Pinball Planet is the Hottest New Spot Near Cleveland

Earlier this year, Southland Lanes, a backbone location in the Cleveland area competitive pinball scene, was unfortunately shut down. The charming family-run business was incredibly wholesome and featured a fantastic pinball collection, making for a consistent source of fun with friends. Luckily, the legacy of Southland Lanes lives on at the brand new arcade, Pinball Planet, which just recently opened its doors. Co-owned by Chris and Brianna Weber and located at 6277 Pearl Road, in Parma, Ohio, this stellar location has quickly become just as beloved as its predecessor. With a wonderful variety of machines, a bustling competitive community, and good vibes all around, I'm happy to report that Pinball Planet is a fantastic place to flip.

Perfect Pins Every Time

When you first walk into Pinball Planet, the first thing you'll likely notice is the overall cleanliness and cozy vibe. The entrance room makes a great impression, with a bounty of beautiful pins and plenty of seating. Stylish neon signs and mood lighting adorn the walls, offering a nice touch of that signature arcade atmosphere. Walking past the welcome desk and another row of amazing machines, there's a spacious back room with even more pins, plus another seating area where you can watch sports, check tournament standings, or grab a refreshment at the bar.

Currently, Pinball Planet contains over 40 pinball machines, representing a variety of eras, manufacturers, and gameplay styles. Of course, you'll find a wide variety of modern Stern machines, including Jaws, Deadpool, Guardians of the Galaxy, Godzilla, and many more, all linked up to Stern Insider Connected. That said, there are plenty of other moderns, including Jersey Jack's Toy Story 4, Chicago Gaming Company's Pulp Fiction, and Spooky Pinball titles like Scooby-Doo and Halloween. All-time classics like Taxi, Attack from Mars, Monster Bash, and Pin-Bot are all available, along with lesser-seen titles like Premier's Genesis, Millionaire, and Rollercoaster Tycoon. If you're a fan of EM's, you can also get your fill, with titles ranging from Grand Prix to Gorgar.

Bravely starting their own business and pursuing a shared passion of pinball, Chris and Brianna take a lot of pride in making sure that everything stays as pristine as possible. The modern games feel fast and responsive, the classics are all in tip-top shape, and problems are resolved as soon as they pop up.

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Speaking on the core values of the business, Brianna said, “I love owning my own business. It's so nice to have the freedom to run things our way. I want to keep the fun alive in the pinball community and make sure that everyone has a great time, so keeping games in great condition is a top priority.” Chris fully agrees with this sentiment when discussing a particularly annoying issue with an EM, Hot Shot. “I must've spent three days fixing that game, but as soon as I saw a family walk up and play, it made all the hard work worth it.” Through their constant attention and care, it's clear that the Webers are committed to upholding a high standard at Pinball Planet, showcasing a true appreciation for pinball and their customer base.

Get Competitive at the Planet

Following the trend that Southland Lanes set, Pinball Planet is already a premiere location for pinball tournaments in the greater Cleveland area. You can have loads of fun by visiting the arcade any time, but to truly engage with the community, you've got to check out some of Pinball Planet's various competitive events. If you're just looking to dip your toes into tournament play, I recommend checking out the Selfie League, where you take pictures of your scores and submit them at any time. Interested players can also compete in an official IFPA-sanctioned Women's League, as well as the Cleveland Pinball League, which runs multiple seasons per year.

In addition to its leagues, Pinball Planet also boasts excellent one-off pinball tournaments and in-house challenges. A monthly Stern Army knockout tournament is held on the first Saturday of every month, while launch parties and extra tournaments frequently pop up. In fact, some of the most competitive and high-value tournaments can often be found at Pinball Planet, including the legendary Mega Match Play tournaments. Champion players get more than just cash prizes and trophies, too, as Pinball Planet also has a “Wall of Champions” with a hand-print from every winner in the location's history.

If you find yourself in Cleveland, Ohio, and you are eager to play some pins, we recommend checking out Pinball Planet in nearby Parma. There are tons of great pinball locations around the city, and Pinball Planet stands as one of the very best of the bunch, where quality play is guaranteed, and fun is all but certain to be had.