Pinball Machines
A pinball machine is an electromechanical game that uses electricity to control mechanisms such as score reels and drop targets. With practice, a player can learn the techniques necessary to achieve specific targets and higher scores.
For most of its history, pinball was controversial. One famous story involves New York City mayor Fiorello La Guardia who led the charge to ban pinball machines.
Gameplay
Pinball machines have various gameplay features and modes to increase replayability. They also feature a pinball machine number of flashing lights and themed graphics on the backglass. These are designed to attract players and lure them into making a purchase.
The game play of a pinball machine involves flipping the ball around the playfield and navigating obstacles. The player must use the flippers and the targets to gain a high score and unlock other modes. There are also a variety of ways to manipulate the game, such as nudging, which involves moving or shaking the machine without activating it. A skilled player can nudge the machine to make the ball bounce harder from a bumper or go in a different direction.
Another feature in some pinball games is kickback, which is a feature that sends the ball back into play after hitting the outlanes. This feature is usually triggered by the completion of a specific task, such as hitting a certain target. In addition, some machines feature timed rounds that reward the player with a prize such as free play or a jackpot.
The 1990s saw a comeback in the popularity of pinball, and new manufacturers entered the market. For example, Jersey Jack Pinball released The Wizard of Oz in 2013, which was the first widebody US pinball machine not made by Williams since 1994. However, the emergence of video games led to declining sales for pinball machines, and Williams discontinued production.
Electronics
Pinball machines are complex electrical devices with many mechanical and electronic parts, assemblies and wires. They operate using a metal ball guided by flippers and controlled by instructions displayed on a screen in the machine’s cabinet. It is played in bars, arcades and bowling alleys. A player inserts a coin in the coin slot to pay for play.
Until the late 1970s, pinball machines were electromechanical. Microprocessor-based technology introduced solid-state circuit boards, digital displays and advanced rules but still relied on electromechanical coils and relays. This allowed the game to become more complicated and interactive but lost ground to arcade video games that were rapidly gaining popularity.
Every modern electronic pinball machine has a power board that converts AC wall voltage to the lower DC voltage needed by all of its internal electronics and mechanical devices. The power board also has fuses, on/off switches, line filters and other components.
The power board also has 16 to 24 outputs that drive the solenoids and motors that control the game’s mechanics and display lighting. There are also two to four high-impulse lighting outputs that provide general illumination of the playfield and backbox art. Historically, these were incandescent lamps but modern games use LEDs. The cpu has some control of these outputs, turning them on or off as required by the game’s logic.
Cabinets
Cabinets are the physical structures that house all of the mechanical, electrical and electronic parts of a pinball machine. The ‘cabinet’ is usually separated into two pieces: the ‘backbox’ and the ‘head’. The backbox, also known as the ‘head’ or ‘light box’ contains a large ‘backglass’ which depicts highly stylized graphics related to or representing the game’s theme. A game’s name (and often the year of manufacture) are typically also printed on the backglass.
Most cabinets contain one or more mechanically or electromechanically (solenoid) controlled ‘flippers’ that are used to redirect the ball up the playfield towards a variety of scoring areas. These are controlled by the player using corresponding pushbuttons on the machine’s sides. Careful timing of these flippers can enable the player to gain a significant advantage over their opponent.
During the 1980s, Bally/Midway and Williams led the way with complex mechanical devices and elaborate display and sound systems that helped draw in new players. A major trend was the use of licensed movie and celebrity icons for game themes. This became especially prevalent with the release of a number of popular movies and TV shows, such as Star Trek and Indiana Jones. During this period, many manufacturers were also expanding their production capacity by hiring subcontractors to build the cabinets for them.
Maintenance
The maintenance of a pinball machine will vary greatly depending on the specific machine. However, general tasks such as cleaning the playfield, replacing worn or broken parts, checking and adjusting switches, and keeping the machine in a suitable environment can help prolong its lifespan. Performing these maintenance activities on a regular basis will keep your pinball in good working condition.
Before beginning any maintenance work on your machine, Arcade Game Machine make sure it is unplugged. This will prevent any damage to your machine and ensure that no harm comes to the power supplies or other electrical components. It is also a good idea to remove the coin door and backbox, so that you can thoroughly clean the inside of the cabinet.
Once the pinball machine is unplugged, begin by removing the glass and wiping it down. Make sure to use a soft, lint-free cloth or microfiber towel to avoid damaging the glass. After the playfield is cleaned, reattach it and check for any signs of dirt or debris.
About once every year, you will want to deep clean your pinball machine. This is more delicate work, since you will need to be careful not to detach or break any wires or blow any fuses. Moreover, it is essential to read the documentation for your particular game before starting any work on your pinball machine.
