It’s been a while since “Pong” exploded onto the gaming scene, making video games an ever-expanding force in the world of entertainment.
In some ways, times have changed; in others, they’ve stayed the same.
Last year saw the best figures for video game sales ever in the U.S., but analysts expect 2008 to crush that record with more than $10 billion in domestic sales.
Even before “Pong” mesmerized children and adults alike, another form of coin-operated entertainment was all the rage across America.
In 1871, a British inventor named Montague Redgrave was granted a patent for “Improvements in Bagatelle.” With the patent, the dawn of modern day pinball saw first light.
The 1930s saw pinball machines appear en masse, but it wasn’t until the 1970s, when electronic machines became commonplace, that the medium seemed to be an unstoppable force.
With every era comes new challenges. Soon companies like Atari, Nintendo and Sega began offering home systems with a variety of available games for players of all ages.
Arcades became archaic, and pinball machines seemed doomed to fall victim to the same circumstances that beset the Betamax, Laserdiscs, New Coke and Pepsi Clear.
Stern Pinball is the only major company that still manufactures coin-operated pinball machines. Some of its popular games of the past few years include “Batman,” “Shrek” and “Indiana Jones.”
Even with the limited number of machines being made today, there has been a resurgence of interest in pinball machines, new and classic.
“There are still some die-hard pinball players out there, and there has been a dramatic rise in sales on the used market,” said Jim Lakey, vice president of VVS Canteen, a local operator of coin-operated amusement games.
Stern Pinball became the only major designer and manufacturer of games in 2004. A recent article on the BMI Gaming Web site said home sales of Stern machines have risen from a negligible amount to as much as 60 percent of total sales in the past few years.
Used sales are also up, as the supply of units available in America for purchase dwindles and more buyers consider overseas sources to fill demand.
Steve Ramos, a 33-year-old Lincoln resident, said he purchased a “Pinbot” machine eight years ago and has worked to refurbish it to mint condition in the years since.
“It only had one year of arcade use, but I still put a bit of work into it to make it mint condition,” he said.
Others stick to the bars and bowling alleys of Lincoln while dreaming of the day they have their own machine.
“If I had pinball at home, I would probably never leave my house,” said Tim Carr, a 23-year old pinball enthusiast from Lincoln.
Carr said he renewed his pinball addiction about five months ago and currently spends about $25 weekly on the fix.
“It gives me something to do when I’m at the bar instead of having the same conversations with the same people,” he said. “I can just play and drink my beer and be entertained.”
Ramos said while he doesn’t play as much as he used to, he still strives to make his way into the top scores whenever he sees a machine.
“You’re in control of the game, and there’s a skill involved in it. If you know what you’re doing, you can master a game,” he said.
Lakey said his company doesn’t see the pinball segment of his business as much of a money maker, it’s more a case of being able to offer products alongside other more profitable products.
“The machines are usually involved in package deals with customers,” Lakey said. “What they want we want to be able to offer. We have to take care of our audience.”
In Lincoln, there are several locales that still have pinball machines: Chuck E. Cheese’s has “The Simpsons Pinball Party”; O’Rourke’s Tavern offers “Elvis”; and the Nebraska Union on the University of Nebraska-Lincoln campus has three machines, “Spiderman,” “Monster Madness” and “Lord of the Rings.”
Ease of play, the number of games per dollar and length of play have become considerable factors for today’s gamers, but for others it’s the comfort of knowing what to expect when dropping the quarters into the game’s slot.
No tags
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
« Previous 1 … 6 7 8How to Make Money playing Fortnite 2021 · 01/26/2026 at 1:27 PM
poker sites australia, australia casino pokies and new
no deposit bonus casino uk, or australian casino free chips
Feel free to visit my homepage :: How to Make Money playing Fortnite 2021
royal_ktSl · 01/26/2026 at 9:24 PM
Try your luck and enjoy the thrill of playingroyalcasino gamedirectly on your device. Typically the casinos were located within regal castles and palaces.
Noe · 01/26/2026 at 11:15 PM
usa online casinos 2021, free spins australia and auto roulette online or
app to play is ameristar casino open in st charles mo (Noe) united states, or online usa poker
goplayslots.net · 01/26/2026 at 11:46 PM
how many native united statesn casinos are there,
online casino paypal deposit usa and is playing poker for
money illegal usa, or craps guide uk
Feel free to surf to my blog: goplayslots.net
puma777_smMi · 01/26/2026 at 11:48 PM
Take a chance in exciting online games on puma777 and experience thrilling entertainment filled with excitement and fun. For those seeking a versatile and secure platform Puma777 is a compelling choice.
Jasmine · 01/27/2026 at 1:07 AM
promo code bingo billy casino no deposit bonus codes;
Jasmine, usa,
online live roulette canada and gambling in the uk statistics, or free casino chips usa
Walter · 01/27/2026 at 2:14 AM
wette deutschland spanien
Here is my homepage :: online wetten mit startguthaben ohne einzahlung (Walter)
goplayslots.Net · 01/27/2026 at 2:32 AM
paying tax on gambling winnings canada, united statesn gambling websites and best casino sites in canada, or real money online roulette
united states
Here is my web page: goplayslots.Net
Online Casino Real Money Nc · 01/27/2026 at 2:37 AM
is Online Casino Real Money Nc poker legal in united states, united states day
free spins and new no deposit casino 2021 australia, or best live
dealer casino usa
Https://Hlidaculu.Schamann.Net · 01/27/2026 at 4:00 AM
wetten halbzeit endstand
My blog post WettbüRo OsnabrüCk, https://Hlidaculu.Schamann.Net,
gbgbet · 01/27/2026 at 10:49 AM
Wow, fantastic blog layout! How long have you been blogging for? you make blogging look easy. The overall look of your web site is fantastic, let alone the content!
gbgbet · 01/27/2026 at 3:56 PM
Whats up this is somewhat of off topic but I was wondering if blogs use WYSIWYG editors or if you have to manually code with HTML. I’m starting a blog soon but have no coding expertise so I wanted to get advice from someone with experience. Any help would be greatly appreciated!
angka_oiEi · 01/27/2026 at 9:34 PM
To increase your chances of success in the game use proven strategies and angka jitu toto. Computers and algorithms have become integral in angka jitu toto assessments.
b2xbet · 01/27/2026 at 9:46 PM
Excellent post! We are linking to this particularly great content on our site. Keep up the great writing.
b2xbet · 01/28/2026 at 12:43 AM
A person necessarily help to make severely posts I would state. This is the very first time I frequented your website page and up to now? I surprised with the research you made to make this particular post amazing. Excellent process!
zeus_lmOi · 01/28/2026 at 3:16 AM
Try your luck in an exciting gamezeus vs hades – gods of war slot and find out which god will win this battle Initially we can discuss the captivating theme and impressive design elements.
winpot · 01/28/2026 at 7:09 AM
Hello, constantly i used to check website posts here in the early hours in the break of day, for the reason that i like to find out more and more.
winpot · 01/28/2026 at 7:42 AM
Hey I know this is off topic but I was wondering if you knew of any widgets I could add to my blog that automatically tweet my newest twitter updates. I’ve been looking for a plug-in like this for quite some time and was hoping maybe you would have some experience with something like this. Please let me know if you run into anything. I truly enjoy reading your blog and I look forward to your new updates.
mamak24_bkel · 01/28/2026 at 8:37 AM
Explore premium slot entertainment and exclusive rewards at mamak24 login and enjoy a smooth and engaging gaming experience.Moreover Mamak24 incorporates advanced technology to maintain user engagement.
red rock casino Discount code · 01/28/2026 at 12:00 PM
I am genuinely thankful to the holder of this web site who has
shared this fantastic post at at this time.
Here is my page … red rock casino Discount code
Jordan · 01/28/2026 at 12:29 PM
playtech casinos usa, free pokie games nz and roulette australia rules, or united statesn gambling regulations
Here is my blog post – bingo call numbers 1-50; Jordan,
Shannon · 01/28/2026 at 1:55 PM
best online poker tournaments uk, united statesn casino minimum deposit dollar 10 and new zealandn online
pokies bonus, or new zealandn roulette odds payout
My web blog: homer simpson blackjack hit me – Shannon –
Derick · 01/28/2026 at 2:38 PM
captain cooks casino united kingdom review, casino sites in usa and best online pokies in new zealand
with neosurf, or online slot usa
Also visit my webpage: blackjack express (Derick)
roulette casino free american roulette Wheel · 01/28/2026 at 3:34 PM
milwausaee casino, free roulette casino free american roulette Wheel slots in united states and
australian poker machine online, or td united states
visa debit gambling
??? · 01/28/2026 at 4:43 PM
??? ?????? ??? ??? ?? ?? ??? ???? ???? ??? ?????. ??? ??? ??? ???? ??? ???? ?? ?? ?? ???? ???? ???? ?? ??? ??? ???? ?? ??? ???? ?? ??? ??? ??? ????. ?? ??? ??? ??? ???? ??? ??? ??? ??? ???? ???? ???? ??? ????. ??? ??? ???? ??? ?? ???? ????. ?? ???? ?? ????? ????? ??? ? ?? ???? ?? ??? ?? ?????. ?? ??? ?? ?? ?? ??? ?? ???? ?? ??? ???? ??? ?? ???. ?? ???? ??? ???? ??? ???? ???? ?? ? ??? ?? ??? ?? ?????. ?? ?? ???? ?? ??? ???? ??? ???? ???? ????? ? ? ????. ???? ???? ?? ??? ???? ? ?? ???? ????. ?? ??? ?? ?? ??? ?? ??? ? ?? ??? ????? ?? ?? ? ?????. ?? ?? ??? ?? ?? ???? ??? ???? ??? ??? ???? ??? ?????. ??? ???? ???? ??? ??? ?? ?? ??? ???? ??? ? ???? ??? ??? ??? ?????. ???? ???? ???? ??? ?????. ????? ??? ??? ?? ?? ??? ??? ??? ?? ???? ?? ??? ??? ?? ? ??? ???? ?????. ???? ?? ??? ??? ??? ???? ???? ???? ??? ????. ???? ?? ??? ??? ???? ?? ?? ?? ?? ??? ? ?? ???? ??? ? ????. ??? ??? ?? ??? ???? ??? ??? ?? ?? ????? ?? ???? ?? ??? ???? ????? ?? ??? ???? ???. ? ??? ??? ???? ??? ??? ??? ?? ?? ????? ?? ???? ???. ?? ??? ?????? ???? ? ??? ??? ?????. ??? ??? ??? ??? ??? ??? ? ? ??? ?? ?? ?? ??? ??? ???? ???. ?? ???? ????? ?? ??? ???? ??? ??? ?? ??? ?? ????? ???? ????? ???. ????? ???? ???? ?? ?? ??? ??? ???? ?? ?? ???? ??? ??? ?? ?? ??? ??? ?? ?? ??? ??? ??? ? ????. ?? ??? ?? ??? ??? ???? ?????.
visitor · 01/28/2026 at 6:05 PM
Community Shield livescore, season opener between league and cup champions
hi88 · 01/28/2026 at 11:32 PM
Hi there! I just wanted to ask if you ever have any trouble with hackers? My last blog (wordpress) was hacked and I ended up losing a few months of hard work due to no back up. Do you have any solutions to prevent hackers?
jqk_qgSn · 01/29/2026 at 12:10 AM
Play exciting games and experience real fun at jqk. Various fields utilize jqk in diverse ways.
Josephhek · 01/29/2026 at 3:50 AM
???
1ace_boMl · 01/29/2026 at 4:12 AM
Dive into the thrilling world of online gambling with 1ace login and enjoy an unforgettable gaming experience One notable aspect of 1ace is its versatility.
hi88 · 01/29/2026 at 4:54 AM
I think this is one of the most vital info for me. And i am glad reading your article. But should remark on few general things, The website style is great, the articles is really great : D. Good job, cheers
Haroldder · 01/29/2026 at 6:00 AM
??????????? ??????? ??? ?????? ?????? ???? ? ???????????? ?????. ??? ???????? ??????????? ????????????????. ??????? ??????? ??? ????????? ??????????? ? ????. ?????? ????? ???? ???????????? ??????????? ????????. https://rentry.co/5v8ow3un ????? ???? ??????????? ???????? ???????? ????? ? ???????????? ?????. ? ???????????? ??????????? ???????? ? ????? ????????? ????????. ? ?????????? ???????? ?????? ?????????? ?????? ?????? ???????????? ?????? ?????.
777bet_rpmr · 01/29/2026 at 6:15 AM
Experience thrilling gameplay and rewarding moments with 777bet online casino where each spin brings fresh excitement and new possibilities to win. Welcome bonuses are available for new members and ongoing promotions keep regular players motivated.
Williamunsup · 01/29/2026 at 10:22 AM
Curating a stylish outfit is essential. It serves as a powerful form of non-verbal communication. Your apparel shapes first impressions almost immediately. Feeling confident in your clothes greatly boosts your self-esteem. https://sites.google.com/view/guccibags2026/gucci A deliberate style may open doors in both professional and social settings. It enables you to project your unique personality without saying a single word. Ultimately focusing on your personal style is an act of valuing yourself.
superace_sioa · 01/30/2026 at 1:25 AM
Try super ace casinoto experience the thrill of excitement and winning opportunities. The path to becoming Superace started with unwavering commitment and creative endeavor.