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.

#DYK: GAD has 3 Locations with Lots of Space

#DYK: GAD has 3 Locations with Lots of Space 940 788 GAD Vending

GAD is proud to be celebrating our 40th year in the business of equipment sales and service.

We stock and sell a wide variety of the best equipment in their respected categories.

At GAD’s three locations (Omaha, Kansas City and Des Moines), we stock both equipment and parts to support our various lines. We sell to the vending route trade, commercial business owners and to residential customers. All three of our showrooms are also open to the public.

Call us to find out how GAD can help solve your needs!

John Wick: On the Way

John Wick: On the Way 1920 1440 GAD Vending

Delivering another John Wick pinball game!

This John Wick PRO  is going to a local commercial customer in Omaha, NE and is available for play! (Give us a shout and we’ll give you locations where to play).

If you are interested in pinball for your home or office, let us know. We can talk through what you are looking for, age group that will be playing and your favorite movie, music or TV genre you’d like to play.

ABOUT JOHN WICK

Stern Pinball, Inc. announces its newest line of pinball games featuring the world’s greatest assassin, John Wick. Created in collaboration with Lionsgate, players will experience the thrilling and action-packed billion-dollar grossing John Wick franchise with film-inspired mechanical features and artwork alongside Stern’s all-new dynamic AI combat system. John Wick pinball games are available in Pro, Premium, and Limited Edition (LE) models. The John Wick film franchise is produced by Thunder Road’s Basil Iwanyk and Erica Lee, along with franchise director Chad Stahelski through his 87Eleven Entertainment production company.

In Stern’s John Wick pinball games, players step into the role of the world’s greatest assassin as he fights to escape his past. As the titular character, players can engage in high-speed car chases and fast-action drifting across the playfield, which incorporates models and artwork inspired by iconic locations from the franchise, including the New York Continental Hotel and the Red Circle Club, all set against a dramatically edge lit New York City skyline. Players can also open John Wick’s weapons crate to reveal a hidden shot target path to retrieve an array of weapons. Players must use the sculpted Blood Oath Marker carefully – or risk the consequences. Players need to survive other assassins, complete jobs for the legendary Factions of the High Table, and eventually take on John Wick’s “Special Assignment!”

To raise the stakes, John Wick pinball introduces Stern’s all-new dynamic AI combat system, an innovation that brings the frenetic combat of the legendary films to the game. The Stern team has created a primitive video game AI system to control the enemy lights on the playfield, setting the John Wick pinball games apart from prior pinball machines, where all lights were controlled by player actions, timers, and random number generations. In this new AI combat system, enemy icons are responsive to player behavior and will illuminate dynamically around the playfield to challenge the player. The enemies move tactically with this dynamic software to counter player objectives, creating a unique challenge in each game session. The system also features a new action video player that dynamically reflects player action – as you defeat three enemies, you’ll see video clips of John Wick doing the same in the films!

Accompanying the high-quality film and audio assets woven into the gameplay, John Wick pinball games will include custom narration by critically acclaimed actor Ian McShane as Winston and an original score composed by Charlie Benante of Anthrax and Pantera fame. Additionally, pieces of John Wick’s iconic suits used in connection with the production of the films will be included as a franchise artifact in the LE models, courtesy of Lionsgate. The John Wick pinball games will feature original neo-noir style paintings illustrated by acclaimed artist, Randy Martinez.

“Inspired by one of the most iconic and thrilling film franchises of our time, we’re releasing John Wick pinball games with the most advanced technology we’ve ever created,” said Seth Davis, President & CEO of Stern Pinball, “We can’t wait for players to try out our new combat system and experience the action.”

John Wick pinball games include Stern’s award-winning Insider Connected™ system, which enables players to interact with the game and a global network of players in multiple ways.  Through Insider Connected, players can track progress, earn new game-specific Achievements, take on special John Wick Quests and complete Faction Contracts to increase their Assassin ranking.

Insider Connected also provides an operator-focused toolset to drive location play through a better player experience, game location discovery, location leaderboards, performance analysis, automatic code updates, and remote diagnostics for easier maintenance.  Registration for Insider Connected is available at insider.sternpinball.com/ or in the Insider Connected App.  Download it today on iOS and Android.

Stern Tech School: How to Lift Your Playfield

Stern Tech School: How to Lift Your Playfield 662 751 GAD Vending

In this edition of Stern Tech School, Madeleine Benz shows you how to safely lift your playfield!

Of course, if you need assistance, Stern Pinball also has customer support. GAD also offers free phone support for our customers plus we have service techs in some areas that make service calls. GAD has a full parts department to support your needs as well.

GAD knows Pinball

New: Stern Tech School – How to Set Up Your Pinball Machine

New: Stern Tech School – How to Set Up Your Pinball Machine 2048 1363 GAD Vending

What an awesome video to help figure out just how easy it is to set up a Stern Pinball game. Of course, if you buy from GAD in our geographic area, we’ll deliver and set for free. Save you the time of even watching a video….

Did You Know? GAD Has The Parts

Did You Know? GAD Has The Parts 940 788 GAD Vending

GAD has been in business since 1984 – over 40 years. In that time, we’ve developed a robust sales, parts and service capability.

GAD sells a wide variety of equipment:

  • Vending Machines
  • Pinball Games
  • Digital Darts
  • Golden Tee PGA commercial and home versions
  • ATM Machines
  • Money Changers
  • Breakroom equipment

With all the customers we support from commercial, hospital, arcades, vending route managers, pinball, home game rooms, break rooms and more – we need to be able to grab parts to support all of this equipment.

So, we have parts. Lots of parts. Over 13,000 types of parts. For all that, we have in inventory over 98,000 total parts.

If we don’t have your parts in stock (for some strange reason that does happen), we also have relationships with all the top manufacturers to get the parts you need.

Call us – we ship parts all over the place…

Pre-Order Pulp Fiction Pinball

Pre-Order Pulp Fiction Pinball 813 695 GAD Vending

Pulp Fiction is a retro-inspired full-featured modern pinball machine. Developed at the request of Quentin Tarantino who wanted an 1980’s style Pulp Fiction themed pinball machine for his home. Tarantino’s continued involvement throughout the project shaped the final game. Tarantino rarely licenses his intellectual property, it is a unique privilege to produce a game which pays tribute to this masterpiece.

Legendary pinball designer Mark Ritchie masterfully crafted a playfield which on its surface appears comparable to games from this era but outside of initial perception features more mechanisms and greater depth than most games produced today. David Thiel forcefully pulls the player into this world utilizing over 250 iconic lines from Pulp Fiction’s legendary cast, five licensed songs from the original movie soundtrack, and a number of original compositions. Josh Sharpe developed an approachable rule set that is both intuitive and deep enough to engage even the most skilled player. Scott Pikulski’s vintage inspired art package is both stunning and perfectly cohesive.

The game was developed in a collaboration between Play Mechanix and Chicago Gaming Company. It features original time-tested Williams standard pinball mechanisms and highly reliable Chicago Gaming Company electronics which gives us the confidence to provide the longest warranties in the industry (up to eight times longer than most manufacturers).

GAD has Pulp Fiction SE on pre-order from Chicago pinball and available to reserve!

Looking for Date Night Ideas? 3 At Home Date Ideas

Looking for Date Night Ideas? 3 At Home Date Ideas 940 788 GAD Vending

Date night can be a challenge to come up with something fun to do that doesn’t break the bank. These ideas can apply at home or at your local bar or arcade.

PINBALL

It is amazing how many young people are finding the fun in rousing challenge game of pinball. Easy to play against the other – and the playing field is relatively even between a wide range of people.

If you know a bit about your date – favorite movie, band or interest – there’s a pinball designed to impress your date.

If you are looking to go out to play, GAD knows where great pinball is located in and around Nebraska, Iowa, Kansas and Missouri. This is where our customers are and where we service games! Or, head to the Stern site for their pinball locator app.

If you are looking to start or expand your home game room, GAD has pinball in stock. GAD has free curbside pick up. We deliver free in a limited geography around our offices. We also offer affordable ship to home options. Check it out and give us a call for pricing.

GOLDEN TEE

Golden Tee has amazing courses coming online plus upgrades in avatars, equipment and challenges consistently. And, you have multiple options with this game as well.

Such an easy game for anyone to learn and be competitive in quickly.

Golden Tee PGA is available for online play at many locations to go out and have fun.

Golden Tee PGA Home Edition is an amazing game to have in your home. With an internet connection, you have access to the upgrades and to keep your (and your dates’) scores.

DIGITAL DARTS

Darts is also a great game that takes a small amount of floor space but has high impact for fun play!

The new, G4 Fire is digital! This makes scoring, game board change and fun light shows to help you improve your fun.

Ask GAD to come try games in our Midwest showrooms in Omaha, Des Moines and Kansas City.

 

What’s Your Jaws Pinball Rank?

What’s Your Jaws Pinball Rank? 1039 539 GAD Vending

Have you earned your official JAWS Stern Army Launch Party badge? Get out, compete, and conquer today! And check out this bonus livestream with Stern Software Engineer, Elizabeth Gieske as she takes you through some of the rules in the game on the Flip N’ Out pinball with friends stream. There’s blood in the water as our Insider Connected players are climbing the Bounty Hunter Rankings in JAWS! Fill out Shark JAWS, climb the rankings and become the apex predator of the ocean! What’s your rank?

What’s in your Easter Basket?

What’s in your Easter Basket? 2048 1365 GAD Vending

Normally Easter baskets are all about the eggs, chocolate and the cheap, plastic grass. Why not turn that boring about with a new game in your home?

Bring home pinball, digital darts, Classic-cade and Golden Tee PGA Home edition. Really!

We are always answering customer questions about what game is best for their family. Sometimes it revolves around the age of the kids. Sometimes its about how much space our customer has in their game room.

Here’s a few frequently asked questions: 

  • What games are best for my family? 
    • That depends on the ages of the kids. We have games like Toy Story 4 for young families all the way to rock ‘n roll band pinball games. Usually, one of our first questions is – what is the family’s favorite movie?
    • If the kids are long gone, the question becomes – what do you and your friends love to play?
  • How much space do you have for games?
    • You’d be surprised how little space you need for some games.
      • Darts, for example, don’t need much space – just free, safe air space to throw.
      • Golden Tee PGA console can fit under a stair case.
      • Stern Pinball offers a home edition in some of it’s games. These are a bit small to accommodate homes.
  • Do you deliver and set up to my home? 
    • Yes! We have deliver areas around our offices in Omaha, Des Moines and Kansas City.
    • We also offer curbside pick up for those that are out of our delivery area. Plus free phone support.
    • Shipping in the continental US is also available on all our games.

LIFESTYLE Pinball Hall of Fame offers 25-cent family fun on the Las Vegas Strip, donated $1.2M to charity in 2023

LIFESTYLE Pinball Hall of Fame offers 25-cent family fun on the Las Vegas Strip, donated $1.2M to charity in 2023 1500 964 GAD Vending

Fox News has this wonderful Lifestyle piece on the Pinball Hall of Fame in Las Vegas. Read the full article here.

LIFESTYLE

Pinball Hall of Fame offers 25-cent family fun on the Las Vegas Strip, donated $1.2M to charity in 2023

‘Bunch of old hippies who like to raise money’ operate ‘world’s largest pinball collection’

Call it pinball for peace.

The Pinball Hall of Fame in Las Vegas, Nevada offers a step back in game time amid the high-priced neon glitz and schlock of Sin City — and does it all for good causes.

“We’re a bunch of old hippies who are busted and just like to hang out and play pinball and raise money,” the Hall of Fame’s Tim Arnold told Fox News Digital. His title is “director of stuff and things.”

The organization donated $1.2 million to local causes last year, most of it to the Salvation Army, he said.

The Pinball Hall of Fame is Arnold’s 25,000-square foot arcade with 700 classic pinball machines, some dating back to the 1950s.

It’s free to enter, open to families — and games cost just 25 cents to 50 cents to play. The non-profit is staffed by volunteers.