Favorites

Favorites stories

Pinball History

Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About America's Pinball Prohibition

The story behind the dark ages of pinball prohibition in America.

Brad Milison · Mar 4, 2024

Tournament Pinball

Volunteers Needed: Why You Should Volunteer as a Scorekeeper for a Pinball Tournament

Top 3 Reasons Why Newcomers to Pinball Should Volunteer as Scorekeepers at Tournaments

Joe Ciaravino · Jan 30, 2024

Pinball 101

Pinball Terms Glossary

This glossary covers a list of pinball terms and phrases commonly used in the hobby.

Colin Alsheimer · Dec 1, 2023

Pinball

Pinball Content Creators Share their Favorite Games And What They Love About Pinball 

30+ pinball content creators share their five favorite games and what they love about pinball!

Colin Alsheimer · Nov 21, 2023

Interviews

How to Take Better Pinball Photos with Jon Geier of Darkroom Pinball

Learn how to take better pinball photos with Jon Geier of @darkroom_pinball on Instagram.

Jon Geier · Nov 15, 2023

Pinball

The Best Pinball Podcasts

Taking a look at some of the best pinball podcasts as we approach the end of 2023.

Colin Alsheimer · Sep 26, 2023

Pinball

Ten Pinball Machines Even Weirder Than You

Every now and again, we see some absolutely insane layouts, designs, or gimmicks which send a machine down in fame - or infamy - for their unusual nature.

James McFatter · Jun 29, 2023

Pinball

Top 10 Pinball Machines of the 2010s

We recently left the 1900s in the past when we released our list of the 20 Best Pinball Machines of the 2000s, and while the first decade of our current millennium had a lot to offer, much like internet speeds and smartphones, the pinball machines in the 2010s got even better. 

Brad Milison · May 25, 2023

Pinball

Ranked: The 20 Best Pinball Machines of the 2000s

Discover the top pinball machines from the 2000s, showcasing innovative gameplay, unique themes, and thrilling challenges that kept the pinball industry alive.

Brad Milison · Apr 18, 2023

Pinball

Everything You Need to Know About Pinball Machine Rental

Are you looking to get into pinball but don't want to commit to buying a machine? Then rent a pinball machine! Find out everything you need to know about pinball machine rental - from the benefits of renting versus buying, to how you can find local distributors and operators that offer rentals.

Colin Alsheimer · Feb 2, 2023

Pinball

The 10 Best Steve Ritchie Pinball Games, Ranked

Steve Ritchie has made some epic games. He's often in the running for best pinball designer of all time, alongside other industry greats like Pat Lawlor, Keith Elwin, Barry Oursler, and others. But which ones stand out as the best of the best? Let's find out.

Colin Alsheimer · Jan 20, 2023

Pinball

44 Best Affordable Used Pinball Machines to Buy in 2024 ($5k or Less)

If you dig deep enough, it's still possible to find the right pinball machine for your collection at a fair price point. We'll help you get started with our roundup of affordable pins.

Colin Alsheimer · Jan 16, 2023

Pinball

The Best Pinball Websites to Feed Your Pinball Obsession

We've put together a list of the best pinball websites on the internet, broken down into easy-to-digest categories. Whether you're looking to dive headfirst into the scene or just want to buy a shiny new machine, we've got you covered.

Colin Alsheimer · Jan 7, 2023

Pinball

Uncut Gems: 21 Best Gottlieb Pinball Machines of the Modern Era

We apply our Pingorithm® rankings to Gottlieb's modern pinball machines.

Colin Alsheimer · Dec 30, 2022

Pinball

A Comprehensive Guide to Pinball for New Players

If you're looking to join the pinball scene, here's your guide! Learn everything from how to get started playing and checking out nearby venues, all the way up through joining passionate online communities for extra help.

Colin Alsheimer · Dec 17, 2022

Pinball

11 Must-Have Pinball Apps For Your Home Screen (Plus 5 Games to Avoid)

If you're a pinball player or collector, these are the must-have pinball apps for your phone or tablet (plus a few apps you can skip for now).

Colin Alsheimer · Dec 13, 2022

Pinball

Are You a Pinball Wizard? Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About a Pinhead's Least Favorite Phrase

Get ready to become a pinball wizard and uncover the secrets of the pinhead's least favorite phrase.

Colin Alsheimer · Dec 7, 2022

Pinball

13 Totally Radical 1970s Era Williams Pinball Machines

Taking a look at 13 totally radical pinball machines produced by Williams Electronics Company from 1970-1979.

Colin Alsheimer · Dec 1, 2022

Pinball

The Best Online Pinball Communities (other than Pinside)

One of the best parts of getting into the pinball scene is discovering the great community behind it. Check out our roundup of the best places to find the pinball community online (besides Pinside.com).

Colin Alsheimer · Nov 11, 2022

Pinball

The 10 Best George Gomez Pinball Machines, Ranked

The pinball world is a small one. If you're in it, you know all the names. And if you know all the names, you probably also know that George Gomez is one of the biggest names in the business. In this post we take a look at his 10 best games before the release of James Bond.

Colin Alsheimer · Oct 28, 2022

Pinball

The 50 Best Pinball Machines of All Time: A Comprehensive Guide

If you're a fan of pinball, then you know that there are some machines that are just better than the rest. They often have high ratings from fans and collectors alike. Here, we will take a look at the highest-rated machines of all time.

Colin Alsheimer · Aug 19, 2022

Pinball

Ranking the 33 Best Pinball Machines from the 1990s

Was there a better decade for pinball and all-time great pinball machines than the 1990s? It feels like almost every year, particularly early and midway through the decade, has multiple total bangers that would be the jewel of a game room collection even today.

Colin Alsheimer · Aug 9, 2022

Pinball

The 27 Best Pinball Machines from the 1980s: A Great Era for Pinball

The 1980s were a great time for pinball. Manufacturers continued the switch from electromechanical machines to solid states, and as a result, some of the best pinball machines ever made were produced during that decade. Here, we will take a look at some of the best pinball machines from the 1980s.

Colin Alsheimer · Jul 25, 2022

Pinball

Ranking The Best Bally Pinball Machines from the 1970s: A Roundup for Arcade and Pinball Fans

When you were growing up, do you remember the hours spent at the local arcade playing your favorite pinball machines? If that's you, and you've still got an eye for the legendary silverball, then you'll love this roundup of the best vintage Bally pinball machines from the 1970s.

Colin Alsheimer · Jul 21, 2022

Pinball

Who Makes Pinball Machines in 2025? A Guide to All the Pinball Manufacturers Making Modern Pinball Games

Despite what you may think, Pinball has never really died. While it is true that Pinball nearly vanished in the 1990s as video gaming were on the upswing, thanks to some determined people, Pinball managed to limp along for a few years before enjoying a resurgence in recent years.

Colin Alsheimer · Jun 21, 2022

Pinball 101

Pinball for Dummies

Everything a beginner needs to know about a pinball machine and starting up a game.

Will Oetting · Aug 4, 2021

Pinball

Understanding the Italian Bottom

In the world of pinball, particularly modern pinball, there tends to be a relatively consistent layout to the lower playfield. This structure of design is commonly referred to as the “Italian Bottom”, but a lot of people do not fully understand what that entails. Indeed, individual definitions can v

Dennis Kriesel · Jan 6, 2020

This Week in Pinball

New to Pinball? A Non-Comprehensive Guide on How to Pinball

Learn how to get started in the pinball hobby!

Jeff Patterson · Dec 13, 2018

This Week in Pinball

A Beginner’s Guide to Pinball Designers

A guide to some of the most popular and important pinball designers of the solid state and electro-mechanical eras.

Dennis Kriesel · Aug 30, 2018

Pinball 101

A Beginner’s Guide to Pinball Manufacturers

Trying to keep track of every manufacturer that ever involved itself in pinball is almost an exercise in futility.

Dennis Kriesel · Jul 12, 2018

Digital Pinball

A Beginner’s Guide to Virtual Pinball

Hello. My name is Chris, and I am a digital pinball junkie.

Chris Friebus · Feb 1, 2018

This Week in Pinball

A Beginner’s Guide to Bingo Pinball

Learn more about Bingo Pinball machines!

Nick Baldridge · Sep 28, 2017