To quote the Who: “He sure plays a mean pinball.” You thought I was going to say “Who Knew,” didn’t you? Sorry, we’ll let that promo rest with Walmart for the time being.
Here’s something that will really brighten up your day, with a little festival of lights of its own—when made to light up, of course, depending on the control of the ball when you play the game. Timeless and ranking up there with baseball as a piece of Americana, as the kids would say. Of course, I prefer to use the term “American pastime,” but that’s just me. To each their own.
A New Museum Opens in Greensboro
Anyway, in Greensboro, off Lawndale, a new museum has just opened. Ladies and gentlemen, I give you the Greensboro Pinball Machine Museum. Yes, I said Pinball Machine Museum. Believe it or not, I once worked in a store that reminded me of a pinball machine. Still does to this very day. It’s funny. I never thought I would reference the old Academy Sports and Outdoors in any of my articles, but considering how that was my perspective, it seems to be fitting for the moment.
The Evolution of Pinball
As most of us know, before those video game consoles that we all love to play with so much, there were the arcades. And in those arcades would be—I guess you could say—what would be classified as your first video game in concept. Pinball has been all the rage in America since the 1930s and was passed down from generation to generation. Some have evolved into computer games that give you the idea of a pinball machine, no quarters, coins, or tokens required. However, the idea is still the same.
From Arcades to Home Consoles
A prime example I can remember is one of the Sonic games I used to play on the Sega Genesis. There’s my Uncle Bob again: “Slaves to Sega.” It was called Sonic Spinball, a playful spoof off Sonic’s spin dash power and a pinball machine. The idea was you had to play a series of pinball levels to navigate the evil Dr. Robotnik’s fortress, collecting emeralds and dealing with his evil robotic minions all the way up to the top.
The Sonic games were kind of addicting, but there were reasons for that. Like a good book, when you get involved in the story—or in Sonic’s case, the gameplay—it’s hard to put it down. Hey, when you’re trying to get to the next level, you do tend to continue playing until you get to the next level, unless your parents told you it was time to stop or if you wound up too tired to stand on your own two feet. Plus, in the time of Sega Genesis, there were no memory cards until PlayStation came out. Even then it was hard to stop, even with the game saved.
Inside the Museum
It took some time, but the Greensboro Pinball Machine Museum has finally opened its doors and is home to a great many pinball games. Some can be played if you have a notion; some are for display only, which is understandable considering how it is a museum of sorts. They want you to have fun, but at the same time you must respect nostalgia, especially since the museum is preserving the history of this classic game. An experience that is no doubt worth the while and, to put it in terms of the Pinball Machine Museum, will give you a great flippin’ time.
A lot of the playable games that the museum possesses are games from the ’80s and ’90s. One I recognized as being housed in a restaurant in New York where I grew up that we used to go to. The display models were clearly known, not activated or plugged in, but still gave you an idea of what the place was all about. They even had a foosball table in there, which I forgot to ask the gentleman if we could play on, but I figured, due to the condition of it, it was a display model. Time will tell though. Apparently, the gentleman running the place is a collector.
The Collection
Like with most games, there are tributes of all sorts. You even get to see a pinball machine that has yet to be constructed, giving you an idea of the inner workings of the classic game. Scott Berry, who runs the place, is a collector of pinball machines. However, as with most nostalgia buffs, even though his wife supported his collection, he needed to get them out of the house, which is what led to the Greensboro Pinball Museum that we see today. I guess it was either that or they would be calling the guys from the American Pickers show. I’m sure those boys would love to get their hands on a pinball machine or two.
Both husband and wife run the place as part of their retirement dream. The collection includes a pinball machine displaying Dolly Parton, Twilight Zone, Star Trek, Godzilla, and many more. Even games from the ’30s that would be considered your prehistoric pinball machine—and I’m not just saying that because a Jurassic Park game has a home there, too.
Pinball Through the Ages
Let’s talk about pinball before it gave you the aid of the flippers. As explained to me and my father, in the earlier years pinball was a game of chance—not just your classic arcade game, but more like the roulette wheel you would find at a casino. In those days, you didn’t have the flippers. You would rely on just one pull of the starter and let the ball do the rest to earn your points.
Don’t worry, these games are display only, although if you would like to try your luck with them, I advise you consult with the proprietor first before doing so.
Visiting the Museum
There is no fee to walk through the place. However, if you do intend on playing the games, you do have to pay $20 up front when you enter. You can’t just drop a quarter in and play. I guess in a way that is how the business makes money. However, if being a pinball wizard is in your blood, I’m sure it would be worth it.
The museum has something for everyone, young and old. For those who grew up with the game from childhood to adulthood, it is a matter of reliving the glory days, reminding you of times that were once good in one’s life and, on one hand, could be again.
To play off the famous quote from the late great James Earl Jones from the movie Field of Dreams, I believe the same theory applies. For the younger generation, it’s something to consider, but also something fun and entertaining for them as well—not just something to learn, but to have fun while you’re at it. Really, that’s the whole secret to everything: make sure you have fun. Pinball definitely fits the bill.
About the Author
Patrick Cassidy has mysteries and retail in his blood. He’s worked in the retail stores sector during the day, while dedicating his evening to his craft. A published author, Patrick’s stories include the Blue Wizard Detectives series and What the Hoo, loosely based on Rocky, the tiny owl often referred to in the media as the “Times Square Tree owl”. He’s also written And the Right Fielder’s Name about his favorite baseball team, The New York Yankees. Patrick was born and raised in New York. He now resides in Greensboro, N.C., where he patiently creates his next tale.