Discussion Topic

Song of the Week

Highlighting the newest release from Jamaican artist Original Koffee, with her first new release since 2022, called Koffee. It’s a fun, danceable track that’s perfect to bop along to as you head into the weekend.

Notable fact about Original Koffee; she won a Grammy in 2022 for her debut EP, Rapture.

Pinball News of the Week

There’s not a lot of hard news to discuss this week, so let’s kick things off with a few of our own pieces.

Pinball Machines Are Not Investments

In a special subscribers-only post, we expanded on the pinball market analysis we touched on last week, looking at changes in the market value of NIB machines released from 2017 to today. In this post, we look at the top winners, losers, changes by manufacturer, highlight a current set of value buys, and, of course, share the raw data set we used in the analysis.

Rumors: The Next 3 DPX Titles

Another subscribers-only exclusive (you’ll see more of these moving forward, particularly when I’m doing a lot of custom data review or analysis). Based on some new information gleaned from a daily monitoring routine, I’m sharing what I think are likely to be the next 3 releases from DPX.

Review: Williams Pinball Volume 8 on Pinball FX

In my last podcast appearance (DPPP #1), I mentioned that we don’t cover digital pinball all that often, but will include content about the scene when we can. Fortunately, regular contributor Noah Crable is a big fan of digital pinball and can write at length about the nuances of different releases. Here, he critiques the latest package of Williams’ table releases for Pinball FX, including Banzai Run, Black Knight 2000, and Earthshaker.

Barrels of Fun Gets Tested; Teases Next Game?

The Barrels Team got the Tested treatment for Dune. Much like their last appearance on this series for Labyrinth, this is worth a watch. Notably, as was shared in Knapp Arcade and other places, at the 12:57 mark, there’s a shot of the Dune cabinet next to another cabinet with unknown side artwork that looks suspiciously like something associated with the Goonies franchise. Kinda like those easter eggs in some factory photos we shared earlier this year.

Discussion Topic: The JK Rowling Factor of Harry Potter Pinball

I know some of you don’t enjoy when pinball intersects with politics in this space, so feel free to skip this section (and our poll) if that’s you. One of the things I like to do in my coverage of game releases in the hobby is articulate some of the context around a release, particularly if there’s some controversy or other notable storyline.

With Harry Potter, one of those storylines is undoubtedly the involvement of JK Rowling and her personal politics regarding the trans community, which is a sizeable group in the pinball space.

Yesterday, we caused a bit of a stir on Facebook by asking our community a simple question. One that’s been discussed repeatedly already in various community spaces, on and offline.

Specifically, do JK Rowling’s views on the trans community affect your excitement for Harry Potter pinball?

This is something that’s part and parcel with just about anything Harry Potter these days. Hogwarts Legacy, the 2023 video game release, saw similar debates.

Prior to making that post, I had been surprised how many people I had seen or heard say that they weren’t going to put this game out on location, or run it in tournaments, or play it at all. I know various Belles & Chimes groups have been actively discussing how to handle the game in tournaments when it’s released.

Though admittedly conflicted, I’m not trying to make a personal stand with this game. I’ll play it, I’ll write about it, and I’ll probably enjoy the gameplay experience like I do with most new releases. I support the team at JJP and wish them all the success in the world, as it’s no small feat to bring a product like this to market.

The reality is that, regardless of what is said here or elsewhere, given the predominant demographics in pinball, the game will sell, and it will sell well. But I find it worthwhile to have an open discussion about how different parts of the community view this release and how they plan to engage with it long term.

So, if you haven’t already weighed in elsewhere, I’d like to hear your thoughts in our poll this week. 

Pinball Map Location of the Week

Ryan and Scott from Pinball Map run a regular series that highlights one new or interesting pinball location each week. This week, Ryan writes about Marquee Pinball Lounge.

When people like me think of Napa, California, they probably think of fine wine splashing into a crystal chalice, plump grapes roasting in the afternoon sun, drunk daytime drivers careening along windy two lane country roads, and hot air balloons. But actually, those things should now be considered expired mental images. Pour out your wine! There’s a new star nestled in Napa’s rolling hills: Marquee Pinball Lounge.

Marquee Pinball Lounge has 15 machines from four different manufacturers, spanning 10 years. They sell beers, ciders, and seltzers. But definitely not wine. Wine in Napa is so last year. You can pay per game, or join as a monthly member and receive 25% off each game. Looks like you can also sometimes pay a lump fee for unlimited timed play.

If I were to enter Marquee Pinball Lounge, I would first step up to The Big Lebowski, as I’ve only ever seen that at one other location and I thought it was fun. Have you ever been to Napa? Please leave a comment on this post saying either yes or no. I’m not that interested in other commentary, though, unless it’s something like, “no, but I am now planning a trip there after reading this.”

Marquee Pinball Lounge
1311 1st St, Napa, CA 94559
Website

Links of the Week

• Dirty Pool Pinball Podcast had a couple of great interviews, one with Bowen Kerins and the other with Jonathan Bergeron 

• Enjoyed the discussion on the WAP podcast with MAD Pinball’s Jeff Cernava

• TWIPYs co-host Erin Winick Anthony was interviewed on Pinball Profile

• Nudge Magazine interviewed musician Zack Alworden of Liquid Mike

• Be sure to check out Fox Cities Pinball for streaming coverage of the Yegpin tournaments this weekend

Poll of the Week

Last Week’s Poll Results

Thank you for reading!

I love putting these together, but it’s also real work, and paid subscriptions are what make it worth my time. Paid subscribers get Discord access, early access to product launches, ad-free newsletters, and my unending love and appreciation. If you are already a paid subscriber, thank you so much!

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More ways to connect:

• We’re active on Facebook, Instagram, Bluesky, and sometimes Reddit and YouTube.

• We have regularly updated Song of the Week playlists on Spotify and YouTube.

• If you create content, products, or other things for the pinball community, join our Pinball Media & Creators Discord group. We’re building a lovely, supportive community there and I’d love for you to be a part of it.

• We have a pinball memes group on Facebook.

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