Wedgehead Pinball Podcast

It's the year 1980, and the US Olympic Hockey team shocks the world and beats the Soviet team in a stunning 4-3 upset in Lake Placid, NY during the height of the cold war.

But another miracle happens in pinball that same year too, as a fledgling Stern Electronics releases 9  excellent machines in 1980.  They were the clear last place manufacturer behind Bally, Williams, and Gottlieb, but in 1980 Stern makes an unbelie...

In this episode Alan sits down to talk with Ian Matheson, operator at Propeller arcade inside of Propeller Brewing in Halifax, Canada.

We talk about how he got started, including some incredible stories about the old school underground Nova Scotia pinball scene before opening his public arcade which include stories of setting machines on fire in the front yard, peeing in sinks, and drinking beers while blasting Van Halen.<...

In this episode we finally talk in depth about "Modern" pinball, where it started, what defines the modern era, and the different innovations or changes to the classic game that we all know and love.

For all the listeners out there that have been asking us to talk more about modern games, this episode is for you. 

And if you want to hear more about modern pinball and enjoy this show, there are literally ...

In this edition of our popular "Die on this Hill" series, we are rejoined on the show by Mitch Curtis, the operator known as 'Pinball Over Boston' as he jumps onto the show to defend one of his favorite underappreciated games, 2000's Sharkey's Shootout made by the fledgling Stern Pinball.

Mitch is a very passionate boy, and speaks at length about how much he loves this old/new mashup game, so ...

In this episode of our 'Operator Spotlight' series Alan and Alex speak with Mitch Curtis of Pinball Over Boston, about his decade of running a pinball route in the Boston area.  We cover what it was like starting out, how he grew it, how he handled the covid 19 shutdowns, and what it's like for him nowadays on the other side.

We talk about his locations Flat Top Johnny's, Roxy's, and Double Bull Ta...

In this edition of our "Die on this Hill" series, John Dozier of Inner Orbit Pinball rejoins the show and steps up to defend Sega's 1996 pinball machine based on the hit movie, Space Jam!

This game is actually the LOWEST rated game that we have featured thus far on the show, and the internet has some strong opinions!

And despite this being a family friendly theme, we definitely use some adult langua...

In the latest addition of our Operator Spotlight series, Alan speaks with John Dozier of Inner Orbit pinball about his pinball route based in Springfield Missouri.  John began operating pinball machines about 10 years ago, and was drawn in due to a familiar refrain of the modern pinball operator - there just weren't any good machines to play in his area.

Hear about John's move from player, to part time operator, ...

In what will surely be the most controversial episode of the podcast, Alan and Alex discuss all the different ways that people can choose to customize the setup of their pinball machines.

Pitch, tilts, outlanes, rubber types, toy and lighting mods, as well as software settings, we go through them all.  We discuss the differences in setups, and we share our preferences for each category, whilst acknowledging that others are...

In this episode we discuss how to get to know your friendly neighborhood pinball operator, including tips for making a good first impression, and how to find the proper channels in which to communicate with them about machine malfunctions.

Alan speaks about it from the Operator's point of view, while Alex shares his insights as an expert Operator Whisperer on how to befriend these strange and mythical creatures.
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In this episode we are joined by a very special guest, the man who saved pinball with a single shot, and who wrote the first published book on the history of pinball, Mr. Roger Sharpe.

https://wedgeheadpdx.com/podcasts/ Link is to some bonus materials on our website to see all the games that we are talking about in this episode.

Roger is a legend in the pinball world, most it well documented elsewhere, but he join...

In this episode, Alan and Alex are joined on the show by Rachel and Cale, owners and operators of the Electric Bat Arcade in Tempe, Arizona.  We discuss the Phoenix Valley pinball scene, the history of the Bat, their legendary Tuesday night league that regularly draws 100+ players, operator pet peeves, splits, tokens, and much more.

Join us for this in depth look at another very cool operator and listen to us talk about th...

In this episode, Jessica DeNardo from Barrels of Fun pinball returns to the show to defend one of her favorite games of all time, 1989's Bad Cats designed by Barry Oursler with art and theme concept by the inimitable Python Anghelo.

Listen to Jessica explain what makes Bad Cats a great game, and respond to all the internet haters!

Meow Meow Meow Meow.

...we're adults, so here's the standard...

In this episode, Alan and Alex are joined by their good friend and staunch solid state pinball evangelist, Ty Palmer.  Ty is a fiend for early solid state machines, and will happily go weeks or months without playing a single game newer than 1985.

For his first appearance on the show, we decided to narrow down this era to one manufacturer, Bally, and keep it to the machines they released during the rise of the SBA dollar c...

In this episode of the podcast, Alan and Alex are joined by their friend Jessica DeNardo, a multi talented woman who hosts her own pinball podcast (the Pinball Podcast), makes and sells her own pinball inspired clothing (Soft Plunge), founded the Portland chapter of the Belles & Chimes, worked as a pinball tech in Florida, and has recently moved to Houston to work on the production and assembly line at Barrels of Fun Pinball Co...

In this episode Alan and Alex discuss the most common new post on any pinball forum, subreddit, or facebook group: Buying your own pinball machine to put into your house.

This episode is meant to give a better, more whole picture of owning pinball machines. Alex is a home collector, and Alan owns Wedgehead as an operator, and they discuss why you don't need your own machine to enjoy the hobby of pinball, but if you do...

On this episode, Alex sits in the hot seat to defend his love of 1995's No Fear: Dangerous Sports.  A divisive game design by the king of flow, Steve Ritchie.

Hear Alan and Alex discuss the game, and read and react to some bad reviews they found for the game.  Alex owns this game, and he's VERY passionate about it, so tune in and see why you might need to give No Fear another chance. 

...we are adults, a...

In this episode of the podcast Alan and Alex reminisce over how they got into the hobby, and dive into some conversation aimed at newbies to the hobby who have gotten bit by the pinball bug. 

We give some advice about proper etiquette, how not to sound like a dipshit on location, the joys of playing with others, and how to become a better player through personal accountability and the playing of older solid state and elect...