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.

GAD’s New Year’s Resolutions

GAD’s New Year’s Resolutions 1388 950 GAD Vending

What are we planning for 2022? More pinball. More Golden Tee and definitely more darts!

Come join the gaming resolutions. Don’t just sit and play – though you can do that with our Classic Cade game table. Be up and active with your gaming time.

We stock pinball, Golden Tee’s, darts, commercial pool tables and so much more. Many of our games now connect to the internet for local game play, international tournaments or compete with friends this winter.

With offices in Omaha, Des Moines and Kansas City, you are close to getting your own games to fill your man cave.

It May Be Less Than A Week To Christmas, But Don’t Panic

It May Be Less Than A Week To Christmas, But Don’t Panic 1200 628 GAD Vending

Well, maybe panic a little. Time is getting short but GAD can help. Our warehouses in Omaha, Kansas City and Des Moines have games in stock available for home purchase.

GAD regularly stocks various pinball games, Golden Tee, digital darts and other commercial games. Once we determine what games you are interested in, we’ll create a quote so you know exactly the costs.

GAD doesn’t deliver everywhere but games are available for curbside pick up.

Just say “GAD Knows Pinball” and get $100 off.

Make it a Stern Home PIN Holiday

Make it a Stern Home PIN Holiday 940 788 GAD Vending

In the past, most pinball machines from Stern were made in three levels. With various changes that affected both price and functionality, this brought the price closer to what a home user felt comfortable paying. But, pinball for the home user still remained a bit out of reach.

Stern announced their PIN line to bridge that gap. They’ve since brought along three titles that play well to the family. Star Wars Comic Art Pin, Star Wars Pin and Jurassic Park Pin.

All three of these titles are available, in stock (at the time of this writing) at GAD. And, for an additional fun thing, say

“GAD Know Pinball” and get $100 off your new PIN.

(Stern Pinball) A Pinball Adventure 65 Million Years in the Making… Stern Pinball Announces New Jurassic Park Pin, a new stylish, affordable, and fun pinball machine designed and engineered for the home!

Jurassic Park Pin immerses players in a pinball journey 65 million years in the making. Based on the blockbuster film Jurassic Park from Universal Pictures and Amblin Entertainment, the Jurassic Park Pin experience will transport players to Isla Nublar, an amusement park where escaped dinosaurs are running amok! With the volcano on the island erupting and threatening to destroy everything in its path, it is the player’s mission to rescue park staff, evacuate and recapture dinosaurs, and escape before it’s too late! Players will experience heart-pounding excitement right from the start in this action-packed pinball adventure filled with suspense, twists, and turns around every flip.

Jurassic Park Pin brings to life the most fearsome predator ever to walk the earth with an interactive, custom sculpted T. rex. Players will battle against the Spinosaurus by bashing a captive ball and corral Raptors in their enclosed pen with precision shooting. Fast flowing metal ramps, lightning quick spinners, and kinetically satisfying physical drop targets will provide players with an adrenalized game experience packed with unmatched action and fun. The all-LED playfield lighting provides dazzling light shows in sync with the iconic Jurassic Park theme music to create an immersive pinball experience.

The easy-to-setup Jurassic Park Pin is affordable, reliable, built to last, and engineered with genuine Stern commercial-quality parts. The playfield is housed in a stylish cabinet with dynamic, high definition, hand-drawn artwork. Complementing the iconic theme and exciting gameplay, Stern Pinball’s powerful SPIKE™ electronics hardware system enables high-definition graphics and innovative animations on the LCD display. SPIKE™ also reduces system complexity and energy usage, resulting in enhanced reliability and simplified servicing.

“Jurassic Park is an iconic film featuring something we all love…dinosaurs! The Jurassic Park Pin is designed to provide quality family entertainment and bring pinball fun to homes everywhere,” said Gary Stern, Chairman and CEO of Stern Pinball, Inc. “This game will be an incredible addition to any home!”

Making it a Stern Holiday with GAD

Making it a Stern Holiday with GAD 1200 628 GAD Vending

Many pinball games in stock and more on the way!

Stern is our best represented line of pinball with titles like – The Mandalorian, Godzilla, Led Zeppelin, Star Wars Pin and many more.

At GAD, we know pinball. So, for the holidays call (402) 553-2812 and say “GAD Knows Pinball” and get $100 off. That’s a free $100 towards your new pinball.

Cyber Monday Success is The Mandalorian Pinball from GAD

Cyber Monday Success is The Mandalorian Pinball from GAD 722 363 GAD Vending

Didn’t find any gifts for the holidays this weekend? No wonder – the perfect gamer family gift is The Mandalorian Pinball by Stern Pinball.

The Mandalorian is scheduled to be in stock this week to GAD, call us and set up to get yours today!

The story of The Mandalorian is set after the fall of the Galactic Empire and before the emergence of the First Order. The series follows the travails of a lone gunfighter in the outer reaches of the galaxy, far from the authority of the New Republic.

In this action-packed Stern pinball quest, players are transported to a galaxy far, far away as they play as the Mandalorian, teaming up with key allies and protecting Grogu, while battling dangerous enemies and forces across their journey.

“Star Wars is timeless and our players have enjoyed every pinball machine reimagined by the iconic space saga,” said Gary Stern, Chairman and CEO of Stern Pinball, Inc. “Stern’s new pinball machine, inspired by The Mandalorian, continues that tradition with an engaging and exciting story for an entirely new generation of fans around the world. Collaborating with Lucasfilm, we have brought all of the suspense, excitement, and action from the Star Wars galaxy into a one-of-a-kind pinball adventure perfect for any location or home game room.”

Prepare for battle on the gravity-changing, rotating Encounter upper mini playfield available on the Premium and Limited Edition models. This innovative, motorized rotating playfield is packed with six stand-up targets, lights, and two full-size flippers for high intensity pinball action. Watch out for ambushes!

Like the Mandalorian seen in the series, players can be ambushed by enemy forces. A dynamic inner loop shot activates an up/down horseshoe scoop ramp for fast, repeatable precision shooting, creating tense experiences on the Premium and Limited Edition models. Players can navigate their way to multiball mayhem by hitting a unique hanging uplift target attached to a custom molded Razor Crest ship. Success in hitting the target qualifies a center ramp shot on the Pro, Premium, and Limited Edition models. Features of The Mandalorian-inspired pinball machines include a large custom sculpture of Grogu, authentic video and audio from seasons one and two, and exclusive custom speech performed by actor Carl Weathers (Greef Karga).

The game includes the iconic title theme song by Ludwig Göransson and stunning hand-drawn artwork by Randy Martinez, one of today’s most popular comic artists.

GAD is an authorized Stern Pinball Dealer. We stock, maintain and sell parts for Stern Pinball games in Nebraska, South Dakota, Kansas, Missouri and Iowa.

Houdini Pinball for the Entire Family

Houdini Pinball for the Entire Family 880 584 GAD Vending

Looking for a fun pinball for the entire family? With keys to unlock mysteries. Vanishing. Mystery. Illusion.

It’s one of the most intriguing pinball machines ever manufactured for one of America’s most intriguing heroes. True to form, this is a pinball game you won’t easily escape from, though you’re sure to delight in trying! An interactive experience that will draw you in, Houdini Master of Mystery by American Pinball lets you in on the tricks, stunts, and secrets that made the master illusionist the legend he was.

Assembled in the US. In stock at GAD (at this posting) at a location near Omaha, Des Moines and Kansas City. Vanishing fast as a perfect holiday gift for the family.

RePlay Magazine: Professor uses pinball as teaching tool

RePlay Magazine: Professor uses pinball as teaching tool 1255 491 GAD Vending

(Repost from University of Cincinnati) Fuchs was featured in RePlay Magazine, a trade magazine for the coin-operated amusement game industry. Fuchs employs pinball machines as a fun way to teach a variety of principles in his mechatronics course.

“The class focuses on how to sense and interact with the world around us through the integration of microcontrollers, actuators, sensors and supporting electronics,” Fuchs told Replay. “Although the lessons are taught within the context of pinball, the topics are generally applicable to the broader embedded systems, automation and robotics industries and provide students with valuable hands-on experience in building and testing a real-world, cyber-physical system.”

He also teaches a pinball design and programming course as part of the University Honors Program, which is open to students in any major. Fuchs said the course fuses multiple disciplines, including engineering, computing, design and art, to “create an integrated pinball experience that tells a story.”

In October, Fuchs took his students to Chicago to the Pinball Expo and a tour of the Stern Pinball factory. Stern has donated pinball machines and components.

Fuchs’ classes and research are also supported by an Ohio Department of Higher Education grant and the Air Force Research Lab. His research work includes developing AI strategies for adversarial environments.

Read more about how Zach Fuchs got started with pinball.

Read the Replay Magazine article.

Featured image at top: Pinball machines in Zach Fuchs’ UC research lab. Photo/Corrie Mayer/UC CEAS Marketing.

GAD Knows Pinball (And How to Stock!)

GAD Knows Pinball (And How to Stock!) 2048 1363 GAD Vending

GAD has been a long time stocking dealer of pinball, games and vending equipment. In a time with supply line issues, shortage of chips and other parts, GAD has been writing strong orders to keep our inventory flowing.

For everything. We have games, Golden Tee, Claw Machines, ATM’s, digital music and vending machines in stock or coming in. We also have a large inventory of parts across our three offices.

But this does not apply to every pinball title. If you are looking for a certain pinball, call us. We are happy to tell you what we have, what we expect to have and how much. GAD believes in firm quotes prior to the sale.

Here’s just an idea of what we have in our games department. We have lots more on order without firm delivery scheduled yet:

On Hand

  1. Guns N’ Roses LE (Jersey Jack)
  2. Houdini (American Pinball)
  3. Hotwheels (American Pinball)
  4. Star Wars Comic Art Pin (Stern)
  5. Led Zeppelin Pro (Stern)
  6. Iron Maiden Premium (Stern)
  7. Golden Tee Home Edition
  8. Galaxy 3 Fire Darts
  9. Multicades Upright and Cocktail

Due before Dec 1

  1. Star Wars Pin (Stern)
  2. Jurassic Park Pin (Stern)
  3. Mandalorain Pro (Stern)
  4. Godzilla Pro (Stern)

New American Pinball – Legends of Valhalla

New American Pinball – Legends of Valhalla 1043 695 GAD Vending

On order and coming soon to GAD is American Pinball’s newest pinball game – Legends of Valhalla.

Very limited production originally announced at 300 but the overwhelming orders that come in to American made them jump to 500.

GAD has Valhalla on order but many are already spoken for. If you are interested, don’t wait! Call your closest GAD office to secure yours today. 

5 Surprising Secrets to Making Money with Pinball Machines (with a Younger Audience)

5 Surprising Secrets to Making Money with Pinball Machines (with a Younger Audience) 640 640 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 younger and younger generations. And, here’s why.

1) Engaging Games

Pinball manufacturers have responded to new, tech savvy audiences with creative pinball game formats and technology. Internet connectivity for score keeping and tournaments. Adding LED lighting. New technology in the game field. Added sound technologies to create an immersive experience. And so much more.

So many recent examples from Stern Pinball alone. Godzilla. Led Zeppelin. Star Wars The Mandalorian. Marvel’s Infinity Quest: End Game and TMNT. Current movies and music represented in pinball plus long standing titles that are ingrained in pop culture.

2) 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 (local) machine score.
  • Connect your Pinball to the internet for game play against other high scores, games across locations or tournaments.
  • Pinball apps are becoming popular. For example, Stern Pinball’s Insider Connected app is amazing for the connected gamer.
  • Pinball keeps groups of people longer – ordering more food and drinks.
  • Run a casual or professional pinball tournament.

3) 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.
  • Place a new machine and run promotions for high score, longest run or other fun incentives.

5) Entertainment Destination

Set up a mini game center with pinball, claw machines and other games to give your customers entertainment while they wait for a table, for their food order or other guest services. Games give people a moment of escape while they are waiting. And, gives the owner additional revenue while people are hanging around.

5) Entertainment Destination

Single pinball games, as a standalone profit center, may not make a lot of money. What pinball machines do is help the establishment create excitement, entertainment and gives patrons an immersive experience. 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 sales rep a call (or our main office at 402-553-2812).