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VIA MERCHANTThe Haunted House 3D digital pinball machine comes with 12 themes in one machine, making it the most versatile pinball table available right now. Despite its name, there are more than just horror themes available and some of the games date back to the 1970s, such as the pinball classic “Jacks Open.” You’ll get an authentic-feeling playing experience and the ability to pause your game if you need to eat dinner or want to watch your friends’ ping pong match.
Customer reviewers noted there’s a slight delay between when you press the haptic flipper button and when the flipper goes up, so you’ll have to adjust your reflexes just a little bit.
Pros
- 12 games in one machine
- Lighter than most digital pinball machines
- Records all high scores
- Allows you to pause your game
Cons
Slight flipper delay
What to Look for When Buying a Pinball Machine
Shopping for the best digital pinball machine is not too different than looking for a high-quality traditional pinball machine. You’ll want a machine that’s fun to play and replayable, and looks good.
Playing Field
As someone who spent much of his childhood emptying his piggy bank into pinball machines, the first thing I looked for is a dynamic playing field. This means finding a “table” with multiple targets and ramps, mini games and missions, multi-ball options and more.
Real-Feel Gameplay
With digital pinball, you’ll want a high-quality machine with responsive controls to avoid any “lag.” There’s nothing worse than hitting the flippers and having to see your ball go down because they didn’t go up in time. Along the same lines, look for machines that provide real-feel playback that makes it seem like you’re using a traditional pinball machine.
Games
One of the advantages of digital pinball is you can switch from game to game, so find a machine with themes you like and make sure there’s enough to keep you entertained for a while.
Licensing
If your pinball machine has themes from a TV show, movie or book, make sure it’s licensed by the appropriate copyright holder to ensure you’re buying a legally made pinball machine.
Why You Should Trust Us
As someone who grew up in the 1990s, pinball machines are something I have a lot of experience with. My parents would hand me a few dollars, which I’d promptly turn into quarters and spend hours playing every pinball machine I could get my hands on. Not only that, I’m a shopping expert and editor who spends hours researching products and customer reviews to find the best products for your game room. I’ve written guides on the best dart boards, foosball tables and more.
We Flipped Through Almost Every (Digital) Pinball Machine
Finding the best pinball machines wasn’t easy and, unfortunately, it didn’t involve spending time in an arcade. Since traditional pinball machines cost thousands of dollars, we had to look into a more affordable option: digital pinball machines. These machines are relatively new, so we were able to research just about every model available.
Our preference went to digital pinball tables with themes from the good old days because it made them feel like the real deal. We also researched mini pinball tables for children or those in compact spaces. We finalized our list after looking at dozens of customer reviews and looking at things like how well the buttons respond to players, special features, gameplay and whether they were officially licensed.
FAQ
What is the most produced pinball machine?
The best-selling pinball machine is The Addams Family machine from Bally, which sold more than 20,000 units in the 1990s. You can only find it on the secondary market, and it often sells for more than $12,000.
When should I replace my pinball balls?
It depends on how often you play. Frequent players should replace their pinball balls every six months while more casual players can wait for up to two years. Replace your balls when they look beat up or in poor condition, or start behaving in a weird way, such as not rolling as smoothly as they did when you first used them.
Do pinball machines need maintenance?
Traditional pinball machines require a lot of maintenance due to the hundreds of moving parts and electronics. These repairs are often costly and require finding a specialist repairman. Digital pinball machines, however, require much less maintenance.
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