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.

So Many Great Games on Order. So Many In Stock Now!

So Many Great Games on Order. So Many In Stock Now! 1536 2048 GAD Vending

The supply chain is a definite issue but at GAD we have so many games, pinball, ATM’s and vending machines on order that we do have equipment steadily coming in. (Just not on every title that we have demand for.)

Godzilla order is in, and being delivered now.

If there is something you need in 2021 for your commercial site or home, it’s time to give us a call and get your order in.

GAD Has Games, Pinball and Vending Machines in stock!

Due this year: 

Godzilla, Mandalorian Pro & Premium, Avengers Premium, Jurassic Park, Beatles Gold, Deadpool Premium, TMNT Pro and Premium, Star Wars Pin, Stranger Things Pro – and so many more great pinball titles!

Golden Tee PGA. Jet Pong. Claw Machines. Digital Music. And, of course, a lot of different vending machines.

 

Looking for Pinball Tournaments?

Looking for Pinball Tournaments? 377 379 GAD Vending

Looking for a pinball tournament near you? So easy. Just hit the IFPA calendar and select your location and dates. Done.

Want more engagement? Join the Stern Army. The Stern Army organizes tournaments, events, and so much more. From fun unboxing parties to tournaments, join Stern Army to add to your pinball fun!

Stern’s Insider Connected App

Stern’s Insider Connected App 494 315 GAD Vending

Go in depth with George Gomez as he explains our newest innovation: STERN INSIDER CONNECTED!

Engage with pinball in a whole new way; track your progress, discover new ways to play your favorite games, unlock exclusive content, and so much more!

Stern Connected Games aren’t your typical pinball machines. They’re super-powered. They have state-of-the-art hardware that allows them to recognize players, connect to the internet, and track player scores and activities. Combined with a companion app, Stern Insider is a completely new online gaming system built specifically for and by pinball players.

Each Insider Connected Game has a QR Code scanner built into the bottom arch of the game. Insider Connected players can log into any connected game using their unique QR Code and instantly begin tracking their scores, earning achievements and exploring a new world of connected pinball.

Connected Games connect to a local network in one of two ways: wirelessly over Wi-Fi or through an Ethernet port. While connected to the internet, each machine will track and sync scores and game play activity to your account. The Insider Connected app is your gateway to the universe of Insider Connected. It works in any browser and is also optimized for your phone.

Use the app to create a player profile, view scores, and connect with other players. You’re just one tap away from displaying your unique player code and logging into a machine.

Connect with GAD if you have questions how to set up your Stern Pinball game to Insider Connected in Nebraska, Iowa, South Dakota and Kansas City.

New Home Pinball! Jurassic Park Pin Available for Pre Orders Now!

New Home Pinball! Jurassic Park Pin Available for Pre Orders Now! 830 463 GAD Vending

Affordable Pinball Machine for the Home

CHICAGO, IL – October 12, 2021 – Stern Pinball, Inc., announces the availability of 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!”

Pricing and Availability:

 Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price (“MSRP”)*:                                      $US 4,599

*MSRP for sales to USA end-users, before any VAT, GST, Sales Tax, Duties, or other taxes.     

 The Jurassic Park Pin is available to pre-order now through authorized Stern Pinball distributors, like GAD Vending. 

About Stern Pinball, Inc.

Stern Pinball, Inc. is a global lifestyle brand based on the iconic and outrageously fun modern American game of pinball.  Headquartered minutes from Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport in the heart of North America, the company creates, designs, engineers, manufactures, markets, and distributes a full line of technologically advanced terrestrial and digital pinball games, parts, accessories, and merchandise.  Stern Pinball serves digital, consumer, commercial, and corporate markets around the globe.

Recent Stern Pinball titles include Godzilla, The Mandalorian, Led Zeppelin, Avengers: Infinity Quest, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Stranger Things, Elvira’s House of Horrors, Jurassic Park, Black Knight: Sword of Rage, The Munster’s, The Beatles, Deadpool, Iron Maiden, Guardians of the Galaxy, Star Wars, Aerosmith, Ghostbusters, KISS, Metallica, Game of Thrones, The Walking Dead, Star Trek, AC/DC, Batman, and Spider-Man.  A broad range of players enjoy Stern Pinball’s games from professional pinball players who compete in high-stakes competitions around the globe to novice players who are discovering the allure of the silver ball for the first time.  To join the fun and learn more, please visit www.sternpinball.com.

About Jurassic World Franchise

From Universal Pictures and Amblin Entertainment, Jurassic World immerses audiences of all ages in a new era of wonder and thrills where dinosaurs and humankind must learn to coexist. Jurassic World is more than a film franchise. At every turn, this $5 billion film series delivers a larger-than-life destination for exploration, discovery, and epic adventure. Dinosaurs live again and they live in Jurassic World.

Godzilla – The Hype is Real

Godzilla – The Hype is Real 1200 632 GAD Vending

The King has arrived!  Toho International, Inc. and Stern Pinball announced a new line of pinball machines based on the iconic King of the Monsters, Godzilla! And the hype is real.

The game trailer premiered directly on Toho’s official YouTube channel with the press and media exposure train not slowing down with features on The NerdistHYPEBEASTColliderSuperHeroHypeThe Pop InsiderMoviewebShackNewsJoBloLicense GlobalAusretrogamerHardcore GamerYahoo!, and a deep dive by This Week in Pinball to name a few.

The official reveal stream with Dead Flip and the game team was mirror broadcast by the world famous streamer, Shroud on his Twitch channel https://www.twitch.tv/shroud (collective following base of over 20 million followers across all social media platforms!). This live stream event had over 600,000 live views between both platforms reaching a massive new audience of eyeballs.

Visit the official Godzilla game page for full details on this action-packed pinball experience including the official game trailerPro model game features, and Premium/LE model game features!  You can also check out the reveal stream on the Pro model with Dead Flip and Chicago Belles & Chimes here!

If you are interested in owning a Stern Pinball Godzilla game in Nebraska, Iowa, South Dakota or Kansas City – check in with your local GAD office. We have a limited number on order and available for commercial or home pre-purchase.

Guns n’ Roses Internet Connectivity and Update Tutorial

Guns n’ Roses Internet Connectivity and Update Tutorial 663 472 GAD Vending

Step by step how to set up internet connectivity on your new Guns n’ Roses Pinball. If you have any questions, contact your  service tech at GAD.

The King of the Monsters Arrives to Stern Pinball

The King of the Monsters Arrives to Stern Pinball 427 340 GAD Vending

THE KING OF THE MONSTERS ARRIVES! TOHO INTERNATIONAL, INC. AND STERN PINBALL ANNOUNCE NEW GODZILLA PINBALL MACHINES

CHICAGO, IL – September 14, 2021 – Stern Pinball, Inc. and Toho International, Inc., the subsidiary of the Japanese entertainment studio Toho Co., Ltd, announce a new line of pinball machines based on the iconic Toho film franchise featuring the King of the Monsters, Godzilla!  The Godzilla pinball machines are available in Pro, Premium, and Limited Edition (LE) models.

Godzilla is the longest running film franchise created by Toho, with thirty-two films produced since 1954. The popularity of the films have made Godzilla one of the most recognizable symbols in pop culture worldwide. In addition to numerous accolades and cinematic awards for film, music, and special effects, the Godzilla film series and licensed characters have generated over $1 billion in merchandise sales around the world.

In this monster-packed pinball adventure, players become Godzilla! The evil aliens, the Xiliens, use mind control rays to take control of the monsters King Ghidorah, Gigan, Megalon, Ebirah, and Titanosaurus. The Xiliens are demanding all of Earth’s resources. Godzilla and its allies, Mothra, Rodan, and Anguirus, battle the Xilien invasion with the goal of conquering Mechagodzilla to become King of the Monsters!

Chaos and destruction ensue on the playfield with Godzilla multiball, started by shooting one of the various shots in and through the centrally located skyscraper.  In the Premium and LE models, a motor actuates the skyscraper, diverting balls through each of its five stories as it collapses, ultimately locking three balls on its roof.  The Premium/LE playfield also features a collapsing bridge ramp. This animated breakaway ramp is guarded by a custom molded Godzilla and can divert pinballs back to the flipper or directly onto the playfield during Bridge Attack multiball.

On the Premium and LE models, Mechagodzilla features a motorized three-bank target set which rotates to reveal a spinner and jump ramp. Players will engage the Kaiju in battle by launching  pinballs with the jump ramp and bashing the magnetic ball catch on its chest to start Mechagodzilla multiball.

All models of Godzilla pinball machines feature an innovative “Magna Grab” magnetic newton ball, capable of catching pinballs from five different shot paths, including off the plunge. This device can also divert pinballs to set up shots from the upper left flipper. The game also includes the iconic title song “Godzilla” by Blue Oyster Cult, stunning hand-drawn artwork by Zombie Yeti, intricate wireform ramps, three spinning targets (Heat Ray, Mechagodzilla, and Monster Rampage), three flippers, three “powerline” themed stand-up targets and a UFO pop pumper. The game highlights video and audio from ten* Toho Showa Era Godzilla films to create a one-of-a-kind immersive Godzilla pinball experience.

Godzilla pinball machines also debut Stern’s Insider Connected system, which includes a QR code reader on the bottom arch that enables players to interact with the game and this new network in a variety of ways. Stern Insider Connected provides new entertainment and player engagement features and an operator focused tool set to drive location play and remotely manage every aspect of the machines. Insider Connected goes live with the launch of Godzilla, with the full scope of features scheduled for roll out over the next year.

Only 1,000 LE machines will be available. The LE version includes an exclusive full color mirrored backglass inspired by Mechagodzilla, iconic custom cabinet artwork, custom high gloss metallic silver powder-coated pinball armor, a custom designer autographed bottom arch, exclusive inside art blades, upgraded audio system, anti-reflection pinball playfield glass, shaker motor, a sequentially numbered plaque, and a Certificate of Authenticity.

“Partnering with Toho, we have brought the Godzilla universe to pinball” said Gary Stern, Chairman and CEO of Stern Pinball, Inc.  “Insider Connected enables players, owners, and operators to interact with their machines like never before.”

Pricing and Availability:

Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price (“MSRP”)*:

*MSRP for sales to USA end-users, before any VAT, GST, Sales Tax, Duties, or other taxes.                            

Pro Model:                                                      $US 6,899

Premium Model:                                             $US 8,999

Limited Edition Model:                                    $US 10,499

Godzilla pinball machines and accessories are available now through authorized Stern Pinball distributors and dealers around the world.

About Stern Pinball, Inc.

Stern Pinball, Inc. is a global lifestyle brand based on the iconic and outrageously fun modern American game of pinball.  Headquartered minutes from Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport in the heart of North America, the company creates, designs, engineers, manufactures, markets, and distributes a full line of technologically advanced terrestrial and digital pinball games, parts, accessories, and merchandise.  Stern Pinball serves digital, consumer, commercial, and corporate markets around the globe.

Recent Stern Pinball titles include The Mandalorian, Led Zeppelin, Avengers: Infinity Quest, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Stranger Things, Elvira’s House of Horrors, Jurassic Park, Black Knight: Sword of Rage, The Munsters, The Beatles, Deadpool, Iron Maiden, Guardians of the Galaxy, Star Wars, Aerosmith, Ghostbusters, KISS, Metallica, Game of Thrones, The Walking Dead, Star Trek, AC/DC, Batman, and Spider-Man.  A broad range of players enjoy Stern Pinball’s games from professional pinball players who compete in high-stakes competitions around the globe to novice players who are discovering the allure of the silver ball for the first time.  To join the fun and learn more, please visit www.sternpinball.com.

About Toho

Toho Company, Limited, is a Japanese entertainment studio focused on the development, production, exhibition, and distribution of powerful live action and animated content including motion pictures, television and theater. Founded in 1932, Toho remains a prominent force in bringing brands and original storytelling with versatile talents to audiences worldwide. Its subsidiaries include Toho Cinemas, the highest grossing exhibition company in Japan, and Toho International, Inc., a U.S. established incorporated company that manages and commercializes Toho’s intellectual property portfolio. To learn more about Toho, visit: www.toho.co.jp/en/.

Follow Godzilla!

Twitter: @TOHO_GODZILLA

Instagram: @godzilla_toho

YouTube: GodzillaToho

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All trademarks and product names are the property of their respective companies.

*Final video and audio pending licensor approval.

Bar Tournaments to Drive Bar Traffic

Bar Tournaments to Drive Bar Traffic 617 360 GAD Vending

COVID is brutal on getting consistent foot traffic. Taking aside the new protocols, here’s ideas (some new – some reinforcing) to better repeat traffic in your bar, restaurant or barcade.

TRIVIA

Trivia made easy with AMI digital music systems. The digital game master has lots of great games to choose from. Run on every screen in the house for easy social distancing.

AMI also helps you by running contests on to users. This encourages app usage for both gaming and music playing. You, as the owner, has lots of options what to charge for and what’s free.

TOURNAMENTS

Want to turn your slowest night into your busiest? Looking to attracting a competitive audience? Near a gym and want to capture the post-workout crowd? How about a tournament?

Darts are a good one to start with. The G3-Fire can be connected to the internet to create a league with even a few people to start. The G3-Fire is a brilliant red to brighten even the darkest corner.

Billiards – what more can we say? Pool is a favorite with lots of variations to tournament, team or individual play.

Golden Tee also has internet leagues, contests and other built in games. Or work to create your own league. The new Golden Tee PGA is just shipping now, so this is a brand new game for the Golden Tee fan.

Pinball games are getting in the action by adding new internet capabilities. You can run a tournament. Join Stern Army. But always, and we mean always, keep the high scores on the game!

Tournaments should have some type of prize. Check with your local jurisdiction as to what you can and can not award!

Tournament Play Control

If you aren’t using some of the preset internet leagues, 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
  • Make it a team sport
  • Announce winners across your TV screens with AMI Ad Manager
  • Consolation prizes are always a hit – 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 a tournament 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.

Run a triathlon of games. Every Tuesday is a different game that accumulates points. Darts, Pinball, Golden Tee, etc. Players have 4 weeks to complete each station to their best score.

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

*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. GAD Knows and Sells Games, Pinball, Pool and Arcade.