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Hello from Cambs

S

sean

Registered
Joined
Aug 17, 2025
Messages
7
Location
Cambs,UK
Hi all,

Stumbled across your wonderful looking community from.... reddit, I think - can't recall now!

But it looks like a great place to learn and hopefully speak to and meet some of you all in the process

I was actually hoping for some advice... my wife is the one with a huge love of pinball, and I'm considering picking her up a pinball table for Christmas (I do also enjoy them but not quite as much!)

Obviously I'm aware of the ballpark price tag I'm getting myself into here, but beyond that I'm not (yet) very knowledgeable with them

I'm pretty sure she'd only be interested in a "physical" one, rather than a virtual one. I'm obviously keen to get a 'fun' one to play that will be enjoyable for a good stint and ideally something fairly user friendly (if there is such a thing!) - I do have some electrical knowledge, but less so electronics (and my soldering is pretty horrific, but suspect this may improve before long)

I've not given much thought to a budget... less would obviously be nice, but I'm open to consider anything - including new ones potentially (I did see a new x-men pin which she also has a passion for which got me thinking!)

Anyway, thanks for reading if you made it this far, look forward to speaking to you and thanks in advance for any guidance

Sean
 
Theme, theme, theme

Helps a lot.

Xmen the code isn't mature yet and seems to have some issues, but I'm sure it gets sorted
 
Go for a stern spike 2 a modern one, the old ones can be a pain, if you want plug and play stern spike 2 all the way
 
Theme....

From what I've seen available, X-men, Foo Fighters, Stranger Things possible

She's into quite a few comics, though unsure which ones (it's a past passion) and a indie/rock/metal bands

If I bought her a Bond one she'd possibly murder me though :)
 
If you want to stay in modern comic / super hero machines then there are a few options depending on your price point:

- Spider-Man (Stern) - normally sells in the £3-3.5k range, excellent machine

- X-Men (2012) - might be able to find one in the £3.5-4k range, easy to get into a multiball by whacking the big Wolverine toy but it’s not a universally loved machine

- The Avengers (2012) - similar, maybe even a bit cheaper £3k ish

- Deadpool - very popular Spike 2 game but you’re probably more in the £6k sort of range for a Pro

- Avengers Infinity Quest (AIQ) - similar price point to Deadpool, and IMO the gameplay is less accessible than Deadpool

- Uncanny X-Men - this is the new X-Men machine, you’re looking in the upper £6k-7k range for a used Pro, code isn’t complete yet and it was recently overhauled which I’m sure you’ll have read about. Given how sensitive this machine is to setup, probably not great for a first time buy.

You’ve also mentioned Foo Fighters which is a fantastic machine in the region of £6k for a Pro.

Prices quoted should all be taken with a pinch of salt, might move a bit in either direction depending on condition, home use or sited etc
 
Many thanks all for a warm welcome and lots of great info to digest!

I did see pinfest only this morning... Or yesterday, which looks amazing, I may struggle unfortunately given my late knowledge of it but... We'll see

I am also trying to make this a surprise present so, probably gets less subtle if I can somehow shuffle things around haha

Will work on that one the next few days though, see what I could possibly wangle

Thanks again all, will have a proper read through the last few comments tomorrow as not fully digested them this evening
 
I'd echo what that @roadshow16 fellow said, even if you can only make one day of Pinfest (you can pay on the door) - brownie points for surprising your wife by taking her - everyone wins.
 
sean said:
Many thanks all for a warm welcome and lots of great info to digest!

I did see pinfest only this morning... Or yesterday, which looks amazing, I may struggle unfortunately given my late knowledge of it but... We'll see

I am also trying to make this a surprise present so, probably gets less subtle if I can somehow shuffle things around haha

Will work on that one the next few days though, see what I could possibly wangle

Thanks again all, will have a proper read through the last few comments tomorrow as not fully digested them this evening
Click to expand...

It really is amazing Sean, if you can make it happen, it will be so worth it

Have a read about last years event to get a flavour of what it's all about

www.pinballnews.com

UK PINFEST

The major pinball show in the UK is back, as UK Pinfest returns to the Mercure Daventry Court Hotel for another weekend of games, tournaments, social events and talks. The Mercure Daventry Court hotel UK Pinfest began in 2018 and all seven shows have been held at this same venue. The Mercure...
www.pinballnews.com www.pinballnews.com
 
Whereabouts are you in Cambs? There's a few of us in the area - Cambridge, Ely, St Neots, Bedford, etc.

Bring a pack of beers and you're welcome at mine one evening for a chat and some games. And I'd definitely take Andy up on his offer as he has a stunning collection!
 
Fubar said:
Whereabouts are you in Cambs? There's a few of us in the area - Cambridge, Ely, St Neots, Bedford, etc.

Bring a pack of beers and you're welcome at mine one evening for a chat and some games. And I'd definitely take Andy up on his offer as he has a stunning collection!
Click to expand...
You are welcome to join us Thomas. Beers sounds good!
 
Blimey, warmest welcome any where - thanks all

I'm just outside Cambridge on the herts border (Royston near enough) so easy to get to most places you mentioned

Let me work on this weekend, Sunday *might* be possible... though I hope (5 year old) kids are welcome - start them young lol

I keep finding more and more pinball machines and I'm blown away at the options... I can see why this can get addictive and expensive fast - I saw a Stargate one on eBay a while ago (few months) - sort of which I bought that one (theme wise probably more for me than the mrs though hah), for some reason (I fully expect someone to tell me I dodged a bullet now, as it was listed for a while!)

Pinfest does sound like the best place to start though so... will do my best - very much up for some beers in the future though, I don't take much arm twisting on that one

Thanks again all, really appreciate all the messages :)
 
Try to put the feelers out for a machine on here if you decide to go for it and if you do see something elsewhere then come back here and ask for a fair appraisal before parting with your cash. 👍
 
sean said:
Blimey, warmest welcome any where - thanks all

I'm just outside Cambridge on the herts border (Royston near enough) so easy to get to most places you mentioned

Let me work on this weekend, Sunday *might* be possible... though I hope (5 year old) kids are welcome - start them young lol

I keep finding more and more pinball machines and I'm blown away at the options... I can see why this can get addictive and expensive fast - I saw a Stargate one on eBay a while ago (few months) - sort of which I bought that one (theme wise probably more for me than the mrs though hah), for some reason (I fully expect someone to tell me I dodged a bullet now, as it was listed for a while!)

Pinfest does sound like the best place to start though so... will do my best - very much up for some beers in the future though, I don't take much arm twisting on that one

Thanks again all, really appreciate all the messages :)
Click to expand...

Welcome!
There's a good bunch of pinballers in your area, @Nick and @marcgatward live in the Royston area :) Got @Jmac not far off in Bedfordshire.
Later in the year the East Anglian pinball league will start up, that will include a few meets in your area if you're into the social and competitive* scene


*the leagues are mostly a social thing and an excuse to visit peoples collections so don't be put off by the competitive word ;)
 
Welcome Sean. You are doing a good thing here for your Wife, so pull out all the effort to play as many machines as possible and then be prepared to buy more than one ;-).

Honestly, many of us fell into this on our own but you quickly realise it is better with community help. I found the community after I bought a machine for more than I needed to pay, and in worse condition. Advice is therefore very valuable.
People keep saying theme is important, because that is what draws you in. The buzz of having a real machine in your home is going to keep you excited as you learn how to play it, but if you hate the theme, you may lose interest. Even if the game play isn't the best, you will unlikely get bore of it for a while if the theme grabs you.
Take advice on plays well or badly but don't follow what other people like as we all like different things, hence all us here like pinball but won't agree on what is the best machine ever.

Play a lot before you choice, buy from the forum, ask loads of questions and have fun.

You are not far from me either, but I only have 90's machines and no superheros in sight.
 
David_Vi said:
Welcome!
There's a good bunch of pinballers in your area, @Nick and @marcgatward live in the Royston area :) Got @Jmac not far off in Bedfordshire.
Later in the year the East Anglian pinball league will start up, that will include a few meets in your area if you're into the social and competitive* scene


*the leagues are mostly a social thing and an excuse to visit peoples collections so don't be put off by the competitive word ;)
Click to expand...
I’ve been chatting to Sean via dm to get him involved in EAPA and to visit mine
 
Speak to Matt @London pinball (yes he is my husband) we run a family business from the love of pinball!

He will be more then happy to help source a machine for you, deliver and set up if needed.

Welcome to the community but I will stress, you buy one and then you will build a shed and buy 10more!!!!! 😜
 
This forum and all these warnings is starting to feel somewhat akin to the warning on cigarette packets - also wondering if that might be a cheaper hobby :D

Been chatting with Jon in the background per above... thanks Jon !

Thanks Sar and everyone else

Can confirm.......will be heading up on Sunday with the family - I'll be the one who wins... at ending the games the fastest... actually suspect my 5 year old can probably do better than me hah
 
Oh ace, he's a bit shy but I bet he'd love it if I can get him in the mood! Thanks for the heads up
 
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