Around the Playfield with Mrs. Pin

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Mrs. Pin is the host of the Mrs. Pin’s Pinball Podcast (Facebook, Podcast Garden)

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Around the Playfield with Mrs. Pin

The Start Button: How did you first get into pinball?

Dr. Pin, my better half, was the one who initially dragged me into the pinball world. I wasn’t kicking and screaming, but I also didn’t hold the level of enthusiasm that he did for the hobby. It was something I found fun, but it wasn’t until the Mrs. Pin podcast that I wanted to become better and more knowledgeable about pinball in general.  It was a beautiful entrance into the serious realm of pinheads!

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The Plunge: What was the first pinball machine you bought?

After a bit of jovial household debate and several machine “test drives,” Dr. Pin and I decided to take the pinball plunge. The Pin Family grew when we welcomed two beautiful, refurbished babies into our home last October. T2 and RIBON entered the Pin Family household and have very quickly become staple members of our family.

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The Skill Shot: What is your best pinball achievement or favorite pinball moment?

It was only just recently that I had the opportunity to participate in my very first match-play tournament at Pinfest. Dr. Pin and I missed the first round due to late entry, but I came in 95th place out of 102 players. My excitement over this (totally incredible) rank has yet to diminish.  It shows me that I have and can continue to improve upon my pinball skills, and that baby steps are still improvements nonetheless.

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Despite this total tournament “win,” my best pinball achievement by far has been having the ability to have to participate in interviews like this one. Getting the chance to be involved with such an amazing pinball community has been so freaking exciting and totally humbling!

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Good Shots, Bad Bounces: What is your favorite and least favorite pinball machine?

My current favorite pinball machine is Williams’ Indiana Jones. Dr. Pin has just purchased one and I am so stoked that we will have it in our house. It’s an incredible theme and a super fun game.  I have to mention, however, that if you ask me this question next week, I would probably respond differently. I get obsessive with new machines all the time. I just can’t help myself!

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I don’t really have a least favorite pinball machine.  I seriously sucked at Harlem Globetrotters at Pinfest, despite many attempts, so I’m in a bit of a fight with that one at the moment. I’m hoping for some skill improvements so we can reconcile soon.

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The Wizard Mode: What is your dream theme you’d like to see made into a pinball machine?

Since Dr. Pin broke my heart and told me Snorks Pinball was never going to happen, I’d have to say my #1 dream theme is Harry Potter. I’ve read all seven books at least five times each, I’ve seen all the movies about the same, and I cannot believe this machine doesn’t already exist.  I went to the midnight release of all the books in full costume whenever a new one came out. What’s taking so long, Pinball people?!  If HP isn’t going to happen (tragedy!), I think The Princess Bride or The Goonies would also make amazing themes.

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The Tilt: What is the dumbest mistake you’ve made in pinball (mishap moving a machine, messing up trying to fix a machine, etc.)?

The biggest pinball mistake I’ve made was waiting so long to become truly hooked into this amazing hobby. What was I thinking??!  Gah, all the games I could have been playing, and all the people I could have been meeting… it hurts me deep that I was so foolish!

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The High Score: Describe the pinball hobby in one word.

WOMP!

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Match – Next Game: Where do you see the pinball hobby in 5-10 years?

There is endless potential for pinball in the future!  Pinball seems to be in somewhat of a revival phase, with lots of new interest in the hobby.  I’m hoping for a pinball flash-mob where younger kids, especially, continue to get the word out that pinball is totally boss.