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Pinball Machines: Everything You Wanted to Know
This fantastic book tells the detailed history of pinball games from the 1930s to the 1990s, including the evolution of all sorts of game features--from flippers and bumpers to sound, scoring, and tilt mechanisms--all immersed in the complex and magnificent artwork characteristic of pinball machines. Pinball manufacturing giants like Gottlieb, Williams, and Bally are well represented, in addition to several lesser-known and foreign manufacturers. With a listing of over 3,000 games built to date, statistics, pricing information, and over 900 color photographs (including close-ups, flyers, images of rare prototypes, and games never before seen in print), this is essential for the libraries of all pinball lovers.
The pinball machine is here to stay--due in part to the exponential increase in the number of serious collectors and enthusiasts. What other modern amusement machine can boast a longevity of over 60 years, withstanding the test of time and ever-changing technology, while maintaining its instantly recognizable form? The rolling, bouncing silver ball, as unpredictable as the flip of a coin or even life itself, has kept up with cutting-edge advancements in electronics, mechanics, and even computers, to amuse and test the skill of players worldwide!
- GenresReferenceVideo Games
256 pages, Hardcover
First published October 1, 1999
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
February 6, 2017
Yes, this is a five star book, but only for a limited audience.
This book was revised in 2011 and covers almost all the current (and all of the past) innovations in pinball. If it isn’t “complete” it is close enough to that for most of us mortals.
So, you might not want to pick up this book if you are primarily interested in how to get the highest score on Stern’s Game of Thrones or the artwork on the 2017 version of Aerosmith Pro. This book is very comprehensive in the history of the game; the key elements of technical innovation; and, delves into what were the crazes (such as Pac Man) that influenced the market.
Does pinball only appeal to a certain gender, age or other demographic? From the experience in our basement, I would have to say “no.” There is something compelling and fascinating about the box with the tilted game board and the shiny metal ball that appeals to young and old.
Marco Rossignoli demonstrates a broad and deep knowledge of the subject matter while being entertaining and self-deprecating. This is a book that shares a lot of information without making you feel you should have already known this or that. To say the book is lavishly illustrated is almost an understatement. There are multiple color photos on most pages that cover the game boards, mechanical details, backboxes, artwork and technology. It’s very satisfying and enlightening.
This book was revised in 2011 and covers almost all the current (and all of the past) innovations in pinball. If it isn’t “complete” it is close enough to that for most of us mortals.
So, you might not want to pick up this book if you are primarily interested in how to get the highest score on Stern’s Game of Thrones or the artwork on the 2017 version of Aerosmith Pro. This book is very comprehensive in the history of the game; the key elements of technical innovation; and, delves into what were the crazes (such as Pac Man) that influenced the market.
Does pinball only appeal to a certain gender, age or other demographic? From the experience in our basement, I would have to say “no.” There is something compelling and fascinating about the box with the tilted game board and the shiny metal ball that appeals to young and old.
Marco Rossignoli demonstrates a broad and deep knowledge of the subject matter while being entertaining and self-deprecating. This is a book that shares a lot of information without making you feel you should have already known this or that. To say the book is lavishly illustrated is almost an understatement. There are multiple color photos on most pages that cover the game boards, mechanical details, backboxes, artwork and technology. It’s very satisfying and enlightening.
May 4, 2013
This book is one of the most comprehensive exploration of pinball I've read. It is aimed at the relative newcomer - going into some detail about even relatively obvious concepts. But it does a great job of capturing the history of the technologies and features of the game. It does not cover the business/economic side in much detail.
There are lots of colour illustrations, and good examples of games all the way up to 2000.
The writing style is weak and a bit disorganized, but it doesn't get in the way of enjoying the book.
There are lots of colour illustrations, and good examples of games all the way up to 2000.
The writing style is weak and a bit disorganized, but it doesn't get in the way of enjoying the book.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews