Pinball Gift Guide- New and Improved
It’s time once again to find the perfect holiday gift for your favorite pinball nut. Short on pinball gift ideas? Our buying guide has some old classics that are worthy of consideration as well as a few new goodies that are sure to please. This year we’ve included gifts in a large price range to help you find a gift your pocketbook will allow!
Stocking Stuffers
PinGulp Drink Holders
Safely enjoy the beverage of your choice while playing with a PinGulp Beverage Caddie . These nifty drink holders mount to the legbolts on the game and are available in black, red, blue or clear. The simple design accommodates pint glasses, coffee mugs, as well as canned and bottled beverages. Add a game specific vinyl decal for a few extra dollars to take the caddie to the next level. Price: $20-$25
Key Chains
Pinball collectors love the perfect keychain that matches their treasured theme. Create your very own custom flipper bat key chain or check out these upcycled key chains made from old flipper bats by Tiltcycle! Price: $7-$10
Bulb Removal Tool
Every pinball owner has experienced the challenge of removing a burned out pinball bulb in a tight corner of the play field. Eliminate the frustration associated with this task using a Pinball Bulb Removal tool from Pinball Life. This inexpensive stocking stuffer is a must have tool for every game owner. Price: $5
New Pinballs
Replacing the balls in your game is much like changing the oil in your car. Balls should be replaced based on the frequency of game play as well as visible wear and tear. A nice treat are high-polish chrome balls that look fantastic and play even better. High polish balls run about $1.50 each. Pick up about six to be certain you’ve got the range of balls required for your pinheads favorite game (ball requirements vary by game). Our favorite are those from The Ball Baron or Marco Specialties.
Moderately Priced
Cleaning product set
A nice cleaning set is a great gift for your favorite pinhead, especially one formulated specifically for cleaning pinball machines. The Pinheadz Cleaning System as a variety of products from the quick clean Black Ops Series to the Premium Series. Bundles include a microfiber cloth to make the cleaning kit complete. Kit price: $30-$60
Speaker Light Kits and Acrylics
Pinball cabinets offer many opportunities for additional lighting and accessorizing. The speakers (found in the game head or backbox) are a great spot for additional lighting. Speaker Light Kits (available for many modern titles) have color changing options with many modes for meeting your desired look. Add decorative acrylics for a finishing touch to the speaker panel. Available at many pinball retailers (Speaker Light Kits, Pinball Life, CoinTaker and Mezel Mods). Price: $45-$60
Pinball Cabinet Assembly Blades
Safely working on your treasured machine is always a challenge for pinheads. Pick up a set of cabinet side protectors that are used to safely lift and lower the playfield during servicing. These high quality, durable protectors include magnets which keep them in place while in use and can be easily hung up out of site while not in use. Price: $35
Local Arcade Gift Card
If your pinhead doesn’t own a game (yet), pick up a gift card from your local pinball location. Pinballmap.com can help you find the locations in your area where pinball machines are available for public play. Whether it is an outing at a local brewery or classic arcade, this is a great option for any budget range. If they don’t have a gift card, pick up a quarter holder from Comet Pinball and fill it!
The Grand Champion Gift
Toppers
Many pinball collectors hanker for a pinball topper to finish off the top of their cabinet. Available in game specific designs, these toppers range in styles and are available from the original machine manufacturer or dealer, or at aftermarket accessory shops. Choose from a wide variety of styles and materials at these retailers Laseriffic, Tilt Toppers, Mezel Mods. Price: $150-$300
PinStadium Lighting
New to the market this year is a cabinet lighting system called Pinstadium Lighting. The system provides additional general illumination for inside the game that is especially fantastic for older, darker games. Kits include easy snap in design and are app controllable right from your phone! This hot product is all the rage with pinball enthusiasts and is likely to be a great gift. Price: $150-$280
Color DMD
Looking for that one big gift? The one that is sure to surprise and delight? Consider a Color DMD to replace the single color display found in modern games (approximately 1980–2016). The Color DMD is perhaps the crown jewel of pinball accessories. And while the price is high ($~350), the value is long lasting as the display can be used in other similar games. It is an investment that does not, and will not, go out of style.
That’s all for this year- good luck and happy pinball shopping! #pinballlove
