When it comes to electronic entertainment, Michigan is far from the coolest state. But when the Michigan Pinball Expo arrived this July, gamers and pinball enthusiasts alike lined up to experience an arcade throwback unlike any other.
The expo featured this Guitar Hero mod, which combined the original Xbox 360 GH2 controller with an Elvis pinball machine. To move the flippers, players must hold one of three guitar keys (each one corresponds to a different flipper) and strum.
Needless to say, this made the Elvis machine a lot more difficult than it was in its standard form. But the mod also made it more popular and a lot more fun.
This was only one of the many star attractions at the expo, which featured the third annual Michigan Pinball Championships. Andy Rosa took home the grand prize: $1,000 and a custom-made trophy that was designed for the event.
“I was kind of nervous in the beginning,” said Rosa. “But I’m really surprised to win. It’s awesome.”
Regarding his favorite pinball machine, Rosa said that “it doesn’t matter what the game is, if it has the Stern name on it, I like it.”
Aside from the championship – which included several divisions to allow any skill level to enter – the Michigan Pinball Expo kept attendees busy with more than 100 pinball machines. From modern tables like Spider-Man and Family Guy to classics from the 1950s, there was something for everyone.
Roughly 10 years ago, one gutsy pinball manufacturer attempted to combine the classic ball-and-flipper format with video game-style visuals. The resulting product came to be known as Revenge from Mars, one of two pinball machines that feature a screen that can interact with the ball.
Though it may not have been enough to save arcades back in the day, Revenge from Mars thrived at the Michigan Pinball Expo.
As you can see from the image above, the screen is actually hanging over the pinball environment. This table uses special glass that reflects the screen onto the game, creating the illusion that the screen is part of the playing field.
Guitar Hero wasn’t the only pop culture icon to make its way into pinball. The iPod Video did as well, allowing players to watch Creature from the Black Lagoon while playing the pinball machine that’s based on the film
Two classic comic book characters, Spider-Man and Iron Man, ruled the tournament scene:
Stern may be the last pinball manufacturer, but its work is top-notch.
He’s cooler than my Venom action figure.
Don’t mind his gruff demeanor – he’s just upset because he was stuck in this game all day and couldn’t roam the show floor.
The attention to detail is very impressive.
I’m not a Harley-Davidson fan, but I couldn’t help but appreciate the visual detail that was applied to its pinball machine.
A long time ago, in a galaxy far, far…. Oh, sorry. Wrong pinball machine.
I wish I had a big donut.
If you think consumer instruction booklets are too big, check out the manuals arcade operators have to read.
Sick of tapping those small, circular buttons? Some pinball machines give you other options.
This proves that video game publishers aren’t the only ones who have trouble coming up with original names.
These pinballs are farm fresh!
Big Toys (one of the vendors at the Michigan Pinball Expo) offered special arcade machines that contained several games in one unit. The left machine features 444 games, including several retro Street Fighter and King of Fighters games, while the Multicade unit contains 60 games, many from the old-school Namco Bandai lineup (Pac-Man, Galaga, etc.).
Table-top arcade cabinets may be a novelty, but they sure are cool.
All photos by Louis Bedigian.
