• Login
  • Register
Sign In Forgot Password?
Reset Password
Reset Cancel
Reset Password
Password must be at least 6 characters long with 1 special character
Save
Create Wishlist Save, compare and share your favourite items.
Password must be at least 6 characters long with 1 special character
We would love to update you with exclusive offers, new products and inspiration for having serious fun - and we'll always treat your data with the respect it deserves. If you would prefer not to receive all things Home Leisure Direct, please untick here.
Register
Select Your Options
  • Games Room of the Year
  • Order Tracking
  • Contact Us
  • About Us
  • Our Story
  • Meet The Team
  • FAQs
  • Blog
  • Videos
Home Leisure Direct
Multiple Award Winning
Games Room Retailer

0800 622 6464 or 01454 413636

0 items - £0.00

Wishlist View Basket / Checkout

Free Delivery on Everything*

  • Pool
    Tables
    • By Availability
      • Pool Tables in Stock
    • By Game
      • English Pool Tables
      • American Pool Tables
      • Snooker Tables
    • By Type
      • All Pool Tables
      • Pool Dining Tables
      • Deep Body Pool Tables
      • Wood Bed Pool Tables
      • Slate Bed Pool Tables
      • Outdoor Pool Tables
      • Car Pool Tables
      • Interest Free Pool Tables
    • Popular Brands
      • Signature
      • Aramith Fusion
      • Billiards Montfort
      • Buffalo
      • Designer Billiards
      • Diamond
      • DPT
      • Jack Daniel's
      • Rasson
      • Sam
      • Supreme
      • View All Brands
    • By Size
      • 6ft Pool Tables
      • 7ft Pool Tables
      • 8ft Pool Tables
      • 9ft Pool Tables
      • 10ft Pool Tables
      • 12ft Pool Tables
      • Pool Table Benches
      • Pool Table Accessories
      • Table Tennis Tops
      • Pool Coaching
    • Commercial
      • Contactless Pool Tables
    • Brands
      • Jack Daniel's Games Room Range
  • Luxury Pool
    Tables
    • By Availability
      • Pool Tables in Stock
    • By Type
      • All Luxury Pool Tables
      • Best Selling Luxury Pool Tables
      • Traditional Pool Dining Tables
      • Outdoor Pool Tables
      • Car Pool Tables
      • Contemporary Pool Tables
    • Popular Brands
      • Signature Luxury
      • Aramith Fusion
      • Billards Montfort
      • Billards Toulet
      • Bilhares Carrinho
      • Bilhares Xavigil
      • Designer Billiards
      • Diamond
      • Rasson
      • RS Barcelona
      • Sam
    • Other Services
      • Pool Table Accessories
      • Football Club Pool Table Cloth
      • Pool Table Benches
      • Pool Coaching with Gareth Potts
    • Commercial
      • Commercial Luxury Pool Tables
      • Pool Tables on Rental Agreements
      • Pool Tables on Profit Share
    • Grand Designs Live
      • Grand Designs Live Featured Products
      • Grand Designs Live Home Trends 2024
    • Brands
      • Jack Daniel
  • Pool
    Accessories
    • Cues
      • English Pool Cues
      • American Pool Cues
    • Cue Accessories
      • Cue Racks
      • Cue Cases
      • Cue Rests
      • Cue Tips
      • Cue Chalk
    • Balls & Ball Racks
      • Pool Balls
      • Snooker Balls
      • Triangles & Diamonds
    • Playing Cloths
      • Pool Table Cloth
      • Jack Daniel's Cloth
    • Pool Table Accessories
      • Table Tennis Tops
      • Pool Table Covers
      • Pool Table Lighting
      • Pool Table Trolleys
      • Table Care
      • Pool Table Benches
      • Snooker Scoreboards
    • Popular Brands
      • Jack Daniel's Accessories
      • Aramith Balls & Sets
  • Arcade
    Machines
    • Arcades by Availability
      • Arcade Machines in Stock
    • By Type
      • Upright Arcade Machines
      • Cocktail Cabinet Arcades
      • Coffee Table Arcades
      • Tabletop & Handheld
    • By Genre
      • Multigame Machines
      • Basketball Machines
      • Boxing Machines
      • Driving Games
      • Shooting Games
      • Golfing Games
    • Popular Brands
      • ArcadeMAX
      • ArcadePro
      • Bespoke Arcade Machines
      • GamePro
      • GoldenTee
      • Namco
      • Pac-Man
      • Sega
      • Space Invaders
    • Air Hockey
      • All Air Hockey Tables
      • Air Hockey Dining Tables
      • Sam Air Hockey Tables
      • Namco Air Hockey Tables
      • Air Hockey for Commercial Use
    • Commercial
      • Basketball Machines
      • Commercial Arcade Machines
  • Pinball
    • By Availability
      • Pinball Machines In Stock
      • New Pinball to Pre-Order
    • By Type
      • New Pinball Machines
      • Reconditioned Pinball Machines
      • Virtual Pinball Machines
    • By Genre
      • Films
      • TV Shows
      • Comics
      • Bands & Music
      • Sports
      • Classic & Original Pinballs
    • Popular Brands
      • Bally Midway Pinball
      • Stern Pinball (New)
      • Stern Pinball (Reconditioned)
      • Williams Pinball
    • Other Services
      • We Buy and Part-Exchange Pinballs
    • Commercial
      • Pinball Machines on Rental Agreements
  • Table
    Tennis
    • By Type
      • Indoor Tables
      • Outdoor Tables
      • Table Tennis Tops
      • Concrete Tables
      • Teqball
    • Accessories
      • Table Covers
      • Net & Post Sets
      • Table Tennis Bats
      • Table Tennis Balls
    • Popular Brands
      • Swift Table Tennis Tables
      • Butterfly
      • Butterfly (Indoor)
      • Butterfly (Outdoor)
      • Cornilleau
      • Cornilleau (Indoor)
      • Cornilleau (Outdoor)
      • RS Barcelona
    • Commercial
      • Table Tennis Tables For Schools
  • Football
    Tables
    • By Type
      • All Football Tables
      • In Stock Football Tables
      • Tables for Home Use
      • Custom Football Tables
      • Football Table Accessories
    • By Feature
      • Glass Top Football Tables
      • Outdoor Football Tables
      • Competition Grade (ITSF)
    • Popular Brands
      • Total Foosball
      • Bonzini
      • Debuchy
      • Garlando
      • Jack Daniel's
      • Roberto Sport
      • RS Barcelona
      • Sam
      • Sulpie
    • Commercial
      • Football Tables For Schools
      • Commercial Tables
  • Juke-
    boxes
    • By Availability
      • Jukeboxes In Stock
    • By Type
      • CD Jukeboxes
      • Vinyl Jukeboxes
      • Digital Jukeboxes
    • By Condition
      • New Jukeboxes
    • Sound Leisure
      • All Sound Leisure Jukeboxes
      • Sound Leisure CD Jukeboxes
      • Sound Leisure Vinyl Jukeboxes
      • Sound Leisure Digital Jukeboxes
    • Rock-Ola
      • All Rock-Ola Jukeboxes
      • Rock-Ola CD Jukeboxes
      • Rock-Ola Vinyl Jukeboxes
      • Rock-Ola Digital Jukeboxes
    • Commercial
      • Jukeboxes for Commercial Use
  • Shuffle-
    board
    • By Availability
      • Shuffleboards In Stock
    • By Type
      • All Shuffleboards
      • Bankshot Shuffleboards
      • Outdoor Shuffleboards
      • Shuffleboard Accessories
    • Popular Brands
      • Signature
      • Champion
      • Hudson
      • Shuffly
      • RS Barcelona
      • Jack Daniel's
    • Commercial
      • Neo Shuffle
      • Shuffleboards on Rental Scheme
  • Darts
    • Darts
      • All Darts
      • Dart Sets
    • Darts by Weight
      • 21g Darts
      • 22g Darts
      • 23g Darts
      • 24g Darts
      • 26g Darts
    • Darts by Tip
      • Steel Tip
      • Tungsten
    • Interactive Darts
      • Interactive Darts
    • Darts Accessories
      • Darts Accessories
      • Cases & Wallets
      • Oche & Throw Lines
    • Dartboards
      • Professional Dartboards
    • Dartboard Accessories
      • Cabinets
      • Surrounds
      • Scorers
    • Commercial
      • Interactive Darts
    • Popular Brands
      • Jack Daniel's
      • Mission
      • Winmau
    • Jack Daniel's
      • Jack Daniel's Darts
      • Jack Daniel's Dartboards
      • Jack Daniel's Dartboards & Surrounds
      • Jack Daniel's Darts Accessories
      • Jack Daniel's Darts Range
  • Cool
    Stuff
    • Cool Stuff
      • Pool Table Accessories
      • Skeeball Machines
      • Games Room Accessories
    • Jack Daniel's
      • Jack Daniel's Games Room Products
      • Jack Daniel's Darts Products
  • Commercial
    • Why Choose Us
      • Our Platinum Promise
      • Case Studies
      • Previous Installations
    • What We Offer
      • Free Delivery & Installation
      • Servicing
      • Try Before You Buy
      • Online Room Planner
    • Finance Options
      • All Finance Options
      • Lease Rentals
      • Outright Purchase
      • Purchase with Servicing
      • Profit Share
    • All Products
      • Air Hockey
      • Arcade Machines
      • Augmented Reality Pool
      • Augmented Reality Darts
      • Batfast
      • Basketball Machines
      • Beer Pong Machines
      • Boxing Machines
      • Duckpin Bowling
      • Football Tables
      • Golden Tee
      • Interactive Darts
      • Jukeboxes
      • Neo Shuffle
      • Pinball Machines
      • Pool Tables - Coin Operated
      • Pool Tables - Contactless Payment
      • Sega Arcades
      • Shooting simulators
      • Shuffleboards
      • Skee-Ball
      • Table Tennis Tables
    • Contactless Solution
      • About Contactless Payments
      • Our Payment Reader
      • Our Online Portal
    • Augmented Reality
      • Augmented Reality Pool
      • Augmented Reality Darts
      • Batfast
    • Interactive Shuffleboard
      • Neo Shuffle
    • Interactive Darts
      • What is Interactive Darts?
      • Interactive Darts Venue Finder
      • Augmented Reality Darts
      • Smarts Interactive Darts
    • Shooting Simulators
      • Shootout Shooting Simulator
    • Shop by Space
      • Office Breakout Spaces
      • Schools, Colleges & Unis
      • Snooker Clubs
    • Competitive Socialising
      • What is Competitive Socialising?
      • Competitive Socialising 2025
      • Competitive Socialising Awards - 2025
      • Competitive Socialising - Past Events
  • Clearance
    & Offers
  • Buying Advice
  • How To Play
  • Commercial
  • Showrooms
  • Finance
  • Games Room Designer
  • Clearance Sale
  • Home
  • Pinball Machines
  • Pinball Machine Buying Advice
  • Pinball Machine Buyer's Guide - 2014

Pinball Machine Buyer's Guide - 2014

Update: Since this guide was created, we have created a brand new pinball machine buyer's guide which you can view by clicking here.

 

Our Pinball Machine Buyer's Guide gives you an overview of the essential, but basic knowledge that you need to know when looking to buy your first pinball machine.

New Pinball Machines:

First of all we take you through the two current manufacturers of brand new pinball machines - Stern Pinball and Jersey Jack Pinball. Both of the these are based in the United States, Stern in Chicago and Jersey Jack in Lakewood, New Jersey.

Our video takes you through the pinball currently available from both of these manufacturers at the time of filming - March 2014. The great news is that new machines are coming out all the time, with Mustang out before the summer to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the iconic Ford muscle car.

 

Jersey Jack have recently released the gorgeous 75th Anniversary Edition of Wizard of Oz, in a beautiful ruby red colour scheme. They also have a new game due out in 2014 - The Hobbit, it's slated for an autumn release. Their second pinball is much anticipated, to see whether they can improve on the design of WoZ. Many players are hoping for more "flow' to the game. Let's see what they come up with.

Stern Mustang Pro Pinball Machine Home Leisure Direct

Reconditioned/Vintage Pinball Machines:

Next we move onto considering the purchase of a secondhand machine. First we look at Stern, featuring a reconditioned Elvis we had for sale in our showroom. This particular machine came out in 2003 and lived the first decade of it's life in commercial use. It has been reconditioned by Pinball Heaven to a very high standard. Cosmetically it does still bear evidence of its previous life, but the playfield is in great condition, making it an excellent purchase.

Stern have made some great pinballs, since they started in 2000, featuring many popular licenses. You'll see elsewhere in our Buying Advice section on Pinballs how well Stern have done, producing 5 games in our all-time Top 20 rated machines. They currently hold top spot with the LE version of Star Trek, which has now sold out, so is only going to be found secondhand now - as a result it's value is rising, despite it only just coming out last year.

Addams Family Pinball Machine Full Body Home Leisure Direct Showroom

Bally Williams produced some of the most highly rated pinballs of all time, featuring 14 times in the all-time top 20. Williams bought Bally in the late 80s, combining their efforts they dominated pinball during the 90s. The modern day best-selling pinball was The Addams Family. Released in 1992, it sold over 20,000 units. It proved so popular they even made a further 1,000 limited edition "Gold" versions a year later, which promptly also sold out.

 

Bally hit the jackpot with this game due to the popularity of the license, combined with awesome gameplay and a feature-rich design. The game had magnets under the playfield in an area called "The Power". When activated the magnets toyed with the ball, diverting it's direction, often with fatal consequences for that turn. It also had "It's" hand, appearing from a box at the top right of the playfield and taking the ball, much to observer's delight.

 

Addams Family is now hard to find in exceptional condition, due to their popularity they often experienced a prolonged and hard life in commercial environment. This particular example shown was completely restored and is in stunning condition, being much enjoyed by it's new owner.

Summary:

In our video we summarise with the pros and cons for buying either brand new or secondhand, here are the slides we used in the video.

Brand New Pinball - Pros

Brand New Pinball - Cons

Used New Pinball - Pros

Used New Pinball - Cons

At Home Leisure Direct we are true pinball enthusiasts. Our stock is growing but regularly changes, so if you would like to come and see a machine it's always best to call ahead to ensure we still have it in the showroom.

We generally keep 4 or 5 machines on display and try to maintain a mix of brand new pinballs as well as a few used and restored examples. If you want to get a feel of how a game plays then pop down to see us. All the games are on freeplay, so you can really give them all a good try, whilst we ply you with tea, coffee or soft drinks.

If you would like to get some more information or advice, or want to check on the availability of any pinball machine then please just give our friendly team a call on 0800 622 6464, or 01454 413636.

Andy

  Written By: Andy Beresford
<< Back to Pinball Machine Buying Advice Shop for Pinball Machines >>

More Advice for Pinball Machines

Pinball Machine Buyer's Guide What are Bally, Williams and Midway Pinball Machines? What Pinball Machine Should I Buy? What is a Pinball LCD Display? What are STERN, Data East and SEGA Pinball Machines? What is the Value of my Pinball Machine? What is the Cost of Pinball Restoration? What is a Pinball DMD? What Are Solid State Pinball Machines? What are Gottlieb Pinball Machines? What are Pinball Mods? What are Pro, Premium and LE Pinball Machines? What are LED Upgrades for Pinball Machines? What Are Electromechanical Pinball Machines? Pinball Machine Buyer's Guide - 2016
Secure Shopping - We use SagePay to handle all online payments
Free Delivery* - Everything we sell is delivered FREE to most of the UK
Price Promise - We check all our prices against major retailers every day

83 reviews

Industry leading security

Opayo by Elavon

We accept the following payments

Accepted Payments

Multiple award winners

  • Feefo Platinum Trusted Service Award 2024 Feefo Platinum Trusted Service Award 2023 Direct Commerce Awards: Best Hobbies, Pastimes & In-House Entertainment Brand 2023 Feefo Platinum Trusted Service Award 2022
  • Direct Ecommerce Awards 2021 Platinum Trusted Service Award 2021 Platinum Trusted Service Award 2020 Direct Commerce Award 2019 Gold Trusted Service Award 2019

Proud to be Official Merchandise Partner for these prestigious brands

  • Jack Daniels

Proud to Attend

Grand Designs Grand Designs

Proud to Supply

  • Skype
  • Sky
  • Google
  • Facebook
  • John Lewis
  • Microsoft
  • Oxford University
  • Manchester City FC

Proud to Sponsor

  • GB9 Tour
  • BFA
  • IPA
  • Pool Tour
  • London Pinball Championship

Join Us On Social Media

Useful Links

  • About Us
  • Our Story
  • Blog
  • Meet the Team
  • Our Awards
  • Charity Work
  • Careers
  • -
  • Blue Light Card & DDS
  • FAQs
  • Contact Us
  • How to Find Us
  • Delivery Policy
  • -
  • Finance Information
  • Privacy and Cookie Policy
  • Additional Policies
  • Terms & Conditions

Join our Newsletter

Keep up to date with offers, new products and news from HLD

Sign Up

If you need help with anything
contact our team on

0800 622 6464 or 01454 413636

Offices Open
Monday - Friday 9am - 5:30pm
Saturday - Sunday 10am - 4pm
Bank Holidays 10am - 4pm

Showrooms Open
Monday - Friday 9am - 5:30pm
Saturday - Sunday 10am - 4pm
Bank Holidays 10am - 4pm

Home Leisure Direct Limited is registered in England and Wales


Registered Office: Unit 7A Point 4 Distribution Centre, Second Way, Avonmouth, Bristol. BS11 8DF


Company Registration: 6364345 | VAT Registration: 914619912 | Consumer Credit License: 692501


Home Leisure Direct is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and is the broker and not the lender.


Our registration number is 692501. Home Leisure Direct Ltd offers credit products from Secure Trust Bank PLC trading as V12 Retail Finance.


Credit provided subject to affordabiility, age and status. Minimum spend applies.


Not all products offered by Secure Trust Bank PLC are regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.


Created by bluebox

Learn Less