16 replies to this topic

[ttestarbuck]

Hello community, I wanted to ask those experts in old school tables E.M. What three EM tables would you recommend to add to my list at the VPX, since although I have several S.S. classics? I am not an expert in EM pinballs. Thanks greetings

[k88dad]

Drop targets were king, especially in the later EM era. There were also some tables with both EM and SS versions, since they came out around the EM/SS switchover in the late '70s. Here's a few suggestions.

 

El Dorado - This one has 10 drops across the top and another 5-bank in the right-middle. There were several variations for number of players and whether the table gave replays (there were actually laws in some jurisdictions against tables giving replays.) The best-selling version was Target Alpha.

King Pin - This is the 1973 Gottlieb. Another classic with 10 drop targets across the top. This one adds a set of upper flippers.

Spirit of 76 - This 1976 table celebrates the US bicentennial, but also the lifting of a decades-long pinball ban in New York City. The variations are Pioneer and New York. You guessed it, more banks of drop targets.

Big Indian - This one takes some skill to hit the 5-bank of drops in the extreme upper-left. They are partially hidden by a vari-target on the left.

Ro Go - A Norse-themed table from Bally. Surprise, no drop targets. There are saucers at the top and a center loop tunnel (similar to Fish Tales.) Ro Go includes two features common in this era: a way to collect & clear the limited bonus, and two gates which allow the ball to travel back to the plunger.

Captain Fantastic - A table built to capitalize on the popularity of both Elton John and the Who's pinball rock opera, Tommy. Has a fairly modern layout, with 3 top rollovers leading to 3 bumpers. It does have the dreaded double flippers in the lower-left.

Aztec - One of my personal faves. Another table with no drop targets. The theme is colorful. A classic example of the simple rules of the era. Use the top rollovers and the letters A-Z-T-E-C to achieve double bonus, extra ball and special.

 

edit: I see you asked for three. From this list, that would be Big Indian, Aztec and one of the El Dorado clones. I play Big Indian way too often.

Edited by k88dad, 21 March 2024 - 04:05 PM.

[gtxjoe]

Here is the top 300 Mechanical pinball machines. Work your way from the top

https://www.ipdb.org...rue&list=top300

[X Vector]

Rather than the top ratings on IPDB I'd focus on the quality of the simulations.

 

Going by that norm, I suggest the following:

- Hang Glider (Bally 1976) by VPinWorkshop -> VPW's only EM.

- Jet Spin (Gottlieb 1977) by JCalhoun -> late EM with lots to shoot for.

- Centigrade 37 (Gottlieb 1977) by bord -> beautiful table that plays well and any bord table is worth checking out.

[ttestarbuck]

Drop targets were king, especially in the later EM era. There were also some tables with both EM and SS versions, since they came out around the EM/SS switchover in the late '70s. Here's a few suggestions.

 

El Dorado - This one has 10 drops across the top and another 5-bank in the right-middle. There were several variations for number of players and whether the table gave replays (there were actually laws in some jurisdictions against tables giving replays.) The best-selling version was Target Alpha.

King Pin - This is the 1973 Gottlieb. Another classic with 10 drop targets across the top. This one adds a set of upper flippers.

Spirit of 76 - This 1976 table celebrates the US bicentennial, but also the lifting of a decades-long pinball ban in New York City. The variations are Pioneer and New York. You guessed it, more banks of drop targets.

Big Indian - This one takes some skill to hit the 5-bank of drops in the extreme upper-left. They are partially hidden by a vari-target on the left.

Ro Go - A Norse-themed table from Bally. Surprise, no drop targets. There are saucers at the top and a center loop tunnel (similar to Fish Tales.) Ro Go includes two features common in this era: a way to collect & clear the limited bonus, and two gates which allow the ball to travel back to the plunger.

Captain Fantastic - A table built to capitalize on the popularity of both Elton John and the Who's pinball rock opera, Tommy. Has a fairly modern layout, with 3 top rollovers leading to 3 bumpers. It does have the dreaded double flippers in the lower-left.

Aztec - One of my personal faves. Another table with no drop targets. The theme is colorful. A classic example of the simple rules of the era. Use the top rollovers and the letters A-Z-T-E-C to achieve double bonus, extra ball and special.

 

edit: I see you asked for three. From this list, that would be Big Indian, Aztec and one of the El Dorado clones. I play Big Indian way too often.

Thank K88dad you for your contribution about these classic E.m. Pinball tables. I will look for them to play them from the VPX Greetings

Rather than the top ratings on IPDB I'd focus on the quality of the simulations.

 

Going by that norm, I suggest the following:

- Hang Glider (Bally 1976) by VPinWorkshop -> VPW's only EM.

- Jet Spin (Gottlieb 1977) by JCalhoun -> late EM with lots to shoot for.

- Centigrade 37 (Gottlieb 1977) by bord -> beautiful table that plays well and any bord table is worth checking out.

Thank X Vector you for your contribution about these classic E.m. Pinball tables.

Here is the top 300 Mechanical pinball machines. Work your way from the top

https://www.ipdb.org...rue&list=top300

Thank you for your advice from the link, I will see it with peace of mind, there are many tables to see, greetings

[Urko]

I like all EM. 4 Square Gottlieb 1971, Klondike Williams 1971 and Tiger Gottlieb 1975 that spring to mind.

Edited by Urko, 22 March 2024 - 12:51 AM.

[X Vector]

If you'd like to try something older and rather unique, you could give the woodrail Skyway (Williams 1954) by bord a go: https://vpuniverse.c...-williams-1954/

[studlygoorite]

Gotta love these three....
 

Big Brave by Hauntfreaks     https://vpuniverse.c...22/?tab=details

Big Shot by Rothbauerw       https://vpuniverse.c...-gottlieb-1974/

Baseball by JCalhoun           https://vpuniverse.c...ttlieb-1970-12/

[jpsalas]

I have always liked the table Fast Draw, or Apache from Taito, which is the same layout

[X Vector]

Apache! doesn't technically count though, as it is a solid state machine (with funky pew-pew sounds).

There is however a Playmatic Apache EM from 1975, with a VPX version available by Nestorgian: https://www.vpforums...&showfile=16544

 

[edit]I just noticed the latter table features a different playfield layout.[/edit]

Edited by X Vector, 22 March 2024 - 06:30 PM.

[ttestarbuck]

Thank you for participating in this recommendation of Electromechanical Tables, it is good to have several options to be able to download and play...

[xenonph]

Thank you for participating in this recommendation of Electromechanical Tables, it is good to have several options to be able to download and play...

Here are 3 Original EM tables you also might enjoy.

 

First we have JP's Papa Smurf table...

https://www.vpforums...&showfile=11609

 

Then we have Night of the Living Dead '68 by HiRez00...

https://www.vpforums...&showfile=13592

 

Next we have BorgDog's Star Wars "Wedgehead" version...

https://vpuniverse.c...-gottlieb-1978/

[ttestarbuck]

 

Thank you for participating in this recommendation of Electromechanical Tables, it is good to have several options to be able to download and play...

Here are 3 Original EM tables you also might enjoy.

 

First we have JP's Papa Smurf table...

https://www.vpforums...&showfile=11609

 

Then we have Night of the Living Dead '68 by HiRez00...

https://www.vpforums...&showfile=13592

 

Next we have BorgDog's Star Wars "Wedgehead" version...

https://vpuniverse.c...-gottlieb-1978/

 

How nice it is to enter the world of Pinball E.M. They had their charm I imagine in those 60's and 70's. I've gone down and tried a couple of E.M. Tables. Of several that have recommended me in this topic that I opened, I want to thank everyone for taking the time and recommending these tables, both recreated and original. The community has many people who, when they see their work, never cease to surprise me. In one example, I was amazed by the table. by JPSalas ***Papa Smurf ***, well thought out from the music, thematic art and lights is amazing.

I have always liked the table Fast Draw, or Apache from Taito, which is the same layout

Wonderful JP's Table *** JPSalas ***Papa Smurf *** a genius no matter how you look at it, thank you for sharing these beautiful designs with the community. greetings from Argentina.

Apache! doesn't technically count though, as it is a solid state machine (with funky pew-pew sounds).

There is however a Playmatic Apache EM from 1975, with a VPX version available by Nestorgian: https://www.vpforums...&showfile=16544

 

[edit]I just noticed the latter table features a different playfield layout.[/edit]

Thank you for recommending this E.M. I will download it and try it, we will see how it plays, greetings

Gotta love these three....
 

Big Brave by Hauntfreaks     https://vpuniverse.c...22/?tab=details

Big Shot by Rothbauerw       https://vpuniverse.c...-gottlieb-1974/

Baseball by JCalhoun           https://vpuniverse.c...ttlieb-1970-12/

Thank you for your contribution of these three tables E.M. I know the great Big brave, beautiful table, I will have to see the others that you recommend, greetings

[megashub]

Hello community, I wanted to ask those experts in old school tables E.M. What three EM tables would you recommend to add to my list at the VPX, since although I have several S.S. classics? I am not an expert in EM pinballs. Thanks greetings

All of these suggestions are great. Just wanted to add Stardust to this list.

The simulation is good, the table itself strikes a great balance between mechanics and flow/elegance. It's got a bonus action selection wheel that adds an addicting timing puzzle, combined with the standard climbing bonus point bar typical of that era. You can unlock table features to make your life easier, extra balls, and combo bonus point multipliers with the bonus point bar for some huge score pay-offs if you can manage to land the right shots at the right time. It's a quarter hog in the best way. In my opinion, at least.

Edited by megashub, 24 March 2024 - 02:10 PM.

[Itchigo]

I'd give you 3 EM's but I have over 500 in my EM list...

[DOOMSKERKE]

Hardly post here on the forum, but often a thread pops up thats interesting. heres a couple of EM i would recommend
 

 

Bally 1966's Capersville
 

Bally 1970's Four Million BC ( can only find a VP9 version atm)

[X Vector]

Bally 1970's Four Million BC ( can only find a VP9 version atm)

VPX version by Scottacus over here: https://vpuniverse.c...-bc-bally-1971/