Episode 21 - EXPO PREVIEW w/ Rob Berk (Founder) and Aaron Davis (Fast Pinball)
Episode 21 - EXPO PREVIEW w/ Rob Berk (Founder) and Aaron Davis (Fast Pinball)
1 hr 30 min listen
BIG BIG BIG Episode today! Whether you are heading to Chicago for Expo in a couple weeks or not, it's a must listen. First we have Mr. Rob Berk, who founded Chicago Pinball Expo in 1985, and is now celebrating its 42nd year. Oh, he also owns 1200 pinball machines (The Guinness World Record). Rob breaks down the history of Expo, what's happening this year, and of course tells some amazing stories. Then we have the "nicest guy in pinball" Aaron Davis, CEO of Fast Pinball, who's products are a huge part of the Home Brew side of pinball, which is one of the coolest and most interesting parts of Expo. Aaron breaks down what we can expect of the more than 50 (!!!!) home brew games expected at this years Expo. Need tickets for the show?? head to and we will see you there! Nudge has a booth with free Nudgecast stickers, and ALL FIVE issues of the magazine available. Come say hi!
Kineticist’s take
Pinball Expo 2025 preview with founder Rob Burke and Fast Pinball's Aaron Davis on 50 homebrews, tournament, and industry history.
Synopsis
NudgeCast Episode 21 features an Expo preview discussion with hosts Ian Jacoby and Shane Told, covering Nudge Magazine five-year anniversary and Pinball Expo logistics. Guest Rob Burke (Expo founder) discusses the event's 40-year history, his family business background, and the origins of Pinball Expo in 1985. Guest Aaron Davis from Fast Pinball details the homebrew section expansion to 50 games and a new homebrew tournament format. The hosts discuss anticipated homebrew games (Akira, Big Trouble in Little China, Saw, Hellraiser, Star Wars Pod Racing) and speculate on potential licensed themes.
Entities
- Burke Enterprises· company
- Fast Pinball· company
- Nudge Magazine· company
- Silverstein· company
- Pinball Expo· event
- Akira· game
- Big Trouble in Little China· game
- Hellraiser· game
- Saw· game
- Aaron Davis· person
- Alvin Gottlieb· person
- Bowen Kerins· person
- Brian Allen· person
- Harvey Heiss· person
- Ian Jacoby· person
- Keanu Reeves· person
- Keith Elwin· person
- Norm Clark· person
- Rob Burke· person
- Shane Told· person
- Steve Kordek· person
- Ty Siegel· person
- Wayne Neyens· person
- Past Times Arcade· venue