Should You Buy New or Used Pinball?

Buying a pinball machine isn't quite like buying most other things.

A new machine gives you the obvious advantages: it's fresh out of the factory, covered by the manufacturer's warranty and hasn't spent years being played, moved and maintained by someone else.

But that doesn't automatically make it the better choice.

For someone who already owns several machines and has learned how pinball works, the difference between buying new and used can become surprisingly small.

If You're New to Pinball, New Can Be Easier

A new pinball machine is about as straightforward as it gets.

You receive it, set it up, plug it in and start playing.

If something goes wrong, you have the manufacturer's warranty and, depending on the problem, technical support available to help.

For somebody who has never opened a pinball machine before, that peace of mind can be worth paying extra for.

A used machine can be a completely different experience.

Something might need adjustment.

A coil might fail.

A switch might stop working.

A lamp or display might develop a problem.

None of these things necessarily mean there's anything seriously wrong with the machine, but if you've never worked on a pinball machine before, they can look much more intimidating than they actually are.

Experience Changes the Equation

Once you've owned a few machines, your perspective changes.

You learn how the cabinet opens.

You learn what the different mechanisms do.

You become familiar with switches, coils, connectors and basic troubleshooting.

Eventually, a machine making a strange noise doesn't necessarily mean "Oh no, it's broken."

It means:

"I think I know what's causing that."

That's when buying used becomes much more attractive.

A collector with experience can often look at a used machine, identify its condition and understand what maintenance might be required.

And that knowledge has real value.

Used Can Be Much Cheaper

The biggest advantage of buying used is obvious:

price.

A machine that has already spent several years in someone's collection can cost substantially less than buying the same machine new.

And if you're comfortable doing some maintenance yourself, that saving becomes even more interesting.

You don't necessarily have to become a pinball technician either.

Your local pinball shop or repair technician can take care of maintenance, repairs and servicing for you.

Even after paying for professional maintenance, buying used can still leave you with a considerably lower total cost than purchasing a brand-new machine.

Used Doesn't Mean Badly Treated

This is where the condition of the individual machine becomes much more important than the simple question of new versus used.

There are heavily played machines.

There are machines that have been moved between locations constantly.

And then there are machines that have spent their entire lives sitting in somebody's games room.

The latter can be incredibly good purchases.

One term worth knowing when shopping for a used pinball machine is HUO — Home Use Only.

A HUO machine has been kept in a private home rather than operated commercially, so it may have considerably less wear than a machine that has spent years in an arcade or public location.

When you're looking for an older machine that is no longer manufactured, a well-maintained HUO example can be about as close to buying new as you're likely to get.

Sometimes Used Is Your Only Option

There's another reason people buy used:

the machine they want simply isn't being made anymore.

If you absolutely love a particular theme, waiting for a new one isn't going to help.

Take Batman '66, for example.

If you're a huge fan of the classic Batman television series and that's the machine you want in your collection, you can't simply order a new one from the factory today.

You have to enter the used market.

In situations like this, the question isn't really "Should I buy new or used?"

It's:

"How do I find the best example available?"

That's where HUO machines, complete ownership history and a careful inspection become particularly important.

A Used Machine Can Become Your Project

There's another advantage to buying used that doesn't get talked about enough.

You can learn from it.

A used machine gives you an opportunity to understand how pinball actually works without feeling like you're touching something brand new and precious.

You can open it.

Inspect it.

Clean it.

Learn how the mechanisms operate.

Replace small parts.

And eventually start making your own modifications.

That's one of the most enjoyable parts of owning pinball machines.

You're not simply buying a game.

You're buying something you can work on and personalise.

Our Pinball Mods: The Ultimate Guide to Customising Your Pinball Machine goes deeper into just how much can be changed and personalised on a modern machine.

And Then There Are Pinball Mods

Whether you buy new or used, there's one thing you're probably going to discover sooner or later:

modding is addictive.

A new machine arrives looking perfect, and then you start thinking:

"What if I changed this?"

Then you add some artwork.

Then a set of blades.

Then something for the flippers.

Then something for the coin door.

Suddenly you're looking at the machine completely differently.

That's part of the fun.

Our WizBlades are a particularly simple example: they turn the normally plain interior cabinet walls into another part of the artwork and can dramatically change the appearance of a machine.

And a used machine can actually be a fantastic starting point for this kind of project. You can gradually turn a perfectly good older machine into something that looks completely fresh and personal.

New Machines Are Fun to Customise Too

Buying new doesn't mean you're finished.

Far from it.

One of the great things about modern pinball is that manufacturers provide an incredible foundation for customisation.

You get the brand-new machine, the latest technology, the original artwork and the warranty.

Then you get to decide what happens next.

Some collectors make tiny changes.

Others completely transform the visual appearance of their machines.

Either way, there's always another little improvement to discover.

If you're curious about just how far customisation can go, our Best Godzilla Pinball Mods article is a good example of how collectors can take an already spectacular machine and personalise it even further.

So, Which Should You Buy?

There isn't one answer for everyone.

Buy new if:

• You're completely new to pinball.

• You don't want to deal with repairs.

• You want a manufacturer's warranty.

• You want the latest technology.

• You have a particular new machine you've been waiting for.

Buy used if:

• You already understand basic pinball maintenance.

• You want to save money.

• You're comfortable learning how the machine works.

• You enjoy repairing and modifying things.

• You're looking for a machine that is no longer produced.

• You find a particularly good HUO example.

And there's nothing wrong with using a mixture of both approaches.

Many collectors start with a new machine, learn how everything works, and eventually become much more comfortable buying used.

Others discover that they actually love the process of finding an older machine, bringing it back to life and making it their own.

The Best Choice Is the Machine You Actually Want

At the end of the day, the most important question isn't whether a machine is new or used.

It's whether you want that machine.

If the perfect machine for your collection is currently being manufactured, buying new can be fantastic.

If the perfect machine was discontinued ten years ago, buying used is your only route.

And if you already know your way around a pinball machine, the used market opens up an enormous world of possibilities.

Sometimes the best machine isn't the one that just came out of the factory.

It's the one you've found, fixed, customised and eventually made completely yours.