Pinball

GAD knows Pinball. Articles about new pinball games. How to place pinball in the best locations. How to choose a pinball machine for your home. Best tips on fixing pinball games. Greater America Distributing knows pinball machines and how to fix them. An authorized dealer of Stern Pinball, Chicago Pinball, Valley-Dynamo Pinball and Chicago Pinball. Distributing in Nebraska, Kansas, Missouri and Iowa.

Stern Black Knight Sword of Rage Pinball in Omaha, Kansas City and Des Moines.
Playing Stern Pinball games.
GAD Vending sells Stern The Munsters pinball in black and white.

10 Quick Tricks to Profit with Pinball
10 Quick Tricks to Profit with Pinball 650 650 Gad Vending

Pinball games have been a favorite entertainment machine since their introduction in 1931. “Pinball” came from the steel silver ball traveling across wooden pins. Since, pinball has inspired an entire industry and a pop culture phenomenon. Pinball games are inspired by Marvel Comics, DC Comics, TV shows, rock bands, movies, sports and cultural phenomenons. And, pinball is a staple in the Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, and Iowa bar scene.

To buy a new pinball machine is an investment. The cost is dependent on the game itself, shipping and payment acceptance system. Payment systems include the basic coin acceptors to the newest digital payment acceptance with card readers and touchless cell phone payment acceptance. GAD Vending can help you determine the best payment system for your environment.

To maximize your pinball game profit:

  1. Brighten – energize a dark corner (and make sure there are no bright glare to make game play harder).
  2. Patron building – Use pinball machines to draw patrons deeper into your bar and keep them longer.
  3. No broken machines – make sure you have a regular maintenance schedule with GAD Vending. As a stocking distributor, we have the common parts to keep your machines playing.
  4. Quarters – place an ATM and coin changer near your pinball machines.
  5. Variety – swap your pinball machines regularly. Retire a game to the back room for a time or trade between locations.
  6. Pinball Junkies – don’t wipe high scores! Pinball players are competitive and want to show their high score!
  7. Cleanliness – keep pinball machines clean – especially the glass.
  8. Sanitation – deep clean between players with cleaners that won’t harm the graphics.
  9. Player Cleanliness – give your players handi-wipes to clean before and after play. Offer disposable buttons to each gamer.
  10. Free Game – let players enjoy a free game! GAD Vending can help you determine how lose your free games should be.

When you are thinking of new pinball machines in the Midwest – Nebraska, Iowa, Missouri, Kansas and South Dakota – give your local GAD Vending sales rep a call (or our main office at 402-553-2812).

Stranger Things Pinball available at GAD Vending.

The Surprising Secrets to Making Money with Pinball Machines with a Younger Audience
The Surprising Secrets to Making Money with Pinball Machines with a Younger Audience 845 498 Gad Vending

What’s not a surprise is that Pinball has been a profitable industry since 1931. What is a surprise is the resurgence of pinball with a younger generation. And, here’s why.

Engaging Games

Pinball manufacturers have responded to new, tech savvy audiences with creative pinball game formats and technology. Adding LED lighting. New technology in the gamefield. High tech scoring. Internet capabilities for remote play and tournaments. Added sound technologies to create an immersive experience. And so much more.

An excellent example is Stern Pinball’s 2020 release of Netflix’s Stranger Things. Not only is this game beautifully crafted to the Netflix hit TV show, it also has amazing graphics lighting and sound. The innovations from Stern to entertain the player absolutely come together with this game.

Social Game Opportunities

Pinball is the ultimate step up game for the millennial gamer brought up on playing video game machines in their basement. Gamers have shown if they like one type of game, they will try another. Make your pinball games attractive to play.

  • Pinball is still an individual game that can be played against the high machine score.
  • Connect your Pinball to the internet for game play against other high scores, games across locations or tournaments.
  • Pinball keeps groups of people longer – ordering more food and drinks.
  • Run a casual or professional pinball tournament.

Location, Location, Location

Look at the traffic flow in your restaurant, bar or lounge. See where your customers hang out with little to do. Evaluate the dark corners. Watch when customers get bored and are looking for a reason to get up and move around.

One, stand alone pinball machine can solve a dark, wasted corner. A couple pinball machines can draw customers to the back wall of the bar. Strategically place a pinball machine outside the rest rooms. Add a new pinball machine to mix up your current game mix. Or place a new machine and run promotions for high score, longest run or other fun incentives.

Entertainment Destination

Pinball, as a standalone profit center, may not make money. What pinball machines do is help the establishment create excitement, entertainment and keep patrons longer. Pinball machines teamed up with digital music, darts, Golden Tee and other games can give you, the owner, an entertainment arcade to become a destination.

When you are thinking of new pinball machines in Nebraska, Iowa, Missouri, Kansas and South Dakota – give your local GAD Vending sales rep a call (or our main office at 402-553-2812).

New! Hot Wheels Pinball
New! Hot Wheels Pinball 1600 435 Gad Vending

New from American Pinball – Hot Wheels!

For over 50 years, Mattel’s HOT WHEELS™ die cast cars have been sought and collected by hundreds of millions of fans all over the world. Over 5 billion cars have been sold incorporating more than 20,000 different car designs. For all the action playing with the cars comes alive with this pinball machine.

Today this multi-generational franchise is bigger than it’s ever been, and by far the #1 selling toy in the world!*

And now American Pinball is proud to present the first officially licensed HOT WHEELS™ pinball machine. The exciting and fast-paced world of HOT WHEELS™ comes to life under glass, featuring a dazzling array of game play objectives that will keep players of all ages racing back to play again and again.

True fun for the entire family. And, GAD Vending is offering $100 off now through July 4, 2020.

hot-wheels-pinball-machine-flyer-ap

Could the NEW Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Stern Pinball be better than the Stern Jurassic Park Pinball Game?
Could the NEW Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Stern Pinball be better than the Stern Jurassic Park Pinball Game? 2560 1709 Gad Vending

ABOUT STERN TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES PRO EDITION

Leonardo, Donatello, Raphael and Michelangelo are the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, trained in the art of ninjutsu by their wise rat sensei, Master Splinter. Is New York City ready for these radical reptile brothers?  With a sick sewer lair and tough friends like April O’Neil and Casey Jones, the Turtles are about to face evils more dangerous and pizza more delicious than anything they could have ever imagined.  In this pinball adventure players will go to battle as the Turtles fight villains like Shredder, the Krang and loads of super-powerful mutants, to become the heroes they were destined to be, and have loads of fun along the way!

“Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles began as a comic book, morphed into a hit animated show, and has grown into a beloved and iconic global pop culture phenomenon.  We have worked directly with Nickelodeon to bring these heroes in a half-shell into the pinball dimension.  This game has pure pinball power,” said Gary Stern, Chairman and CEO of Stern Pinball, Inc.

The Premium and Limited Edition models feature an interactive custom sculpted Turtles Van, equipped to lock up to 4 balls inside with a mechanical opening/closing side door, ready to unleash multiball havoc upon players.  These models also feature the iconic TMNT Glider, a custom-sculpted, player-controlled diverter assembly stationed above both ramps, giving players the ability to control and transport the ball to the flipper of their choice.  In addition, a custom-sculpted mechanical Krang toy hovers over the pop bumpers, jumping up and down while taunting players throughout game action.

The Pro, Premium, and Limited Edition models all feature distinct hand-drawn art in addition to a high speed magnetic spinning pizza disc capable of holding and throwing 3 balls during pizza multiball mayhem.  The original 1987 theme music complements the action with custom video scenes and events created exclusively for this pinball experience.  All models include 3 flippers, 3 high speed ramps, and a hidden ninja training ball lock area.

The LE model is limited to 500 units globally.  The LE model includes additional unique features such as an exclusive mirrored back glass, exclusive custom themed cabinet artwork, a custom autographed bottom arch, exclusive custom art blades, upgraded audio system, anti-reflection pinball glass, a shaker motor, and a sequentially numbered plaque.

MSRP $6,099
Playing Stern Pinball games.
Stern pinball army at play

Pinball: Run a Casual (or Professional) Pinball Tournament
Pinball: Run a Casual (or Professional) Pinball Tournament 640 646 Gad Vending

You may already be running dart tournaments, trivia games off your digital music jukebox, and Golden Tee digital tournaments. Your audience is already competitive and looking for unique experiences, running pinball tournaments is a naturally fun addition.

*The suggestions in this article are general. Make sure you check your local NE, SD, KS, MO or IO laws about gaming, awards and tournament rules before you choose the tournament type and rules that work for you.

Play Control

Try an app like Match Play to control your tournament. Players can enter their score, with you controlling the official approval. You choose the games from head-to-head, round robin, elimination, best score, ladder brackets…. This allows you to run tournaments over time. Change the type of tournament to entertain your audience. And – extend the contest so everyone who wants can participate.

If you want a simple, manual bracket game – try printing a large format bracket. Or use chalkboard paint on a wall and draw or paint a bracket.

Approachable

Think ahead to make the game approachable. Everyone likes to participate and win!

  • Grand “Prize”
  • Best Fan Club
  • Announce winners across your TV screens with AMI Ad Manager
  • Consolation “prizes” – worse ball, best flipper, etc
  • Prizes can be money, trophies, medals, gift cards, bar swag (free advertising!), or other prizes

Don’t Drag It Out – But Maybe You Can

Pay attention to how long your tournament will last. You don’t want people to get too bored and leave. Or you can’t finish within last call.

Think about your tournament running over multiple evenings or on a particular week day. Invite players back for a “best of” tournament – along with drink/food specials.

Here’s one real life example from SkyKing2301, Pinside member:

“The last tournament I held was probably more complicated than necessary, but it kept everyone interested (most of whom were just casual / rare players) and they all had a blast. Here was the format I used:

  • 16 people
  • 6 operational pins
  • First: ‘Mini-tournaments’ on each individual pin
  • Players randomly broken into two groups of 8
  • All players play 2 games. (For reasons Bugsy described — sometimes you just have a crap game, or need a chance to figure it out.)
  • Players with the top 2 scores in each group advance to a semifinal match
  • Semifinal winners play one more game to determine individual pin champion
  • Overall Finals: After all 6 pins’ champions are established, each champion then plays one more game on each of the six pins
  • Champion who wins the most games out of the six is the overall tournament winner!
  • Tournament winner receives a trophy and a few scratch-off lotto tickets.
  • High score on each machine gets a scratch-off lotto ticket.
  • Low score on each machine gets a scratch-off lotto ticket.
  • Fun is had by all!”

Start Your Own Pinball Tournament

Interested? Looking for more resources?

  1. Professional and Amateur Pinball Association (PAPA.org) guidelines.
  2. Stern Army
  3. International Flipper Pinball Association
  4. Bullshooter Dart League Downloadable Ads

Call GAD Vending office closest to you or our Omaha office at (402) 553-2812. Our staff has extensive knowledge in tournament resources

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Coming Soon from Stern
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Coming Soon from Stern 2560 1420 Gad Vending

Reviewed at Kotaku.com: The latest silver ball playground from Stern Pinball is a trio of machines based on the 1987 Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles cartoon. They’ve got a spinning magnetic pizza. They’ve got a sculpted Turtle Van that can capture up to four balls. They have a floating Krang. They even play the original theme song.

A new licensed video game is nice, but a new licensed pinball game is a glorious convergence of pop culture and precision mechanical and electrical engineering, a monument to play that will one day hold a place of honor in dirty dive bars and dark, dusty arcades. I can almost see the new Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles machines there now. Read the full review at Kotaku.com.

 

New TMNT Pinball. Stern Authorized Dealer in NE, IA, KS, MO.

 

 

 

Stern Black Knight Sword of Rage Pinball in Omaha, Kansas City and Des Moines.
GAD Vending sells Stern The Munsters pinball in black and white.
Stern Ghostbusters Pinball at GAD Vending.

Just Say “Stern” to Save $100
Just Say “Stern” to Save $100 1261 553 Gad Vending

Just say “Stern” (as in Stern Pinball) to save $100 on any game available through GAD Vending.

Sales on for any of our pinball games – including from Stern, American and Chicago. Includes all our games – including our popular Classic-Cade and shuffleboard. And our digital darts.

Your choice of one game for $100 off, two games at $200 off, you get the idea….

Check out our current inventory in our warehouses in Nebraska, Iowa and Kansas  City. Or call us for quick ship options.

Offer ends 7/4/2020

 

Jon the game evolution with commercial foosball games

Why Your Home Gameroom is Missing the Mark (And How You Can Fix It)
Why Your Home Gameroom is Missing the Mark (And How You Can Fix It) 2083 2083 Gad Vending

Many families assume the only thing kids want to do is exercise their thumbs on video games – when so many times an interactive game with the family is the ticket to the ultimate family fun night!

Look critically at your gameroom. Is the only feature a sofa facing a TV? The only opportunity for interaction when someone breaks for the kitchen? Why not choose games that the entire family can participate in!

Stay Together. Play Together.

So many opportunities for fun! But understanding the age, room size, player ability, and longevity of the games is important. And, GAD Vending is here to answer your questions to create the ultimate gameroom for your family.

Foosball

Foosball is naturally a game that gets the family playing – and competing together. Play one on one. Play two on two. Play tournaments. Play round-robin. Hours of fun!

A commercial foosball game is more expensive but the years of gaming fun is what our residential buyers are looking for.

Golden Tee Home Edition

The Golden Tee Home Edition is the exact same game- arcade-style cabinet and all- that you have played and adored at bars and pubs for 30 years. Tailored to home use, Golden Tee comes equipped with dozens of courses and a wide variety of features and formats that make it a must-have item for every basement or man cave.

Golden Tee maintains players standing and stats. Allows for individual play, or create private tournaments. Your family can also play online.

Pinball

Pinball is available in a wide variety of titles. And, even the youngest players are attracted to the lights and sounds of a great pinball machine! Years and years of fun.

Family friendly pinball games include:

Stranger Things, Zombie Baseball, The Addams Family, Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy, Attack from Mars, and The Munsters

Pinball machines vary greatly in price. The pinball manufacturers set the MRSP (Manufacturer Suggested Retail Price) that we are required by contract to adhere to. Price also includes: shipping, delivery, and sales tax where applicable. GAD Vending’s policy is to disclose the total price prior to sale. Credit cards, cash or check is accepted.

Pinball can be set by GAD Vending for free play prior to pick-up or delivery.

GAD Vending helps families with home gamerooms from our offices in Des Moines, Kansas City and Omaha. We can are open to the public by appointment (during COVID restrictions).

Updating Family Game Night May Save Your Sanity
Updating Family Game Night May Save Your Sanity 1500 1000 Gad Vending

Spending more family time sounded like a great idea – weeks ago. But as social distancing, safer-at-home and no school continue, so does the family bonding time.

Break Up the Boredom and Up Your Game Night

While video games on the TV  can be fun, they generally don’t engage the entire family. Why not change your gaming to match your family dynamic?

Here are a few suggestions:

Table Classic-Cade

This is the perfect family game for all ages, genders and skill levels. Included in the Classic-Cade are over 60 classic games. And – you can set to play solo, one-against-one or as a team. Gathering around the Classic-Cade table version is fun for the whole family!

Games include: Pac Man, Donkey Kong, Space Invaders, Mario Bros, Centipede, Galaga, Pong and so many more!

The Classic-Cade comes available in a table or console version. Choose the configuration right for your game room.

 

Pinball

Pinball is the ultimate, classic game.

Choose from titles like Zombie Baseball (pictured), Ghostbusters and The Addams Family for younger audiences. Check out Stranger Things, Jurassic Park and Houdini for a junior high school age audience. And, consider Metallica, Iron Maiden or Black Knight for teenagers.

For family favorites across all ages, check out Stern’s Guardians of the Galaxy, Ghostbusters or the Beatles.

Ask us about connecting your Pinball game to the internet. Many of the newer games are internet friendly allowing for remote play against friends, family or internet tournaments!

GAD Vending also has a full parts and service department for pinball – and all our arcade games.

Golden Tee

 Golden Tee Home Edition was designed after the worldwide hit game Golden Tee.

The Home Edition comes programmed with unique and imaginative courses, game play with real time rivals like John Daly, and lots of customization options. 

Stay connected with friends and family remotely! With an internet connection – not only can you compete in online tournaments, but you can create your own private contests. Pick the players—between two and 100(!!!)—select the course, the stakes (yes, you can play for money if your state allows it) and control everything about this specific content. Play your buddy in Albuquerque from the comfort of your man cave. You can create it all on the GT Caddy, our free mobile app available for the Apple and Android device.

Try these games with your family –

Closest-to-the-pin: Get as close to the pin as you possibly can in this fast-paced 9-hole game. It’s the perfect game mode for groups and parties, or players in search of a fun, quick fix.

Skins: A Home Edition Exclusive! Play your buddies for bragging rights one hole at a time. Skins, played with 2 through 4 players, is not about total score, it’s about beating your opponents on as many of the 18 holes as you possibly can!

Darts

Think of darts as a board tacked on the wall? How the game has changed – and improved! Electronic darts has upped the game with electronic scoring, tracking player ratings, and internet tournaments. Play solo, solo in internet tournaments, as a family or remote against your friends!

Our new favorite electronic darts game is the G3 Galaxy Fire featuring:

  • Larger 24” Monitor
  • Automatic Target Flip
  • Live Remote Play
  • Remote Leagues
  • Glowing Cabinet
  • Made in the USA

 

Need help configuring the best home game room? Or just want a single, quick game to entertain the family this week? Call us! GAD knows games (and we love to play!) We’ll check our instock inventory. And help you arrange your pick-up, delivery or shipping.

Already have a game at home that’s busted? GAD Vending techs can help you trouble shoot the problem, and we have a large stock of parts.

GAD Vending provides games to Nebraska, Iowa, Missouri, Kansas and South Dakota.

GAD Vending

Greater America Distributing (GAD Vending) is your premier marketer of vending equipment and amusement games in Mid America.  The company has been operating for over 30 years with offices in Omaha, Nebraska; Kansas City, Missouri; and Grimes, Iowa, a suburb of Des Moines.

Omaha

6161 Grover Street, Omaha,
NE 68106

1-402-553-2812
jerry@gadvending.com

1-402-553-2812
donp@gadvending.com

Kansas City

3230 Roanake Road, Kansas City,
MO 64111

1-816-531-4300
brettz@gadvending.com

1-816-531-4300
matt@gadvending.com

Des Moines

2105 SE 37 Street, Grimes,
Iowa 50111

1-515-278-4455
mons@gadvending.com

1-515-278-4455
mikev@gadvending.com

Greater America Distributing

© 2020 Gad Vending. All Rights Reserved.

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