How to Choose Between Two Pinball Machines You Love

When Every Choice Feels Like the Right One

Every collector eventually faces the same dilemma.

Two incredible pinball machines are released.

You love both themes.

Both games look fantastic.

Both have excellent gameplay.

But you only have room—or budget—for one.

Whether you're choosing between Pokémon, Transformers: More Than Meets the Eye, Sonic the Hedgehog, or any other modern release, how do you make the right decision?

The truth is, there isn't a single correct answer.

But there are a few ways to make the choice much easier.

Choose the One That Feels Different

One of the smartest ways to grow a collection is by adding variety.

If you already own several George Gomez machines, another George Gomez layout may feel familiar.

On the other hand, choosing a machine from a different designer could introduce completely new shots, ball movement and gameplay ideas.

A collection becomes much more interesting when every machine offers a different experience.

If you'd like to learn more about how different designers influence gameplay, explore our Legendary Pinball Designers series.

Think Beyond the Theme

Sometimes collectors focus entirely on the theme.

Pokémon.

Transformers.

Sonic.

Batman.

But after hundreds of games, what really matters is whether you still enjoy playing the machine.

A great layout will keep you coming back long after the excitement of the theme has worn off.

Look at the Current Code

Modern Stern machines continue evolving long after release.

New software updates regularly add features, improve balance and introduce new gameplay.

If you're buying shortly after launch, one machine may simply have a more complete ruleset than another.

Eventually they'll all continue improving, but it's worth considering where each game stands today.

Ask the Community

One of the best resources available is the pinball community itself.

Thousands of collectors share their experiences every day on forums such as Pinside.

If you're genuinely undecided, ask people who have spent dozens—or even hundreds—of hours with both machines.

Real ownership experience is often more valuable than a quick game at a show.

Check the Rankings

Community rankings aren't perfect.

Everyone has different tastes.

But if one machine consistently ranks much higher than another across thousands of player ratings, that's usually a good sign that it's doing something exceptionally well.

Rankings should never make the decision for you—but they can certainly help.

Imagine Living With It

This is a question many collectors forget to ask.

Which machine will you still enjoy looking at every single day?

Artwork matters.

Cabinet design matters.

The way a machine fits alongside the rest of your collection matters.

Sometimes the machine that makes you smile every time you walk into the room is the right choice.

Think About Customisation

For many collectors, buying the machine is only the beginning.

Personalising it with artwork, accessories and custom pinball mods becomes part of the fun.

Some themes naturally inspire more creative customisation than others, making the ownership experience even more rewarding over time.

If you're the kind of collector who enjoys making a machine truly your own, it's worth seeing what's possible before making your final decision. Our Modern Pinball Machines Were Made for Custom Pinball Mods article explores why so many collectors personalise their games.

There Is No Wrong Choice

The good news?

If you've narrowed your decision down to two fantastic machines, you've probably already won.

Modern pinball has never offered so many outstanding choices.

The best machine isn't always the one everyone else chooses.

It's the one you'll be excited to walk over and play tomorrow.