Virtual pin options in the UK

[ballsports]

I'm looking to get into pinball after falling in love with the Stern Godzilla 70th anniversary.

I don't think I'm quite ready to drop the money required on one of those, especially having never owned or maintained a pinball machine before.

So I started to research virtual pins, see lots of impressive builds. I'd love to build one but I can't find any premade cabinets of the right size and I'm no woodworker, nor do I have the space to do woodwork.

I've seen prebuilt options (I only know of Pinballia, formerly ArcadeLand) seen mixed reviews on those, the price runs up to 6k pretty quickly if you want 4k/100hz+, mechanical plunger, solenoids and LEDs.

Saw the AtGames Legends AFM (not available in UK currently) but I love the skin on this and am quite tempted by it, 2k for everything above except 60fps. I know the downside here is it runs worse software. But the difference between 2k and 6k is steep and a separate gaming computer fits within that budget. I'm in love with the Xtreme Gaming ones I've seen from Australia but I'm not ready to throw 10k and wait 2 years just yet.

I just want some general advice, I know a lot of you will be inclined to hate on the AtGames but try to understand where I'm coming from. When you're deep in a hobby it's different to someone just coming in.

That being said I do like the idea of VPX more. I'd love to have an AtGames equivalent that ran that at 120hz but without prebuilt cabinetry it's a non starter for me.

 

[DeadPin]

I'm in the same boat as you. I would love to have a machine at home but I would have no knowledge if any problems occurred and plus I think I would get bored having just the 1 machine. That's why I am looking towards a virtual pin. I can get all the games I want and only taking up the space of 1 machine. I would say your best bet is to look on facebook marketplace as these do come up and alot cheaper than buying new.

 

[AlanJ]

For me, virtual pinball just isnt real pinball - I'd go for a real machine any day - when you have mastered it (if you ever do) or more likely when you get bored of it - trade it to get a different game, rinse...repeat....

 

[ballsports]

For me, virtual pinball just isnt real pinball - I'd go for a real machine any day - when you have mastered it (if you ever do) or more likely when you get bored of it - trade it to get a different game, rinse...repeat....

I live close to the libertygames showroom so I will go there and hopefully get to try some different ones. I can respect this point of view, but I'm not really willing to put in the work for that at the moment. I'm sure I'll buy the Godzilla I want (or maybe Jurassic Park) at some point in the future but for now I just want to try everything, see if I still love it in a couple years before I go any deeper.

 

[ballsports]

I'm thinking the 32inch 4k fully loaded from Pinballia for around 4k might be my best bet, but I'd love to hear some people's thoughts on their stuff. I don't know much about graphics cards but the 4060ti sounds like it should be up to snuff to deliver a lag free experience?

I'd also need to find some good high quality artwork for the sides, not sure if anyone knows the best place to source that? I'd love a Stern Jurassic Park Pro, Star Wars Pro, Star Wars Data East or Creature from the Black Lagoon.

 

[cmrl9]

If it's any help modern stern machines are rock solid, it's rare to even lift the playfield on some. If it's home use only and from new almost zero issues. Issues tend to happen if it's been on site or your unlucky.
Your more likely to have issues with a pc build virtual pin than you are with a Godzilla. Pinball heaven and retro arcade supply a two year warranty for piece of mind. Both those companies actually have a real warranty and are great to deal with. Be cautious with some others.

Appreciated a new one is silly money

Modern spike 2 Pinball machines underneath look scary but the reality is the maintenance is pretty simple, if you can deal with building and maintaining a virtual pin with a little guidance a real pin that is modern spike 2 won't be a problem, now an older on, 90's etc will be a pain in the ### at some point

Good luck

 

[ballsports]

If it's any help modern stern machines are rock solid, it's rare to even lift the playfield on some. If it's home use only and from new almost zero issues. Issues tend to happen if it's been on site or your unlucky.
Your more likely to have issues with a pc build virtual pin than you are with a Godzilla. Pinball heaven and retro arcade supply a two year warranty for piece of mind. Both those companies actually have a real warranty and are great to deal with. Be cautious with some others.

Appreciated a new one is silly money

Modern spike 2 Pinball machines underneath look scary but the reality is the maintenance is pretty simple, if you can deal with building and maintaining a virtual pin with a little guidance a real pin that is modern spike 2 won't be a problem, now an older on, 90's etc will be a pain in the ### at some point

Good luck

Just seen the Looney Tunes pinball at pinball heaven and it is beautiful. More than I want to spend right now. Really wish I hadn't seen it.

 

[ballsports]

Cabinet art designed ready for when I take the plunge

 

[antlet2]

Re: pinballia, pasting my comment from the other thread.
Mine should arrive in 2 weeks.
I'd suggest going up to stoke and taking a look, that's the best way to choose.

Hey,
I went up to there unit in Stoke and checked the 32inch and full sized 4k models. The build quality was good, tidy and the machine played well with no lag and it felt and seemed like good quality screens/components etc.
There was no lag on the board/monitors etc and everything loaded promptly.

The company were very responsive and seemed genuinely nice and caring, which is the main thing for me. I also checked out some of the facebook groups and I saw lots of good feedback/videos etc of individuals being happy with their cabinets.

I ended up ordering the 4k full size cabinet with the extra led's and third topper. With all the solenoids, knockers, blower, exciters etc it made virtual pinball much more fun than when I played this previously years ago.
The sound was also very good, nice speakers, subwoofer etc

 

[ballsports]

Re: pinballia, pasting my comment from the other thread.
Mine should arrive in 2 weeks.
I'd suggest going up to stoke and taking a look, that's the best way to choose.

Hey,
I went up to there unit in Stoke and checked the 32inch and full sized 4k models. The build quality was good, tidy and the machine played well with no lag and it felt and seemed like good quality screens/components etc.
There was no lag on the board/monitors etc and everything loaded promptly.

The company were very responsive and seemed genuinely nice and caring, which is the main thing for me. I also checked out some of the facebook groups and I saw lots of good feedback/videos etc of individuals being happy with their cabinets.

I ended up ordering the 4k full size cabinet with the extra led's and third topper. With all the solenoids, knockers, blower, exciters etc it made virtual pinball much more fun than when I played this previously years ago.
The sound was also very good, nice speakers, subwoofer etc

Thanks I might have to take a trip up there then. One thing I was worried about is the screens looked a bit washed out in the videos but I was hoping that was just their camera settings for the videos (especially when not head on). I presume they didn't look washed out at all in person?

Did they have a good illusion of depth to them? And did the solenoids make it feel like a ball was rolling around?

 

[antlet2]

Thanks I might have to take a trip up there then. One thing I was worried about is the screens looked a bit washed out in the videos but I was hoping that was just their camera settings for the videos (especially when not head on). I presume they didn't look washed out at all in person?

Did they have a good illusion of depth to them? And did the solenoids make it feel like a ball was rolling around?

I haven't seen any other vpins but the quality of the monitor was really good.
It was a 4k screen and felt pretty close to a real machine.
They had a 32 inch 4k there as well and the clarity of the tables was bright and captive.

The ssf and solenoids etc definitely added to the feel and made it more fun to play. I played a vpin about 15 years ago and it just felt like playing a computer game. I wouldn't say it feels just like a real table but it's atleast 80% there and also fun to play, it has all the whizzy pup packs, matrix, flashing led's, blower and sirens.
I reallly couldn't deal with owning a real table, all the expense, getting bored of it after 6 months , then having to trade it out or store more of the tables, then all the maintenance for the older tables or things just not quite working.
I'll let you.know how.it turns out, I am hoping this will scratch the itch, otherwise at worst case I might just get one real pin to switch out every few years

We played there for over 30 minutes on a range of tables to try and get a good feel for it. I mainly played stranger things and addams family. The full size one felt that much more real due to the size, it also has more solenoids etc so i decided to pay the extra.

 

[Pick Holder]

Re: pinballia, pasting my comment from the other thread.
Mine should arrive in 2 weeks.
I'd suggest going up to stoke and taking a look, that's the best way to choose.

Be interesting to know if it is on time.

@ballsports - I would not really take notice of videos showing monitors. It all depends on what they look like in the flesh. There is a lot of variables when attempting to capture screens.

I have seen a recent build of theirs a couple of weeks ago and it was not bad. But it did seem a little expensive. I think in my mind it was a grand overpriced but it depends what the backup service is like.

 

[ballsports]

Be interesting to know if it is on time.

@ballsports - I would not really take notice of videos showing monitors. It all depends on what they look like in the flesh. There is a lot of variables when attempting to capture screens.

I have seen a recent build of theirs a couple of weeks ago and it was not bad. But it did seem a little expensive. I think in my mind it was a grand overpriced but it depends what the backup service is like.

Thanks, I realised they probably didn't light balance the videos correctly, just wanted to ask from someone who saw them first hand.

I worked out the cost of the components and realised that it was expensive but to be honest there aren't a lot of options in the UK and others are more expensive and seem worse quality and by the time I buy an old cabinet and all the componentry I'm not too far off but I'd have to build it too and would do a worse job most likely.

What do you mean by the backup service? As in ongoing support?

Also which build did you see?

 

[ballsports]

I haven't seen any other vpins but the quality of the monitor was really good.
It was a 4k screen and felt pretty close to a real machine.
They had a 32 inch 4k there as well and the clarity of the tables was bright and captive.

The ssf and solenoids etc definitely added to the feel and made it more fun to play. I played a vpin about 15 years ago and it just felt like playing a computer game. I wouldn't say it feels just like a real table but it's atleast 80% there and also fun to play, it has all the whizzy pup packs, matrix, flashing led's, blower and sirens.
I reallly couldn't deal with owning a real table, all the expense, getting bored of it after 6 months , then having to trade it out or store more of the tables, then all the maintenance for the older tables or things just not quite working.
I'll let you.know how.it turns out, I am hoping this will scratch the itch, otherwise at worst case I might just get one real pin to switch out every few years

We played there for over 30 minutes on a range of tables to try and get a good feel for it. I mainly played stranger things and addams family. The full size one felt that much more real due to the size, it also has more solenoids etc so i decided to pay the extra.

Thanks this is really helpful, I will take a trip to the showroom but as it's a few hours away you've given me the confidence it won't be a wasted journey.

 

[antlet2]

Thanks this is really helpful, I will take a trip to the showroom but as it's a few hours away you've given me the confidence it won't be a wasted journey.

I was the same as you as it's over 2h+ away.
We decided to go to alton towers for the weekend and then I popped in there on the way home, one option if you have kids.
I don't doubt I could build one cheaper, I think it depends how much you value your time. I am not that good at woodwork to get the finish I desire. Even applying the side art would take practise.

Incidentally I saw a stranger things one that looked amazing by an australian company. That's around 10k , plus all the shipping hassle.
Art work is so good -

 

[ballsports]

I was the same as you as it's over 2h+ away.
We decided to go to alton towers for the weekend and then I popped in there on the way home, one option if you have kids.
I don't doubt I could build one cheaper, I think it depends how much you value your time. I am not that good at woodwork to get the finish I desire. Even applying the side art would take practise.

Incidentally I saw a stranger things one that looked amazing by an australian company. That's around 10k , plus all the shipping hassle.
Art work is so good -

Oh yeah I've seen their stuff it looks amazing, huge waiting list though and more than I want to spend before shipping currently but those are some of the best virtual pin tables in the world I'm led to believe.

 

[ldx]

I suspect you're already aware, but there was a Pinballia 32" machine advertised on this site last month in the 'machines for sale' forum (still for sale I think). It's 1080p rather than 4k but had the solenoids and leds etc.

Would be nice to keep it in the community. Then in a year's time I might be able to afford it

 

[Pick Holder]

The build I saw was the one that was £6.5K - I think my last build was under £4K for a 4k system - but the monitor I used was not as fast as the ones they use.

Like I said - it was okay.

What I mean by back up is it is easy for someone who gets a vpin to mess stuff up in the software - or windows update equally does this. Some copies offer a way of them dialing in remotely to get the system working. As a rule I would recommend anyone to ghost your hard drive!

It is also weird as a 'certain company' who may or may not be mentioned here also seems to sell the vpins with unlicensed copies of Pinball FX3 installed.

The reason why their are not many UK companies making vpins is there is not the demand. I looked at setting something up but (at the time) the most people wanted to spend on a vpin was a couple of grand. Nowadays it is a lot more expensive as the hobby demands better hardware. The guys in stoke have CNC router facilities and the machines do most people.

Would I sink £6.5K in a vpin? The answer is NO! A massive no. I would buy a used 1080 one for £2K and upgrade it over time, along with a real pinball. You can get a cracking real pinball for £3K. You will walk with change in your pocket. But you would end up playing the real game over the vpin I reckon!

I also find the having 1000+ tables a waste of time. You end up playing a couple of balls on a game and hitting the quit button. I currently have a jukebox with over 3 million songs on it - but I use my vinyl jukebox with 100 singles in more. Too much choice is pointless.

Presently - I actually enjoy playing my old stock Ultrapin made in 2007 more than any other vpin I have owned. Comes with 12 games and I love 9 of them.

 

[Pick Holder]

Thanks this is really helpful, I will take a trip to the showroom but as it's a few hours away you've given me the confidence it won't be a wasted journey.

To be fair - your only other options at the moment is to buy one used, or do it yourself

I suspect you're already aware, but there was a Pinballia 32" machine advertised on this site last month in the 'machines for sale' forum (still for sale I think). It's 1080p rather than 4k but had the solenoids and leds etc.

Would be nice to keep it in the community. Then in a year's time I might be able to afford it

The seller did not post the spec of the PC. He went a little quiet.
Also as it is computer hardware and not really a 'pinball' - I suspect his price was too high. Let's face it - you are buying PC equipment in a fancy box. It was 6 months old but try selling a used computer 6 months old - I bet you wont get 40% of its value as it wont come with a warranty. I would say £1500 is a more likely price he will end up with getting in todays climate and at that cost it may be a good way for @ballsports to start off.
You either like vpins or you do not. If you like them, you keep hold of it for a good while. But I do know people who email me after owning one for 3 months wanting to sell it back to me so I can resell it on.
The novelty can wear off.

If you go to stoke - do not sign on the dotted line! Have a think about it. No matter how many times they tell you 'we are running out of slots for xmas delivery' etc.

 

[Doggard]

I sincerely hope Pinballia”s customer service has improved. I bought a vpin from them 4 years ago, it had issues from day one. To start with they were very helpful, but within the first 3 months, i had more problems with it. It was as mostly problems with dmd”s out of place, and fx3 tables all messed up. In the end the correspondence dried up, and I got radio silence. I had to do my homework, use forums and Facebook groups to get it working correctly.

 

[SeikoKid]

For Sale Thread 'Pinballia Virtual Pin 32 inch deluxe (8months old)'

24:23+0100" data-timestamp="1726734263" data-date="Sep 19, 2024" data-time="9:24 AM" data-short="Sep '24" title="Sep 19, 2024 at 9:24 AM">Sep 19, 2024

Fully loaded machine with every extra possible. Over 900 tables. As new with not a mark on it.

3 screens
Lowered screen playfield for more realistic feel
Adjustable speakers
10 x interactive internal solenoids
544 interactive leds
Full size legs
Real plunger and nudge

These are 3/4 quarter size of proper machine so obviously take up a bit less space and a lot lighter.
Plays great and the family love it. A great bonus with these are being able to play them silent.
I have plenty videos of the machine i can send.
New boat is the reason i am selling.
£1900 ( over £600 saving )

• Montu32
• Replies: 11
• Forum: Machines for Sale / Wanted / Trade

 

[ballsports]

For Sale Thread 'Pinballia Virtual Pin 32 inch deluxe (8months old)'

24:23+0100" data-timestamp="1726734263" data-date="Sep 19, 2024" data-time="9:24 AM" data-short="Sep '24" title="Sep 19, 2024 at 9:24 AM">Sep 19, 2024

Fully loaded machine with every extra possible. Over 900 tables. As new with not a mark on it.

3 screens
Lowered screen playfield for more realistic feel
Adjustable speakers
10 x interactive internal solenoids
544 interactive leds
Full size legs
Real plunger and nudge

These are 3/4 quarter size of proper machine so obviously take up a bit less space and a lot lighter.
Plays great and the family love it. A great bonus with these are being able to play them silent.
I have plenty videos of the machine i can send.
New boat is the reason i am selling.
£1900 ( over £600 saving )

• Montu32
• Replies: 11
• Forum: Machines for Sale / Wanted / Trade

Thanks for linking, if it came down in price I'd consider it but I do have my heart set on 4k 120hz at moment

 

[ballsports]

To be fair - your only other options at the moment is to buy one used, or do it yourself

The seller did not post the spec of the PC. He went a little quiet.
Also as it is computer hardware and not really a 'pinball' - I suspect his price was too high. Let's face it - you are buying PC equipment in a fancy box. It was 6 months old but try selling a used computer 6 months old - I bet you wont get 40% of its value as it wont come with a warranty. I would say £1500 is a more likely price he will end up with getting in todays climate and at that cost it may be a good way for @ballsports to start off.
You either like vpins or you do not. If you like them, you keep hold of it for a good while. But I do know people who email me after owning one for 3 months wanting to sell it back to me so I can resell it on.
The novelty can wear off.

If you go to stoke - do not sign on the dotted line! Have a think about it. No matter how many times they tell you 'we are running out of slots for xmas delivery' etc.

I've sank far too many hours already into Attack From Mars on my phone so I can only imagine how much better it would be on a cabinet.

And yeah as you said I'd want a fair chunk of change off that one before considering it.

 

[ballsports]

I sincerely hope Pinballia”s customer service has improved. I bought a vpin from them 4 years ago, it had issues from day one. To start with they were very helpful, but within the first 3 months, i had more problems with it. It was as mostly problems with dmd”s out of place, and fx3 tables all messed up. In the end the correspondence dried up, and I got radio silence. I had to do my homework, use forums and Facebook groups to get it working correctly.

That's disconcerting, were the issues software or hardware related?

I'm a software engineer by trade so I can deal with most software issues.

 

[Pick Holder]

That's disconcerting, were the issues software or hardware related?

I'm a software engineer by trade so I can deal with most software issues.

If I was paying over £5K for a Vpin I would expect them to sort it out.

Most things are software but as anyone with computer knowledge knows you can say get a dodgy stick of ram (or other hardware) that will throw weird errors up!

If you understand the software then I would seriously look at making one yourself. This is what puts most people off.

I sincerely hope Pinballia”s customer service has improved. I bought a vpin from them 4 years ago, it had issues from day one. To start with they were very helpful, but within the first 3 months, i had more problems with it. It was as mostly problems with dmd”s out of place, and fx3 tables all messed up. In the end the correspondence dried up, and I got radio silence. I had to do my homework, use forums and Facebook groups to get it working correctly.

This is sadly what I have heard. I generally turn down work on vpins but I have got plenty of calls about the company under the previous name.

I know construction has improved but after making so many you would expect it.

You do not usually know if someone has a good backup service until you use it.

If I had access to a CNC machine then maybe I would build some, at the prices that are being charged now it seems their is good profit margins.

 

[ballsports]

If I was paying over £5K for a Vpin I would expect them to sort it out.

Most things are software but as anyone with computer knowledge knows you can say get a dodgy stick of ram (or other hardware) that will throw weird errors up!

If you understand the software then I would seriously look at making one yourself. This is what puts most people off.




This is sadly what I have heard. I generally turn down work on vpins but I have got plenty of calls about the company under the previous name.

I know construction has improved but after making so many you would expect it.

You do not usually know if someone has a good backup service until you use it.

If I had access to a CNC machine then maybe I would build some, at the prices that are being charged now it seems their is good profit margins.

The main reason not to build one for me is sourcing a cabinet. I don't have the space, tools or know how to make good cabinetry and there are no flat pack options in the UK I can see (a 27 inch one but is want 32 inch minimum).

Otherwise I'd give it a crack seems like a fun project.

 

[Snux]

I'm planning to take some pics and put my vpin up for sale next week. 43 inch 4k main screen, 2 other monitors in backbox. Reinstalled Pinup and started to put tables on it, but decided it wasn't my thing. Will post it with full specs and pics in a few days.

 

[ballsports]

I'm planning to take some pics and put my vpin up for sale next week. 43 inch 4k main screen, 2 other monitors in backbox. Reinstalled Pinup and started to put tables on it, but decided it wasn't my thing. Will post it with full specs and pics in a few days.

Nice. Give me a ping when it's up. Is it homemade?

 

[Action Andy]

I've ordered a 32", 3 screen from Pinballia with all extras apart from the LEDs as I don't see the point in having them as all they do is cause light reflections and get in the way of the screen. It came on wednesday and for £2300 I reckon it's worth that price. I don't think 4k is necessary for a Vpin considering its basically double the price I paid, I work in video production so know the difference. However, my machine came with a broken fire top button and issues with the custom artwork I'd had done. Pinballia were good at sorting and the next day had it picked up at their cost and it's coming back to me this wednesday. Not ideal situation but I'll give them the benefit of the doubt.

The guys are very approachable, but you're always better off calling them, or popping in to see them rather than emailing I find. I wouldn't want to pay more than what I paid, and I appreciate that they need to make a profit on their machines but regardless, I don't have the space, tools, or time/ability to make a vpin myself so that's what I'm paying for. I see vpin as an adjacent hobby to actual pinball so I'm trying to learn how to work the software myself as I only expect pinballia to give me a certain amount of customer service then I'm on my own with a system that I hopefully will be able to modify the software on by myself.

From what I saw it has a lot of tables I'll use and a lot I won't. The machine is plug and play, but vpins will always require a bit of messing around if you want things to be optimal. My plan is to favourite everything I want to play, then check the software details of those particular tables to make sure I have the best versions of them available while I expect Pinballia will still be able to help me with any issues. Then I'll look at adding a few more tables. After that I don't see many reasons to mess around with the back end that much. I prefer playing recreations of actual tables, mostly 90s stuff, and they're all on there, so once they're all working I'll be happy to just play them rather than getting in the habit of constantly updating stuff.

In an ideal world I'd have 4 or 5 machines that I'd occasionally swap out (my wife and my have a dream lineup of: Monster Bash/CFTBL/The Shadow/Big Lebowski/ and either scared stiff or house of horrors), but even with actual pinball machines you expect to have to do some maintenance. I unfortunately can't afford actual pinball machines, don't have ANY friends that are into pinball (I'm more of a modern board gamer socially) and all my dream machines are more expensive than this Vpin so this is my compromise. It's not perfect but even if I could afford a real pinball machine and had the space for one I'd see a space for it alongside a vpin machine.

 

[ballsports]

I've ordered a 32", 3 screen from Pinballia with all extras apart from the LEDs as I don't see the point in having them as all they do is cause light reflections and get in the way of the screen. It came on wednesday and for £2300 I reckon it's worth that price. I don't think 4k is necessary for a Vpin considering its basically double the price I paid, I work in video production so know the difference. However, my machine came with a broken fire top button and issues with the custom artwork I'd had done. Pinballia were good at sorting and the next day had it picked up at their cost and it's coming back to me this wednesday. Not ideal situation but I'll give them the benefit of the doubt.

The guys are very approachable, but you're always better off calling them, or popping in to see them rather than emailing I find. I wouldn't want to pay more than what I paid, and I appreciate that they need to make a profit on their machines but regardless, I don't have the space, tools, or time/ability to make a vpin myself so that's what I'm paying for. I see vpin as an adjacent hobby to actual pinball so I'm trying to learn how to work the software myself as I only expect pinballia to give me a certain amount of customer service then I'm on my own with a system that I hopefully will be able to modify the software on by myself.

From what I saw it has a lot of tables I'll use and a lot I won't. The machine is plug and play, but vpins will always require a bit of messing around if you want things to be optimal. My plan is to favourite everything I want to play, then check the software details of those particular tables to make sure I have the best versions of them available while I expect Pinballia will still be able to help me with any issues. Then I'll look at adding a few more tables. After that I don't see many reasons to mess around with the back end that much. I prefer playing recreations of actual tables, mostly 90s stuff, and they're all on there, so once they're all working I'll be happy to just play them rather than getting in the habit of constantly updating stuff.

In an ideal world I'd have 4 or 5 machines that I'd occasionally swap out (my wife and my have a dream lineup of: Monster Bash/CFTBL/The Shadow/Big Lebowski/ and either scared stiff or house of horrors), but even with actual pinball machines you expect to have to do some maintenance. I unfortunately can't afford actual pinball machines, don't have ANY friends that are into pinball (I'm more of a modern board gamer socially) and all my dream machines are more expensive than this Vpin so this is my compromise. It's not perfect but even if I could afford a real pinball machine and had the space for one I'd see a space for it alongside a vpin machine.

Thanks for the info Andy.

I see you supplied custom cabinet artwork. What resolution did you send this in at? 300DPI?

What issue did you have with the printed vinyl if you don't mind my asking? I am planning to go down that route too.