I've seen some collections that impressed me greatly. Even moreso, the pride in which the collectors revere their machines. Diversity is what I look for in a collection, and I'm impressed with rare games. A niche collection in a niche hobby. My personal collection reflects my history, my memories and the sentimental value more than the cookie collection. My earliest memory was a GTB "Super Score", "Sky Jump" and "showboat". I have my father's Sky Jump - he operated in straight out of the box. Same with a "Spirit of 76". It means the world to me that I own them. I have Bally Bingos - again - operated since new, and recently removed from hibernation. Memories of Williams "Winner" - thanks to a trade with Oscar - I have one. The "golden age" of pinball is well represented - KISS, Paragon (since new), Viking, Medusa, Fathom, Flash Gordon, Eight Ball Deluxe, Xenon, Embryon (thanks Wotto), Centaur (thanks Gavin), Flight 2000 (thanks Marco), Freefall - All games I remember and played as a child. Then there is the infamous GTB SYS80 that were side by side at Flashbacks in 1983 ish - Black Hole, Haunted House and Spirit - and a recently traded Rocky (thanks Oscar). All part of my history.
DMDs were not really my thing, as the operating days were over around the time of Street Fighter II - But I HAD to have a Cirqus Voltaire and I have a Scared Stiff coming. The Walking Dead would be in my collection if the price was right, but for now - I'm happy.
On the journey - I've added Six Sticks - rare as hell - first 6 player game ever made (No - it was not $6MDM), Mariner - for its amazing artwork, Wizard, Nip It and Captain Fantastic because Bally EMs are my favorite. The jewel in the crown is my really nice Fireball.
I'm still looking. Would love to find that Super Score, Touchdown, Showboat, Zodiac, Hayburners.. I game i'd love to own would be "Rocket Ship" as it was the first woodrail imported in the mid fifties that Dad can remember. The schematic is in my library. The machine was some to a collector in St Kilda in the 70's. I will never be able to have THAT particular game, but I 'd like one anyway.
MY collection is diverse - and the most important aspect for me is that each game has a story to tell. As far as I'm concerned - they are all fun players. All pinballs are. That's why I LOVE seeing other people's collections - two games or twenty - I want to know the history and play the game.
One day I'll have them all ready - side by side. It is a dream, and irrespective of the fact I run a business around pinball, it is still something that keeps me focused. I'll do it one day..
