The Best New Pinball Machines for Your Home Game Room in 2022
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Pinball machines are making a comeback. No longer relegated to arcades and pizza joints, these games are now finding their way into home game rooms across the country. If you're looking to buy a new pinball machine for your home game room, then you're in luck! Here is a roundup of the best new machines, so you can start planning your home game room now!
This list presented in no particular order. They're all fun!
Elvira's House of Horrors is one of the best new pinball machines from Stern. This is the 3rd installment in the Elvira pinball franchise with top notch design by Dennis Nordman and art by Greg Freres. Elvira House of Horrors is also one of the best coded games out there thanks to the work of Lyman Sheats, with a ton of things to do in the game.
There's a lot of flow to the shots, and the modes are intriguing and varied. It'll really give you that "one more play" sensation.
If you're a fan of classic B movie horrors or just haunted houses in general, this machine is a must-have for your home game room. It's a mini haunted world under glass that's sure to provide hours of fun for all ages.
Colin is the chief pixel pusher at Kineticist. He's a lifetime gamer who became enamored with pinball after taking in a family copy of the 1979 classic Joker Poker (the EM version). Since then he's bought, sold and repaired many machines, competed in all kinds of tournaments, and contributes to This Week in Pinball, the New England Pinball League, and Pin-Masters of New England. Previously, Colin spent over a decade working in marketing for agencies and tech startups. He also started and ran a music blog, happy hour website, and wrote a regular craft beer review column for Central Track in Dallas. Once aspired to be an artsy film director.
If you're a fan of sci-fi and action movies, then you'll love the Godzilla pinball machine from Stern. The is one of the best home pinball machines ever designed by Keith Elwin, with a colorful art package by Jeremy Packer (Zombie Yeti) and rules/software by Brett Z. Rubin, Mike Kyzivat, and Rick Naegele.
This pinball machine's best features are its excellent toys (the structure, bridge, and Mechagodzilla), fast play, deep rules, and campy atmosphere. The artwork helps with game immersion and doesn't distract too much from gameplay.
The graphics, music, and gameplay are all excellent. The callouts and voice performances keep you interested, while the smooth game play makes you want to play more. Every lost ball with Godzilla is another chance to learn and improve your gameplay. Likely to be on many top 5 lists for the best new pinball machines released this decade.
Star Wars The Mandalorian is one of the best new pinball machines to buy as it has great sound and music, especially the theme song and call-outs. The game can be brutal but also very satisfying to shoot, and the theme integration is top notch. Mandalorian has interesting gameplay modes with Co-op play and an "impossible mode" that will keep this design fresh and give the game legs to stay in your collection for many years. Absolutely the best Star Wars pinball machine ever made, and it is not very close.
This pinball machine from Jersey Jack Pinball is guaranteed to be a hit in your home game room if you're a fan of Guns N' Roses or rock music in general. With dynamic design elements and an immersive gameplay experience, this equipment is certain to provide hours of fun. Guns N' Roses pinball is ideal for use at home since it encourages players to spend a substantial amount of time developing strategies to maximize their enjoyment. So, crank up the volume and get ready to rock out with this one-of-a-kind pinball machine!
If you're looking for a family friendly, fun, and approachable new pinball machine to add to your home game room, Hot Wheels by American Pinball is a great and highly underrated option. Hot Wheels is a racing themed pinball machine that is fun for just about everyone. Hot Wheels features simple but fast and fun gameplay with a rule-set that's pretty easy to grasp. The spectacular light show and bumping soundtrack adds a lot to enjoy as well.
If you're a fan of the hit Netflix series Stranger Things, then you'll love the Stranger Things pinball machine from Stern. Designed by Brian Eddy, this premium pinball machine features art by Bob Stevlic and rules/software by Brian Eddy, Lonnie D. Ropp, and Mike Vinikour. The game is based on classic machines like Attack from Mars and Medieval Madness. The game features a projector system that's a first for pinball and adds a whole new visual and gameplay element. There's a mode featuring UV lights, and one of the most unique physical ball locks in recent memory. While it can take some fine tuning and adjustments to get playing right, it's worth it once you dial it in.
Pinball fans rejoice, the Medieval Madness remake is one of the best recent pinball machines for your home game room in 2022. The Chicago Gaming Company knocked it out of the park with their 2015 release of this remake of the all-time-great fantasy themed pinball machine. The design by Brian Eddy, with art by Greg Freres and John Youssi, and rules/software by Lyman F. Sheats Jr., offers a lot for both casual players and experienced pinball players alike.
The original Medieval Madness was released in 1997 by Williams Pinball and became an instant classic. The popularity of the game led to it becoming one of the most sought-after pinball machines on the used market, with prices reaching upwards of $8000. The 2015 Medieval Madness Remake by Chicago Gaming Company seeks to bring the game to a new generation of pinball fans at a much more affordable price point. The game features an updated larger display and solid build quality.
Jurassic Park is one of the best pinball machines on the market, released in 2019 by Stern Pinball. The game is designed by Keith Elwin with art by Jonathan Bergeron. The rules and software are done by Rick Naegele.
Jurassic Park is exactly what it sounds like, themed after the ultra-famous movie franchise of the same name. It's an action-packed, adventure-filled game that's perfect for any casual and hardcore pinball fan alike.
One of the best features of this pinball machine (and the primary reason to upgrade from the pro model) are the toys, like the moving T-Rex head. The head is magnetic and picks up the ball, either throwing it around or laying it down into a ramp. It's a great feature that really makes this game stand out.
Jurassic Park pinball is a great game for any level of player, with a deep code and lots of different ways to progress through the game, which makes it perfect to add to a home pinball collection. It can be frustrating to play as some of the shots require precision, but is otherwise utterly engaging.
One thing to note - the base game doesn't include many assets from the original film (like film clips) but you can find code mods in the pinball community that add this into the game if it's important to you.
Monster Bash Remake is a great pinball machine for your home game room in 2022. It's a remake of one of the top ten machines of all time, so deserves a mention as one of the best new machines on the market, and it's sure to give you hours of enjoyment.
Monster Bash is a horror-themed machine with a lot of goofy, quirky humor that is based on the original Williams Monster Bash machine from 1998. It features updated graphics and a larger color DMD display. The game is a great mashup of a Rock and Roll theme and the Universal Monsters. It has some great art and thanks to the expert design work of George Gomez, has that play it again feeling.
Definitely deserving of being in the all-time greats conversation, Monster Bash has to be one of the most approachable pinball tables in history. The ruleset is easy for beginners to pick up on and the theme gives it great appeal to both adults and kids alike. Plus it's just plain fun! Expert players may tire of the limited ruleset faster than newbies, but it's fun to revisit regularly.
If you're looking for a great pinball machine for your home game room, look no further than Monster Bash Remake. It's sure to provide you with hours of entertainment.
If you're looking for a new and exciting pinball machine to add to your home game room and you're a big fan of German beer, carnivals, or just Oktoberfest in general, then you should definitely check out Oktoberfest by American Pinball. Designed by Joe Balcer and illustrated by Jeff Busch, this carnival-themed machine is sure to entertain players of all ages. With a ruleset by Joe Schober and Josh Kugler that features deep gameplay, fun multiballs, and even a one-handed play mode (so you can hold a stein of beer while playing), Oktoberfest is the perfect pinball machine for your next game room purchase.
Oktoberfest is highly underrated and appreciated by those who have spent a lot of time on the table due to its many satisfying challenges, unique ideas, and more. Plus, it's priced very fairly compared to some other modern pinball machines. The gameplay will rarely get old or repetitive, which is about all you can ask for in a pinball machine for a home game room!
If you're a fan of action, comics, and superheroes, then you'll love Deadpool pinball machine. Designed by the legendary George Gomez with art by Zombie Yeti, this game is packed with exciting features and rules that are both approachable and fun. With high replayability, some of the best recent callouts in years (Deadpool is voiced by the great Nolan North of Uncharted fame), and incredibly well done art and animations, Deadpool is a pinball machine that you'll love.
While many have been perfectly happy with the more affordable Pro level trim, the Premium version offers some really subtle but appreciated upgrades, like a full loop return from the left orbit shot, a disco themed mode complete with working disco light, and real standup targets. This is a game that many owners report as being "bolted to the floor" meaning it will probably never leave their game rooms.
Iron Maiden: Legacy of the Beast is a pinball machine designed by Keith Elwin and released in 2018 by Stern. The game is based on the music of the British heavy metal band Iron Maiden, and features their iconic imagery. The layout of the game is fast-paced and refreshing, with repeatable loops and combos that are satisfying to hit.
Elwin's first game, Iron Maiden is accessible and enjoyable for new players while still providing a challenge for more experienced pinball enthusiasts. The Egyptian theme is immersive and fits the style of both the band and the music well. This is an extremely unique shooter that provides an addictive "one more game" feeling. Iron Maiden: Legacy of the Beast is a great addition to any home game room.
If you're a fan of the Avengers (in their comic form, not necessarily the MCU versions), then the Avengers: Infinity Quest Premium pinball machine from Stern is perfect for your home game room. Designed by Keith Elwin with art by Jeremy Packer (Zombie Yeti), this machine is packed with features that will keep you entertained for hours on end. The rules/software was written by Brett Z Rubin, Mike Kyzivat, Raymond Davidson, and Rick Naegele, and the theme is action/comics/superhero.
What makes this machine so great? First of all, it's a shooters game in every sense of the word. Rewards deep rule knowledge and ability to make precise shots in order. Great game to help you learn how to play pinball better. Spend a lot of time on this machine and you'll get better at lots of others.
It's a challenge, but definitely has that one more game appeal. Lots of combo shots in the game that are very satisfying to hit and rack up long chains. Really neat shots between the magnetic Avengers tower lock and the Captain Marvel ramp. One of the best games for a home game room, as it's difficult to get tired playing due to the deep ruleset and general difficulty.
The video animations, callouts, and music can be a slight miss compared to other recent Stern's like Deadpool, but those feel like nitpicks compared to everything else the game offers. The Soul Gem mode, which gives you a limited number of flips to complete, is a very unique mode in pinball. If you like shots that flow from one to the next this is your game.
Wonderfully immersive and bright artwork from Zombie Yeti makes this machine a real standout.
If you're a fan of the Pirates of the Caribbean movie franchise, then you'll love the Pirates of the Caribbean pinball machine from Jersey Jack.
Based on the movies, this pinball machine has all sorts of features and things to do that will keep you entertained for hours on end.
Although it can be tough to find and it's a bit pricey, it's definitely worth it if you can find one for your home game room. Pirates of the Caribbean has one of the best upper playfield designs, with a replica pirate ship that rocks back and forth. There are also tons of different modes to explore and things to do. This pinball machine will appeal to collectors who value unique mechanical gadgets and playfield design. If you're looking for pure pinball fun, then the Pirates of the Caribbean from Jersey Jack is the machine for you.
Pinball machines have come a long way since their inception, and the best new machines for your home game room in 2022 offer an immersive and exciting experience that is sure to please. Whether you're a fan of adventure, fantasy, or pirates, there is a machine out there for you. These modern classics are hard to find and can be expensive, but they are definitely worth the investment for your home game room. So, what are you waiting for? Go out and find the perfect pinball machine for your home game room today!
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