The Video Game Critic

Pinball PA in Hopwell, PA, in western Pennslvania will blow you away (was going to make a separate thread, but decided to post here). 150 pinball games, 250 arcade games from the 1950's to the 1990's.

I grew up in western PA and visit family and friends yearly. We just got back from a visit, and I took my two sons, 15 and 8, three times to Pinball PA during our one week stay. My wife came along twice and even she said she had a good time.

This place is even better than Funspot in New Hampshire. If it were up to my kids, we would have gone daily. The games are pretty much in immaculate condition. The owners and the engineer have these games up and running beautifully. They have this one pinball game that was a prototype, and there are only 10 in the world. They have this other game from the 60's, where you control and actual water hose to put out fires. As we all know, water and electronics don't mix, and it's mind-boggling that it still works. They also have arcade game Ice-Cold Beer, which those who remember playing back in the day will fondly remember.

Chexx is also a blast to play. I really can't recommend this place enough. You'll feel like you stepped back in time. Only thing missing was hearing Journey, the Police, REO Speedwagon, and the like.

List of arcade games: http://www.pinballpa.com/game-list/video-games
List of pinball machines: http://www.pinballpa.com/game-list/pinball-machines

crime fighter is offended. Oh good gosh! buy yes they are not video games. Another thing to get offended about.....

Dave should have an article on Retro gaming and Pinball hotspots in the U.S.A. Some are permanent, others occassional gaming conventions.

Hopwell, PA is out of my normal travel lanes, but next trip to Gettysburg or Pittsburgh and maybe make the detour up. Coin Op has a long and sometimes edgy and lowbrow history, going back to watching scantily clad for the times girls in kinetoscopes when Grover Cleveland was President, so hope they continue.

As for slots, they are games, and the interaction is by video screen. I think the argument against them being 'video games' is that the players input has no notable effect on the outcome, since that is likely predetermined. The player input - which lines to bet and how much - does notably affect the players fortunes, and there might be betting strategies, but its essentially just as much chance as roullette.

However, if that negates them as 'video games', and maybe it does, is that a new requirement? The Merriam Webster definition is electronically manipulating images produced by a computer program on a video display.