What's new
By:
Pinball info

Register a free account today to become a member! Once signed in, you'll be able to participate on this site by adding your own topics and posts, as well as connect with other members through your own private inbox!

New here

I

imackay

Registered
Joined
Jun 6, 2025
Messages
8
Location
Andover
Hi all!
Iain here, from Hampshire. I’m pretty new to pinball — only really got into it recently after many years away but I’m hooked already. Looking to buy a machine for home with a budget of £2-3k. Any tips for a newbie? Recommended machines I should check out?

Thanks in advance
 
Hi Iain,

Welcome to the forum! Lots of options available within your budget. As mentioned, get along to a club with lots of games to try like Pinball Republic or SWL.

Happy hunting!
 
Hi Iain, in Andover you’re only half an hour from Special When Lit. They have 28 machines from the late 1970s to present day and it’ll only cost you a fiver per hour for unlimited play from 6:30-10:30pm on a Friday. That’s where I started and it really helps you figure out your “taste” in machines and also develops your pinball skills. I would recommend at least a few visits before diving into machine ownership.

Simon
 
Last edited:
Welcome!

It is well worth going along to SWL/PBR as suggested, just because there's loads of machines and a friendly crowd that'll be happy to chat pinball.

Very much a buyer's market at the moment, machines are good value compared to where prices have been so it's a good time to start.

Just be aware that owning just one machine is simply not possible, they multiply!
 
imackay said:
🤣🤣🤣I think my wife will kill me if there's more than one pinball machine in my new Games Room
Click to expand...

The easy answer is to bring her to Special When Lit and find machines that she likes...! His and hers..! :thumbs:

Taxiturn said:
it’ll only cost you a tenner for unlimited play from 6:30-10:30pm on a Friday
Click to expand...

Now changed to £5 for 1 hour (£3 for those 14 years old and under).

Directions at:

Special When Lit – Location

How to get to Special When Lit pinball club
specialwhenlit.co.uk specialwhenlit.co.uk
 
Moonraker said:
The easy answer is to bring her to Special When Lit and find machines that she likes...! His and hers..! :thumbs:



Now changed to £5 for 1 hour (£3 for those 14 years old and under).

Directions at:

Special When Lit – Location

How to get to Special When Lit pinball club
specialwhenlit.co.uk specialwhenlit.co.uk
Click to expand...
Thanks for the pricing update, have edited my post for future reference!
 
Hi Iain,
Welcome…..You are pretty close to me, being just a bit further up the A34. Not much in the way of places to play pinball round us apart from SWL as others have already mentioned. You are also welcome to come round mine if you want to. Just got 1 machine at the moment and another incoming shortly
 
Theres plenty for sale on here within your budget. Delivery wise, dont let the distance put you off. You'll notice Martin the deliveryman mentioned on most posts. He will bring any machine you buy to you for either £110/120, depending on where its coming from. He looks after the machines like they were his own so thats why everyone would rather wait for Martin to collect rather than going for a quicker courier. And if theres something just above your 3k budget, just haggle!

Welcome to the hobby :)

Jason.

www.facebook.com

Retro Logistics - Martin - 07748 521550 Pinball & Arcade Machine Deliveries | Rotherham

Retro Logistics - Martin - 07748 521550 Pinball & Arcade Machine Deliveries, Rotherham. 1,321 likes · 3 talking about this. Personal Collection & Delivery service, specialising in Arcade Video...
www.facebook.com www.facebook.com
 
Ryker said:
Hi Iain,
Welcome…..You are pretty close to me, being just a bit further up the A34. Not much in the way of places to play pinball round us apart from SWL as others have already mentioned. You are also welcome to come round mine if you want to. Just got 1 machine at the moment and another incoming shortly
Click to expand...
Thats very kind Ryker
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom