Well, we’ll be damned if today you can’t throw a rock just about anywhere in this city and hit a combination craft beer bar/arcade with a pinball expert on staff. Cidercade and the Free Play franchise are just a couple of the options local pinball lovers have today.
That makes Dallas very lucky. And we're a little superstitious. So before you go hunting down these 10 rare and game-changing pinball machines that now reside in DFW-area barcades, please allow us a second to ask the universe for pothole repair in East Dallas with a mandated 20-hour work week. Hey, it couldn’t hurt.
Happy playing!
The Big Lebowski, Dutch Pinball 2016
Where to find it: Texas Pinball Museum (Midlothian)The only place most people will ever see this machine will be a pinball convention. That’s because just 42 of them were made before mysterious issues at Dutch Pinball brought production to a complete halt. Rave reviews only add to the hype and frustration. “The best pinball of all time that no one (unless you were lucky or you are rich) can ever own,” writes Pinside commenter Dkjimbo, citing the under-glass bowling alley as one of its coolest features. If you’re a fan of pinball, the film or both, take a trip to Midlothian. The Texas Pinball Museum has a Big Lebowski on its floor (though only temporarily) and you’ll delight in seeing it come to life in game form, complete with miniature White Russians and clips from the movie.
Monster Bash, Williams 1998
Where to find it: Bishop Cidercade (Dallas), Free Play (Arlington), Free Play (Denton)Monster Bash recently earned a remake, which is itself proof of the machine’s status in the world of pinball. Players love the artwork and theme, which has Universal Monsters including Frankenstein, Dracula and the Creature from the Black Lagoon coming together to form a rock band. But Monster Bash isn’t all about aesthetics. It also features a lot of classic, satisfying ramp shots and toys that move in and out to create a flow that naturally guides you through the game. Give the limited edition remake a spin at Bishop Cidercade in Dallas’ Design District.
America’s Most Haunted, Spooky Pinball 2014
Where to find it: Free Play (Arlington)You’re a reality TV ghost hunter investigating abandoned hospitals, visiting morgues, consulting spirit guides and battling ghost bosses in this rare machine that launched a new pinball empire. America’s Most Haunted is the first release from Spooky Pinball, a collaboration between a pinball podcaster and a video game modifier that has since produced five other popular pinball machines. Spooky made only 150 of its first machine, and America’s Most Haunted quickly sold out after winning best custom game at the 2014 Midwest Gaming Classic. Even though other Spooky releases like 2017’s Total Nuclear Annihilation have eclipsed its success, pinball fans still enjoy America’s Most Haunted when they can find it, due to its creative playfield and sense of humor.
Star Trek: The Next Generation, Williams 1993
Where to find it: Free Play (Richardson)Somewhat surprisingly, pinball designers have seen fit to create four distinct Star Trek machines. Every regular pinball player has their favorite, but the third one, Star Trek: The Next Generation, often rises to the top. The rules are deep and you’ll remain entertained as you complete seven USS Enterprise missions, including a wormhole and a battle simulation, to reach the “Final Frontier.” When this machine was released, it also had “the most custom recorded speech in any pinball machine ever,” according to a Williams flyer. When you walk up to this machine at Free Play Richardson, you can look forward to hearing the voices of Patrick Stewart, LeVar Burton and other Star Trek actors.
Cybernaut, Bally 1985
Where to find it: Regeneration Arcade Bar and Pizzeria (Dallas)Detractors of this sci-fi themed machine with minimal bells and whistles (and no multi-ball) say it’s boring, a reflection of the ‘80s when the money to make pinball machines started drying up. But there are only 900 Cybernaut machines in existence, so seize the chance to try it for yourself at Regeneration, a new arcade and pizzeria in North Dallas. Some users of the pinball enthusiast site Pinside say there are advantages to Cybernaut’s simplicity. “A good pin to use as an intro to pinball for guests that are new to playing,” commenter sixtyfourbits writes.
Scared Stiff, Bally 1996
Where to find it: Corky’s Gaming Bistro (Grapevine), Free Play (Denton), Tornado Terry’s (Keller)This Elvira-themed pinball machine clocks in at No. 12 on Pinball Owner’s list of the most coveted machines. It’s actually the second one to be themed after the vampy movie presenter. In a 2017 interview with the Observer, Elvira said 1989’s Elvira and the Party Monsters is the dearest to her heart, but that the more advanced Scared Stiff — with its six levels of terror and “stop the spider” backglass game — is more fun to play. "I’m asked a lot about my pinball machines," she said. "I’m also brought items; different (pinball machine) parts that people take off and ask me to sign."
The Addams Family, Bally 1992
Where to find it: Bishop Cidercade (Dallas), Balls of Steel Pinball Lounge (Garland), End Zone (Plano), Corky’s Gaming Bistro (Grapevine), Tornado Terry’s (Keller), Texas Pinball Museum (Midlothian)While somewhat easy to find around these parts, this machine is a must-play for any pinball fan. It’s the most commercially successful machine ever released, with over 20,000 units sold to date. It’s also credited with innovating or popularizing features including “wizard mode,” which means a bonus level of gameplay. In Addams Family, wizard mode takes you through a tour of the family mansion, but if you’re not skilled enough to get there, don’t fret. The Anjelica Huston voice-overs, revolving bookcase and animatronic hand make this machine an entertaining ride even for pinball-wizards-in-training. One thousand special edition Addams Family machines were released in ‘94, but so far none of those have made their way to Dallas arcades.
Safe Cracker, Bally 1996
Where to find it: Texas Pinball Museum (Midlothian)The brand-new Texas Pinball Museum is all about promoting the “interactive art, science, history and culture of pinball machines,” so it makes sense that they have a Safe Cracker — it’s one of the most unique pinball machines out there. Safe Cracker forgets the standard three-ball game and turns pinball into a race against the clock to crack a bank safe. The game play doesn’t need to be complicated because the time crunch provides enough challenge and excitement. If you win, the machine will spit out a real token, which you can redeem for a free play, a prize or a trophy depending on the venue.
Medieval Madness, Williams 1997
Where to Find It: Corky’s Gaming Bistro (Grapevine), Free Play (Richardson), Free Play (Denton)This game regularly tops lists of the greatest pinball machines of all time. You’ll never tire of jousting, saving damsels or “destroying the castle,” a game where you hit a castle toy until the drawbridge lowers and you can send your ball inside. “This game is the beginning of my end,” writes Pinside commenter DanPiper. That kind of fanaticism is why more than 4,000 of these pinball machines were made in its first run and two remakes are in production. It’s also loved for its accessibility — Medieval Madness is fun to play regardless of skill level, and because it’s not licensed, there aren’t a ton of references or jokes to get. Although there is one factoid you should be aware of: The game’s dialogue was written by Second City members, and Tina Fey voices one of the princesses.
Twilight Zone, Bally 1993
Where to find it: Regeneration Arcade Bar and Pizzeria (Dallas), Balls of Steel (Garland), Free Play (Richardson), Free Play (Denton)Following the breakaway success of the Addams Family pinball machine, Bally gave its designer, Pat Lawlor, free rein to design a new machine. The result was Twilight Zone, which regularly dukes it out with Medieval Madness for top pinball honors. According to an early Bally flyer for the machine, it has “more features with patents pending than any other game in history.” Twilight Zone is a wide-body game and its large play field is jam-packed with surreal gadgets, many based on the show. There’s a gumball machine, a clock with working hands and a field of magnets that mess with your ball’s trajectory. Have fun lighting up all 14 panels to initiate the “Lost in the Zone” wizard zone with six balls, and momentarily forget about the lackluster Twilight Zone remake on CBS.
