1. Earliest pinball memory?Would have been back in 1979 when the local dry cleaners closed and a “Pinny Parlour” opened up in its place. I remember as an 8 year old walking past the front door of that place and seeing the machines for the first time and hearing the constant sound of chimes from the EM’s that were in there. So I hassled my dad for the next week to take me down there and let me play!.
I remember walking into the place with my old man and seeing 2 huge rows of pins, some mechanical gun games and those old black and white drivers with the huge steering wheels. I can’t remember exactly what games I played that day, however a memory that sticks out is one game had a playfield that was predominately teal in colour, like Gottlieb Buccaneer or an early 70”s Williams etc.
Anyway, so I’m bashing the ball around not knowing what the hell I’m meant to be shooting for, but I was having a great time. A couple of the older kids gathered around and I remember one of them saying to the other something like “Geez, look at this kid go. He’d kick your arse, mate” So I guess I took to them like a duck to water.
Wasn’t long after that when they got rid of the EM’s and ushered in the early Solid State machines. I have fond memories of Charlies Angels, Dracula, Nugent, Disco Fever, Hot Hand. Then there was Flash and Fire Power which were just amazing!. Of course there was KISS that stood out like the proverbial (more on that later)
Not so fond memories related to the wide bodies of the time like Empire Strikes Back and Stellar Wars. If you wanted to lose your 2 bob in the shortest amount of time, you’d insert it into one of those buggers. I’d like to spend some time on a Stellar Wars again. I have a feeling I’d enjoy it a hell of a lot more now that I can comfortably extend my arms to reach both flippers.
The guy who ran the place went by the name of “Pasco” He never had any consistent opening hours, but he drove a green EH Panel Van, so you’d know if you saw the van in the car park he was open.
I’m pretty sure a local operator out of Fairy Meadow (Suburb of Wollongong) owned the games. I remember they used to bring the machines in on the back of flatbed trucks, heads and legs attached. Crikey!.
So this place lasted up until 1983 when it was replaced by one of those new fangled Video Libraries
All time favourite pin? Why?I’d have to say KISS does it for me. Not so much for the game play as it’s pretty much standard Bally fare from the time. But the overall package is just killer. Amazing Kevin O’Connor art on the playfield, and that backglass!. Wow!. Being a kid with the band touring in 1980 and seeing that backglass all lit up with the chasing K I S S lights was just perfect for it’s time. It’s a pity in some respects that it wasn’t released 12 months later with an upgraded sound package like XENON etc. But it is what it is.
Favourite pinball manufacture?I have a soft spot for Classic Sterns. Back when I was a kid they seemed to give you the best run for your coin compared to some of the drain monsters of the time. In later years I’ve come to appreciate them even more. Being the proud owner of 2 of them as we speak, and noting the Kudos Rollerball received for his awesome playing Stingray. Also the fact that they use the same board set as Bally games from the time helps too.
Favourite game in your collection? Why?I’d have to say my Favourite is STARS by Stern due to the playability of the bugger. It’s an early Solid Sate game with chimes. Pretty basic playfield layout, but man the ball just flows so well on this game, especially with fresh rubber. The late Steve Kirk was the designer, and he went on to design Meteor and Nine Ball. Interestingly enough, all 3 games only used 1 pop bumper.
Stars is a very low scoring game compared to other 6 digit SS games of the time. On mine if you can get over 200k you’re having a good game. It can be very brutal at times, and other times it will let you kick it’s arse. But I think that’s what sucks me in to have “one more go”.
How long have you been collecting?Well I got my first machine when I was 15 (more about that later) However, I started getting into it more back in the mid 90’s with a few DMD’s. Then I reverted back to what I first cut my teeth on. That being late 70’s SS
First game and how did you find it?I was 14 and was bugging the crap out of my parents to get me a pinball for my 15th birthday. My persistence paid off, and they found a Stern Trident in the local paper for $100. This was 1985, so the game was 6 years old at the time and to be honest it was pretty hammered for its age. No mylar on the playfield to speak of, so it had ware around the inserts etc. But it was my very own PINNY!. It was a very exciting time for me.
Do you still have it?No, being a kid, all I wanted to do was play. My dad had limited electronics knowledge (He’s more at home with lawn mowers and the like) so could fix certain problems. But he hated the things “Electricians Nightmare” he used to call it. So eventually it bit the dust. I parted it out. Kept all the mechanicals, boards, and anything else that was easy to store. The cab and stripped playfield went to the tip. By this time the playfield was shot, so no hard feelings there. I still have a bag of parts from the game that come in handy for my current games.
I do have the backglass hanging on the wall in the games room. So that’s a nice reminder of my pinball youth.
What are you currently working on?Not working on any games or anything at the moment. To be honest I’m quite content with what we have right now. We’re more working on little improvements to the game room etc.
Most wanted game to add to your collection?XENON. Wow, talk about an awesome machine. It would look so good sitting next to KISS. You just can’t beat that infinity lighting effect in a dark room. Plus the sounds from this game are excellent. Ooooh, Aaahhh. XENON!
Best all time bargain game added to your collection?Well I wouldn’t call it a bargain. More like a satisfying experience. I used to love Stern Hot Hand when I was a kid. That big revolving flipper at the top of the playfield was a pretty neat “Toy”. So when a non working one came up on eBay a little over 12 months ago I knew I had to have it!. Probably paid over the odds for it being non-working and all, but I knew I could get it working. Just hoped it didn’t need a new MPU or something major.
Anyway. The satisfying part was actually working side by side with my wife Anna who has taken an interest in the silver ball. Sitting together at the kitchen table with the MPU and multi meter in hand doing some basic troubleshooting. After doing a little research and continuity probing with the multi meter, we discovered that one of the legs of the 5101-ram chip wasn’t making proper contact with the socket. So after reseating the chip and putting the board back into the machine, we had a booting game!. Set of new rubber, a good clean up and fine-tuning and she was playing pretty well.
Worst ever miss – tell us about the one that got away!Oh probably an HUO IJ which was won in a competition and was being sold by the original owner for $2k. My mate was gonna give me a ride up to Sydney in his van, but he backed out last minute. Spewing.
Worst ever purchase – tell us about the game you wished you never boughtOK, I know this title has its fans, and I won’t go as far as saying I HATE it.(far from it really) But for me it was Judge Dredd.
Owned it for like 3 months back in the late 90’s and couldn’t gel with it. I loved the art and sound, and the game modes were pretty neat. But talk about a drain monster. Plus the lack of bumpers didn’t help the situation. However, I’d like to give it another chance with the dead world mod.
Describe your collectionKISS, Stars and Hot Hand. All late 70’s solid State games that totally feel different from one another. They are all pretty reliable for the most part. Just general upkeep is enough to keep them humming along. Also the advantage of the 3 games using the same boards is a huge plus.
Describe your gamesroomOur games room is also the computer room, which is basically our spare room. So we have the 3 pins, a Lowboy cab, 3x American Lava Lamps, a commercial grade Gumball Machine, Bundaberg Rum neon clock, Compact fluorescent black light with UV reactive posters of trippy mushrooms, caterpillars etc. 3x framed backglasses. Charlies Angels, Tri Zone and Trident. A “Save water, Drink VB” towel hung on the wall above the pins that is unintentionally black light reactive and looks pretty cool. Plus some other nick knacks here and there. When it’s dark and we have everything switched on, it looks very inviting.
When we have friends or relatives over for game nights, it’s pretty sweet standing back sipping on a beer and watching and listening as everything is being played.
Hopefully in the not too distant future we’ll have a bigger place with dedicated games room. I’d like to add a bar and a PC based jukebox.
Do you have other games other than pinball?Yep, Got hold of a sweet LAI wood grain Lowboy cabinet 6 months ago. Inside is a 48 in 1, single slot Neo Geo with 5 carts, and a Tekken 3 board. Really complements the pins for that true arcade feel.
Where can you see the hobby in 10 years?Well after reading the goings on regarding Stern Pinball over the last couple of months, I think the future as far as new games is unfortunately pretty grim. However, as long as there are likeminded folks with the passion for the silver ball, I think it will continue to survive in some way or another.
My nephews, who have been playing our pins since they were young are in their teens now and still enjoy playing them when they are visiting. I think it’s up to us to pass on the passion to future generations.
Hope you enjoyed my little story. It was fun typing it up
