Tables I Saw at Arcade Expo 2.0 That'd I'd love Pinball Arcade to Have

[shutyertrap]

A few weeks back, I went to Arcade Expo 2.0 in Banning, CA where I got to see over 600 machines. I also got to hang with Norman from FarSight a little and play a few tables with him. All this was reported on in a podcast a few back, but I thought I'd share here too.

I wanted to highlight a couple of tables that I think would be great additions to The Pinball Arcade. None of these tend to get mentioned much, but they all stood out to me for unique playfield design that would offer something different to what we're all used to.

The highlight of the show was 1982's Vector, by Bally. Norman really liked this table too, and it's all about checking your pinball aptitude.

I really like the double row of drop targets blocking the ramp too.

 

[shutyertrap]

I also really found Al's Garage Band World Tour to be interesting, especially with the angled spinning disc at the back.

One factor that would be lost in TPA is the force feedback you get in the flipper buttons, but they could do something cool with controller rumble to simulate.

 

[shutyertrap]

I'm not sure how I feel about the actual game play, but Bally's Medusa is from that really wide body era, and it has zipper flippers on the upper half!

We don't have one of these ultra wide bodies in game yet, and while most are asking for Paragon, I'd probably prefer this.

 

[shutyertrap]

I love me some System 11, and Swords of Fury really caught me by surprise. All sorts of cross table shots, and just really interesting ball movement.

There were actually a lot of System 11 games we are sorely lacking, but this one stood out.

 

[Snorzel]

Looks bad ass, never seen or heard of it. Would love to see it in the game, thanks for sharing (Vector)

 

[shutyertrap]

File City Slicker under extremely rare and rather odd. Again, not sure about how it actually plays since I only played it once, but the layout was very different from what I'm used to, especially with how the inlanes worked.

 

[shutyertrap]

And it wouldn't be a plea from me if I didn't include NBA Fastbreak. Unfortunately the one at the show drained SDTM due to not being properly tuned, but when it is correct, the table is a blast.

Plus, when we get head to head, you can play in real time against another player, scores increasing on the spot. Never seen one in real life linked to another, but I've heard it's a ton of fun.

 

[shutyertrap]

Here's all 73 tables I did play at the show...

Central Park 1966
Big Shot
Fireball 1972
Evil Knievel 1977
Eight Ball 1977
Genie 1979
Hercules 1979
Xenon 1980
Blackout 1980
Scorpion 1980
Gorgar
Medusa 1981
Fireball 2 1981
8 Ball Deluxe 1981
Vector 1981
Spectrum 1981
Split Second 1981
Mr./Mrs. Pac Man 1982
BMX 1982
Gold Ball 1983
Firepower II 1983
X’s & O’s 1984
Big Guns 1987
Fire 1987
Hard Body
City Slicker 1987
Laser War 1987
Monday Night Football
Swords of Fury 1988
Banzai Run 1988
Bad Cats 1989
Police Force
RoboCop 1989
Back To The Future 1990
Diner 1990
Game Show 1990
Whirlwind
Bride of Pinbot 1991
Rollergames 1991
Harley Davidson 1991
Black Rose 1992
Doctor Who 1992
Alvin G World Tour 1992
Pistol Poker 1992
Judge Dredd 1993
Last Action Hero 1993
Corvette 1994
Demolition Man 1994
Flintstones 1994
Guns N Roses 1994
Johnny Mnemonic 1995
Frankenstein 1995
No Fear 1995
Pinball Magic 1995
Breakshot
NBA Fastbreak 1997
Monopoly 2001
High Roller Casino 2001
Austin Powers 2001
Ripleys Believe It 2003
Harley Davidson 2004
Elvis 2005
Dale Jr Nascar 2005
Sopranos 2005
Pirates of Caribbean 2006
World Poker Tour 2006
Family Guy
Avengers Hulk LE
Mustang
Wrestlemania
KISS
Game of Thrones Pro
Game of Thrones LE


I was there for 9 hours and change, and barely scratched the surface. I tried to play games that I don't usually get my hands on, as well as ones that were of interest to me. I could have easily found another 50 tables I wanted to try, and 100 more that could peak my curiosity. I skipped whole sections and eras just because there wasn't enough time to get my hands on what I wanted to. It's a weird thing when you start getting mad at having a good game because that means less time trying something else! I often walked away from a table if I managed to activate it's main mode.

 

[MontanaFrank]

S-Y-T; after reading the collection of pins that you played, I'm sure it's a day that will last a lifetime in your memory. What a great experience. Thanks for sharing your wonderful day.

 

[shutyertrap]

S-Y-T; after reading the collection of pins that you played, I'm sure it's a day that will last a lifetime in your memory. What a great experience. Thanks for sharing your wonderful day.

It'll hold me for a year, then I'll go back for Arcade Expo 3!

 

[Flotilla]

Excellent breakdowns, I do hope that some of these interesting-looking tables make their way into TPA.

 

[Jeff Strong]

Great picks, SYT, especially Vector. It truly is a wonderful event. Wish I could've gone again this time around. Maybe next year!

 

[wolfson]

shutyertrap,you are the envy of all of us !!! I`m not even going to ask how you went,because I reckon you had a BLOODY FANTASTIC TIME!!! Vector would be top of the pops for me !!!