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Yes, pinball machines are still being made, but by a much smaller group of manufacturers than in the arcade era. New machines are real, current products, and some titles stay in production for a while while others sell out fast or only appear in limited runs.
That matters because “still being made” does not always mean easy to buy. Availability changes by model, edition, and dealer stock, and even brand-new machines can need setup or small adjustments before they play properly. If you’re thinking about buying one, it helps to know which companies are active, how production runs work, and what to expect from new versus used machines.
Short answer: pinball is still being made
Pinball is absolutely still alive. The modern scene is just built around smaller manufacturers, boutique releases, and a much more collector-driven market than the one that fed every arcade and diner in the 1970s and 1980s.
In practice, that means you will still see new tables announced, built, and sold. But you should also expect uneven availability. A standard production game may remain orderable for a while, while a limited edition or time-limited model can sell out quickly and become hard to find at retail. Community buying reports also suggest that the largest makers tend to have more predictable production and support than smaller boutique companies.
What “still being made” means in practice
Modern pinball production usually falls into one of four buckets:
| Type | What it means | What to expect |
|---|---|---|
| Standard production | A title stays in the catalog for a while. | Usually easier to find, but not always in immediate stock. |
| Limited edition | A smaller, numbered run. | Higher price, faster sellout, and tighter supply. |
| Remake or remake-style release | A classic game rebuilt with modern parts and support. | Great for nostalgia, but still tied to production windows and parts availability. |
| Virtual pinball | A cabinet with a display that simulates many tables. | Far more flexible and space-friendly, but not the same tactile experience. |
That last category matters because some buyers are really asking whether pinball is still being manufactured as a physical hobby at all. The answer is yes, but there is also a growing virtual side of the market. If you want to compare the two before spending real money, virtual pinball vs real pinball is worth understanding first.
Which companies are still making pinball machines?
The active maker list changes, but these are the names hobbyists most often associate with modern production:
- Stern Pinball — the best-known large-scale producer, with the widest dealer network and the most consistent mainstream output.
- Jersey Jack Pinball — known for higher-feature, premium-style releases and smaller runs.
- Chicago Gaming Company — especially important for remake-style machines that bring classic titles back with modern parts.
- Spooky Pinball — a smaller boutique maker that often draws strong collector demand.
- American Pinball — another modern U.S. builder with a smaller catalog.
- Dutch Pinball and Homepin — smaller names that show how international the hobby has become.
Because production can change fast, the safest rule is to verify the current lineup with the maker or a dealer before you assume a title is available. A machine being announced, sold out, or talked about in forums does not always mean it is currently in open production.
How pinball survived the collapse of the old giants
Modern pinball exists because the hobby never fully died, even after most of the classic manufacturers disappeared. The path from Data East to Sega and then to Gary Stern is part of why the modern industry still has a recognizable line back to the old arcade era.
That history matters because it explains why one company remained large enough to carry the mainstream side of the business while newer makers carved out smaller niches. In other words, pinball did not survive by staying huge. It survived by becoming more specialized, more collectible, and more dependent on enthusiasts who wanted real machines in arcades, bars, basements, and game rooms.
That same collector demand is also why modern pinball still has a strong route-and-operator side. Location play at arcades and bars still helps justify production, even when a lot of sales now come from home buyers.
Buying a new machine: what to expect
New does not mean maintenance-free. Community reports from recent buyers keep saying the same thing: even a brand-new-in-box machine may need setup work, switch adjustments, connector checks, or minor tuning before it feels truly finished.
That does not mean new machines are bad. It just means they are still electromechanical hobbies, not sealed appliances. If you are buying one for the first time, make sure you have a repair path in mind, especially if you do not have a local pinball tech nearby. The bigger makers usually have better support coverage, but even then, service can still depend on the dealer and the part you need.
Before you buy, ask yourself three things:
- Do you want the easiest path to support and replacement parts?
- Are you okay paying more for a limited edition or specialty release?
- Do you have the space and ability to move a 250-plus-pound machine safely?
If your budget is the main issue, it can also help to read pinball machine prices alongside the upkeep side of the hobby in pinball maintenance.
Used and refurbished: the quick inspection checklist
Used machines can be a smarter buy than new ones, especially if you want a classic title that is no longer in production. They can also be a minefield if you skip the basics.
Use this quick checklist before money changes hands:
- Boot the game into attract mode, not just a black-screen power check.
- Play several games and test every feature, including flippers, targets, ramps, switches, and score displays.
- Look for credit dots or other signs that the machine knows something is not working.
- Inspect the battery area for corrosion, especially on older solid-state games.
- Check for missing lamps, broken plastics, worn rubbers, and non-working sound.
- Confirm that the cabinet, backbox, and playfield are solid enough for the price asked.
This is where a lot of buyers get burned. A machine can look clean in photos and still hide electrical faults, weak coils, or battery damage. If you want nostalgia plus less risk, refurbished games can make sense, but the price should reflect how much work has already been done.
When virtual pinball makes more sense
Virtual pinball is not a replacement for a real machine, but it can be the better answer for some people. If space is tight, if you want access to a huge library of tables, or if you want something with less mechanical upkeep, a virtual cabinet can be a smart compromise.
A real pinball machine still wins on feel, sound, and physical presence. Virtual pinball wins on flexibility, software variety, and the ability to try many tables without owning dozens of cabinets. For some homes, that trade-off is a no-brainer.
If you are comparing that route, virtual pinball vs real pinball gives the clearest picture of what you gain and what you give up.
Why the answer is different from the arcade heyday
In the classic era, pinball was a mass-market amusement business. Today it is more of a specialty manufacturing and collector business. That shift changed everything: production volume, support expectations, resale value, and even how long a game stays available.
That is also why modern pinball can feel both healthier and smaller at the same time. There are still new machines, new themes, and new buyers. But there are far fewer factories, far fewer total units, and much less room for a company to hide behind high volume if the product has problems.
Conclusion
So, yes, pinball machines are still being made. The bigger change is that they are now built by a small number of specialized manufacturers, often in uneven production runs, with limited editions and boutique releases moving much faster than standard models.
If you are buying one, the smartest approach is simple: verify current availability, decide whether you want new or used, and plan for setup and service from day one. That is the difference between buying a pinball machine and actually enjoying one long term.
Frequently asked questions
Are pinball machines still made in the United States?
Yes, some of the best-known modern makers assemble machines in the United States. But the exact company list can change, and some smaller builders operate internationally. If U.S. origin matters to you, confirm it with the maker or dealer before ordering.
Are sold-out pinball machines discontinued?
Not always. A sold-out title may just be out of stock for the current run, especially with limited editions. Some standard-production games come back later, while others do not. Availability depends on the maker, the license, and the size of the run.
Do new pinball machines need repairs?
Sometimes, yes. Even brand-new machines can need setup work, switch adjustments, connector reseating, or other small fixes. New usually means less wear, not zero maintenance.
Is virtual pinball the same as real pinball?
No. Virtual pinball can be excellent for space, variety, and lower maintenance, but it does not fully replace the feel of a real machine. Real pinball still has the physical feedback, sound, and mechanical character that most collectors want.