After 2 1/2 years of collecting pins, I've heard of these mysterious lists but have yet to see an actual one compiled. Figuring it's all subjective anyway, I'd love to see your own personal A and B lists.. say 5 machines from each, in no particular order (or, list them in order if you want). HOWEVER... I really think the only machines that should be on there are machines you have actually played... calling a game an A-lister because "everyone else says so" is kinda like jumping off a bridge because everyone else is doing it, dontcha think? Cost or rarity of the game shouldn't matter either, for the purpose of these lists.
Anywho, here's what I would list (in no particular order)..
Own Magic, Star Gazer, Batman Forever, STTNG, Mystery Castle (project)
Gone Fairy, Secret Service, Meteor x3, Title Fight, Eight Ball Deluxe, Bone Busters Inc., Seawitch, Starship Troopers, Strange Science, Arena, Hook, Pin*Bot x2, Time Warp, Motordome, Robocop, Black hole, Jurassic Park , Wipe-Out, Pinball Pro: Challenger I, Swords of Fury, Stargate, Party Zone
A list = Anything worth $3000 or more B list = Anything worth $1000 to $2999 C list = Anything worth $999 and lower
Interesting, since I've played a boatload of games I'd consider A-list that generally cost way less than $1k and I've played lots of supposed 'A'-list titles that I don't care to ever play again.
Interesting, since I've played a boatload of games I'd consider A-list that generally cost way less than $1k and I've played lots of supposed 'A'-list titles that I don't care to ever play again.
Not me...I find that the best games Ive ever played are all around/over $3000. The pretty good games are $1200- $2500 The games that are OK, for a bit, are under that price.
There are a few hidden gems/duds here and there...but really, that's what Ive noticed.
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I would say that the "A B C lists" are out of our control, as they are not really personal lists, but market lists based on RGP, Pinball Classifieds, Mr.PinballGuide and lots of other sources of "Top 10".
But I agree that price (for a good condition example of the game) is a pretty good indicator of status, good on ya Hippochrome for nailing it for us. It makes sense that any new pin starts out on the A list, and subsequently falls down that list depending on its "staying power". And some titles get honourable mention every once in a while (like a HUO or NIB BK) but in general it's the "used" price/value that places the title in its "list".
Cooke, please provide me a list of A list games under $1000 off line so that I can scoop them up to play the "futures" market.
Of course the lists are based on an aggregate, availability and some market "mystique" - so it follows that "A" list games could be snores and "B" list games underrated, etc.
South Park Rocky and Bullwinkle High Speed Diner Tommy
The lists are subjective, just like everyone else's, these are machines that I like and would like to own (or own again in some cases)
Currently Owning: Vids- Road Blasters, Road Runner, Joust, Golden Tee 2005 Pins- Back to the Future, Theatre of Magic, Joker Poker, Grand Tour, Hyperball
Previously Owned: Vids- Far too many to list Pins- High Speedx2, The Shadow, Mystic.
It makes sense that any new pin starts out on the A list, and subsequently falls down that list depending on its "staying power".
So by this logic, Dale Jr. is still an A-list pin and games like Austin Powers and Stern's Playboy are solid B-list titles?
I don't think I follow... I mean, I'd consider a Stern Lightning or a Bally Strange Science a B-list title LOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOoooooong before I'd consider a Stern Playboy or AP.. or even a Dale Jr. for that matter
But I guess that's the whole point, it's all a matter of opinion
Own Magic, Star Gazer, Batman Forever, STTNG, Mystery Castle (project)
Gone Fairy, Secret Service, Meteor x3, Title Fight, Eight Ball Deluxe, Bone Busters Inc., Seawitch, Starship Troopers, Strange Science, Arena, Hook, Pin*Bot x2, Time Warp, Motordome, Robocop, Black hole, Jurassic Park , Wipe-Out, Pinball Pro: Challenger I, Swords of Fury, Stargate, Party Zone
So by this logic, Dale Jr. is still an A-list pin and games like Austin Powers and Stern's Playboy are solid B-list titles?
I don't think I follow... I mean, I'd consider a Stern Lightning or a Bally Strange Science a B-list title LOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOoooooong before I'd consider a Stern Playboy or AP.. or even a Dale Jr. for that matter
But I guess that's the whole point, it's all a matter of opinion
Stern Playboy and AP don't go for 3K, they usually go for sub 3K and I think if I remeber correctly ME was selling her Nascar for less then 3K.
gotta admit thou, there are some Z list ones i dont even need/or want to try
I'll try anything once.. I think it's not really fare to tell someone something is a terrible game without actually trying it first. Sure, Hollywood Heat is a damn fugly game.. but it plays alright. Scared Stiff is a great looking game, but it did nothing for me.. (it was alright, but can't see myself owning one)
Own Magic, Star Gazer, Batman Forever, STTNG, Mystery Castle (project)
Gone Fairy, Secret Service, Meteor x3, Title Fight, Eight Ball Deluxe, Bone Busters Inc., Seawitch, Starship Troopers, Strange Science, Arena, Hook, Pin*Bot x2, Time Warp, Motordome, Robocop, Black hole, Jurassic Park , Wipe-Out, Pinball Pro: Challenger I, Swords of Fury, Stargate, Party Zone
If I respect the previous criteria given, estimating by value, here is my list:
A-List: Not a goddamn single one. It will be a cold day in hell before I spend 3000+ on a machine. I do like TZ, Scared Stiff, Monster Bash, TSPP and Big Bang Bar... just that I will never own any of them.
B-List: Catacomb TFTC Demolition Man Revenge From Mars Rolling Stones (I just like it... played it a lot as a kid and at Allentown this year)
C-list: Flash Gordon Freefall Big Game Firepower Barracora
Z-List: Genesis Fireball Home edition (I play it with my son a lot, his fave...)
if I went by overall favorites, my list would be different.
So by this logic, Dale Jr. is still an A-list pin and games like Austin Powers and Stern's Playboy are solid B-list titles?
I don't think I follow... I mean, I'd consider a Stern Lightning or a Bally Strange Science a B-list title LOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOoooooong before I'd consider a Stern Playboy or AP.. or even a Dale Jr. for that matter
But I guess that's the whole point, it's all a matter of opinion
-Playboy and Austin Powers are very solidly B titles...price and playability -Nascar is a really really fun game, and kinda pricey...So yeah, totally an A list game.
A list is the stuff that rarely circulates around and gets buried in a serious collectors basement forever. As a result you rarely see one FS and if it is they aren't going far off the going rate to sell it. It is not necessarily about price. If you are a collector of a certain genre you will find A's and B's in that genre.
B list is all the other stuff that becomes community pinball i.e. it moves around the pinball community with little concern on the sellers behalf.
So by this logic, Dale Jr. is still an A-list pin and games like Austin Powers and Stern's Playboy are solid B-list titles?
I don't think I follow... I mean, I'd consider a Stern Lightning or a Bally Strange Science a B-list title LOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOoooooong before I'd consider a Stern Playboy or AP.. or even a Dale Jr. for that matter
But I guess that's the whole point, it's all a matter of opinion
You've confirmed the theory as the Playboy titles, and AP are solid B list tiles, but Stern Lightening and Strange Science remain stuck as C list. Dale Jr. has so few resales that I'll bet its hard to guess at this point, but if it really does sell at $4k then I say it's an A list. But I'll bet Indianapolis 500 should be A list (but its a B).
There are lots of underrated pins. I gave up a Shaq Attaq that I acquired at a good price once, and I still regret that decision, I've been looking for one (and a Stargate) ever since.
These ratings mean squat. A list means they're more popular titles and has correlation to value. It may be due to the theme or the production run or fun factor. Means not a whole lot in regards to playability. I tried out TAF for awhile. Couldn't stand it. Had TZ for awhile. Don't think I want another one. Played AFM for a bit. Thought it was boring. MM? sorta meh about that too. Buy what you like and don't let ratings get in the way.
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Who said anything about tha ABC lists meaning anything other than what they do ... machines ranked by price and collectablility?? People are getting caught up in playability and sentimentality as if it had anything but a peripheral effect on the "lists"!?
By all means buy and cherish your B and C list games (I know I do). Maybe they'll make it to the "A" list one day?
Take, for example "Pinball Magic" a solid "B" list pin that bounces all over the place in popularity, but mainly because it has some nice toys, great animation and sound, looks great and is relatively "rare" being a Capcom. Does that have anything to do with its overall playability appeal? No, because some people (the "video crowd") like linear, repetitive goal oriented DMD games, others don't. Who Dunnit? often falls in to this same category. I tried both (havng a "B" list budget) and both failed to capture my throwback to the 70's and 80's "I like randomness in pinball" mentality.
Wayne (helping rake muck and you all fell into it).
A list is the stuff that rarely circulates around and gets buried in a serious collectors basement forever. As a result you rarely see one FS and if it is they aren't going far off the going rate to sell it. It is not necessarily about price. If you are a collector of a certain genre you will find A's and B's in that genre.
B list is all the other stuff that becomes community pinball i.e. it moves around the pinball community with little concern on the sellers behalf.
This is the best definition I have seen. Pretty much sums it up except I disagree on price.
Most A titles cost a pretty penny and it's due to demand. An A game doesn't, in my opinion, mean the game play is better than a B, merely that is commands a high dollar value. That said I have found most A titles are more fun than B titles, but there are exceptions to every rule and there are a few A's that I don't care for.
The price is absolutely not a good reason to rate a pinball imho. Good reasons to rate them is personnal and depend on each person and what they are looking for: Personnally i prefer early 80's pins for: Electronics sounds (i prefer sounds over music) Sci-fi and fantasy theme and artwork Very nice flow ( not too much object on the playfield )(no dmd video mode) Nice multiball ( same reason, not too much object on the playfield, multiball are better imo) High score value ( you cannot remember your high score when it is 584,724,326,254 ) Score display over 10,000,000 is pointless imo Nostalgia
I cannot rate ''A'' only 5 pinball, i like them so much !! I can rate ''A'' easily 15-20 early 80's pins.
Pins Bally: Xenon - Centaur - Fathom(Project) - Embryon(Project) Williams: Black Knight(Huo) - Firepower(Project) Gottlieb: Black Hole - Haunted House Stern: Flight 2000(Project) - Freefall(Project) - Big Game(Project) - Seawitch(Project) - Lightning(project) - Quicksilver(Project) WTB: Catacomb (In any condition) View pics here:http://www.pinballowners.com/hal-9ooo (please vote !!! )
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Figuring it's all subjective anyway, I'd love to see your own personal A and B lists.. say 5 machines from each, in no particular order (or, list them in order if you want). HOWEVER... I really think the only machines that should be on there are machines you have actually played... calling a game an A-lister because "everyone else says so" is kinda like jumping off a bridge because everyone else is doing it, dontcha think? Cost or rarity of the game shouldn't matter either, for the purpose of these lists.
, Wipe-Out, Pinball Pro: Challenger I, Swords of Fury, Stargate, Party Zone
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