There are many reasons to try virtual pinball, and it has many advantages over the real thing. However, before you go and buy the first virtual pinball machine you see, it\u2019s worth considering what virtual pinball is and the money, time and effort involved in buying or building a virtual machine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What Is A Virtual Pinball Machine?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nVirtual pinball was first introduced back with the Atari in the 1970s<\/strong> when they released a game replicating pinball with a square ball. Since then, there have been many games on multiple platforms that have made their own pinball game spinoffs.<\/p>\n\n\n\nThe Classic Example<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
One of the most well-known virtual pinball games is Space Cadet<\/strong>, which came installed with Windows computers. This was many people\u2019s first experience of pinball, but it was pulled from Windows machines with the advent of Windows Vista. But as tech advanced, so did pinball, and not just real pinball machines. Virtual pinball machines are now built to replicate a real machine<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/pinballcastle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/SpaceCadetPinball.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nThese machines are very desirable for home owners as they are more convenient than traditional machines. Virtual machines can hold hundreds of games, keeping kids (and adults) entertained for hours. Classic titles can now be played without having the actual machine in your house<\/strong>. They tend to be smaller and lighter, with capabilities to customize your own machines and games.<\/p>\n\n\n\nBut just like new pinball machines, they can be very expensive ranging from $5,000-$10,000<\/strong>. Some companies make smaller tabletop versions ranging around $3,000-$6,000<\/strong>. And you can even go smaller with machines that look like mini arcade games for around $1,500-$3,000.<\/p>\n\n\n\nA Lot Of Money<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
These steep prices don\u2019t compare to today\u2019s video game systems, with the latest Xbox and PlayStation consoles costing less than $500<\/strong>, and even a very capable gaming computer can be bought for less than $1000. But these machines replicate the physical movements of a pinball machine with real flipper buttons. Some are even built to have replicated spring plungers and custom lights.<\/p>\n\n\n\nIt makes playing virtual pinball a lot more fun when it feels like you\u2019re playing on a real machine. Alternatively, playing with a controller or even your fingers for phone apps takes away the feel of playing pinball<\/a>. That\u2019s why virtual machines<\/em> are usually far better than simple virtual games<\/em><\/strong>, which you might get on your phone, PC or games console.<\/p>\n\n\n\nAnother advantage of virtual machines is being able to build your own<\/strong>, as there are far fewer parts than with a traditional machine. Even very skilled technicians that fix a lot of pinball machines can\u2019t make their own. So, being able to customize your own virtual machine can also be a big selling point.<\/p>\n\n\n\nCustomizing Virtual Pinball Machines<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nIf your pockets aren\u2019t deep enough to dish out thousands of dollars to get yourself a new machine, there is still a way to get one on the cheap<\/strong>. Building your own virtual pinball machine allows you to choose how big or small it is, along with how it looks and feels to play.<\/p>\n\n\n\nEven if you have a small place you can still make yourself a mini machine for a quarter of the price. It\u2019s also not as complicated as it sounds<\/strong> as long as you have some tech skills and can handle a bit of basic wiring.<\/p>\n\n\n\nFully Customizable<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
The Classic Example<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
One of the most well-known virtual pinball games is Space Cadet<\/strong>, which came installed with Windows computers. This was many people\u2019s first experience of pinball, but it was pulled from Windows machines with the advent of Windows Vista. But as tech advanced, so did pinball, and not just real pinball machines. Virtual pinball machines are now built to replicate a real machine<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n These machines are very desirable for home owners as they are more convenient than traditional machines. Virtual machines can hold hundreds of games, keeping kids (and adults) entertained for hours. Classic titles can now be played without having the actual machine in your house<\/strong>. They tend to be smaller and lighter, with capabilities to customize your own machines and games.<\/p>\n\n\n\n But just like new pinball machines, they can be very expensive ranging from $5,000-$10,000<\/strong>. Some companies make smaller tabletop versions ranging around $3,000-$6,000<\/strong>. And you can even go smaller with machines that look like mini arcade games for around $1,500-$3,000.<\/p>\n\n\n\n These steep prices don\u2019t compare to today\u2019s video game systems, with the latest Xbox and PlayStation consoles costing less than $500<\/strong>, and even a very capable gaming computer can be bought for less than $1000. But these machines replicate the physical movements of a pinball machine with real flipper buttons. Some are even built to have replicated spring plungers and custom lights.<\/p>\n\n\n\n It makes playing virtual pinball a lot more fun when it feels like you\u2019re playing on a real machine. Alternatively, playing with a controller or even your fingers for phone apps takes away the feel of playing pinball<\/a>. That\u2019s why virtual machines<\/em> are usually far better than simple virtual games<\/em><\/strong>, which you might get on your phone, PC or games console.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Another advantage of virtual machines is being able to build your own<\/strong>, as there are far fewer parts than with a traditional machine. Even very skilled technicians that fix a lot of pinball machines can\u2019t make their own. So, being able to customize your own virtual machine can also be a big selling point.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If your pockets aren\u2019t deep enough to dish out thousands of dollars to get yourself a new machine, there is still a way to get one on the cheap<\/strong>. Building your own virtual pinball machine allows you to choose how big or small it is, along with how it looks and feels to play.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Even if you have a small place you can still make yourself a mini machine for a quarter of the price. It\u2019s also not as complicated as it sounds<\/strong> as long as you have some tech skills and can handle a bit of basic wiring.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\nA Lot Of Money<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Customizing Virtual Pinball Machines<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Fully Customizable<\/h3>\n\n\n\n