There's Nothing Like Opening a Brand-New Pinball Machine

The Magic of NIB

Every pinball collector remembers their first NIB (New In Box) machine.

It doesn't matter whether it's your first Stern or your tenth. The excitement never really goes away.

The delivery truck arrives.

A huge box appears at your door.

You carefully cut the straps, remove the protective cardboard, peel away the plastic wrapping and slowly reveal a machine that nobody has ever played before.

For many collectors, that's one of the best moments in the entire hobby.

That New Pinball Smell

It might sound strange to people outside the hobby, but every collector knows exactly what we're talking about.

A brand-new pinball machine has its own unmistakable smell.

Fresh wood.

New plastics.

Freshly printed artwork.

Brand-new electronics.

It's the smell of a machine that's about to begin its journey.

The First Game

Once everything is assembled, it's finally time.

You switch it on for the first time.

The lights come alive.

The music starts.

The LCD display lights up.

You install the latest software update, connect Insider Connected, create your player profile and launch your very first game.

Those first few minutes are unforgettable.

Every shot is new.

Every sound is fresh.

Every discovery feels exciting.

Home Use Only

Not every collector buys their machines new.

Many fantastic games are purchased as HUO (Home Use Only) machines.

A Home Use Only pinball machine has spent its life in a private collection rather than in a commercial location such as an arcade, bar or pinball venue. That usually means significantly less wear while still offering much of that "new machine" feeling collectors love.

Whether your machine arrives factory fresh or has already been carefully looked after by another enthusiast, the excitement is remarkably similar.

Then Comes the Fun Part...

Once you've played a few games, something almost always happens.

You begin imagining how your machine could look.

Maybe it needs cabinet artwork.

Maybe the speaker panel feels unfinished.

Maybe the flippers could use a little more colour.

That's usually when collectors discover custom pinball mods.

If you're wondering where to begin, our Your First Pinball Mod: Where Should You Start? guide is the perfect place to start.

Making It Your Own

One of the best parts of owning a pinball machine is making it unique.

Some collectors begin with WizBlades.

Others choose WizPanels, WizDoors, WizBats or complete the machine gradually over time.

There's no right order.

The fun comes from choosing the upgrades that match your own style.

If you'd like to see why today's games are such great platforms for customisation, our Why Modern Pinball Machines Are Perfect for Custom Mods article explores exactly what makes modern machines so rewarding to personalise.

Every Collector Remembers Their First NIB

Years later, you'll probably forget the exact score of your first game.

But you'll never forget opening that box.

The smell.

Removing the protective plastic.

Hearing the startup sounds for the first time.

Watching the lights come alive.

That's a feeling every pinball collector understands.

Whether it's an NIB (New In Box) machine or a beautifully maintained HUO (Home Use Only) game, every great collection starts with that same moment of excitement.