Pinball Hall of Fame in Las Vegas: Discover the History of the Game

Pinball Hall of Fame is a treasure trove of bright flashing lights, ringing sounds, and frantic button pressing. Located just outside Las Vegas in an unassuming building, the Pinball Hall of Fame is loved by both locals and travelers alike.

Why Visit the Museum?

The Pinball Hall of Fame is a private, non-profit organization and museum, part of whose revenue goes to local charities. More than 10,000 square feet of exhibition space showcases pinball machines from the 1950s to the present day, with a special emphasis on machines from the 1960s to the 1980s.

The exhibition features over 200 machines from the personal collection of owner Tim Arnold, including 152 pinball models from renowned manufacturers such as Gottlieb, Bally, and Williams. Walking through the doors, you might feel like you’ve stepped back in time — the museum's interior consists of rows of machines with a collection of vintage arcade games, some dating back to the 1930s.

Atmosphere and Interior

Dim lighting throughout the space enhances the glow of the machines. As you explore the place, you begin to realize that the child inside you is still alive and well. During the few hours you spend there, you will feel more joy than you ever imagined. This is where you can delve into the history of pinball, a history you won’t find anywhere else because the golden age of pinball still lives and thrives here.

The Magic of Pinball

For most people, a pinball machine is just a pinball machine. But for some, it is a monument to the perfect combination of complexity, craftsmanship, and quick learning. That’s why the Pinball Hall of Fame, featuring over two hundred working machines, has been operating for seven decades.

Over the years, founder Tim Arnold has collected an enormous number of machines, from magnet-driven models to modern digital marvels. Each comes with descriptions of historical value, most handwritten on cards. Arnold invites everyone to play his machines. All you need is some quarters. Arnold has reworked some of the machines so that visitors can better appreciate their inner beauty.

Historical Machines

Take, for example, his meticulous restoration of a 1978 machine dedicated to the band Kiss. Paying attention to the smallest details, Arnold is like an Italian restorer working on the Sistine Chapel. Such love for the collectible object is evident everywhere.

History of Pinball

In the mid-1940s, pinball was banned in most major cities in America, including Chicago, where the game was created and is still manufactured. As the popularity of the game grew, lawmakers quickly began to label it a form of gambling and a “waste of time and money” for the youth. Many machines were destroyed, and the ban on pinball remained in place until 1976.

When the ban was lifted, the craze returned. Machines appearing in every bar and gas station across America attracted a large portion of the youth. There was even a push to have the game recognized as an official sport. Pinball was everywhere.

The Revival of Pinball

However, the 1980s brought innovations to the gaming world — the availability of home gaming systems like the NES almost completely killed pinball. If it weren’t for a resurgence of interest in the early 90s, pinball might have died out. Today, there is only one pinball machine manufacturer left in the world.

To preserve the experience of playing pinball, Tim Arnold, a former arcade owner from Michigan, founded the Pinball Hall of Fame. This museum, open to the public, houses one of the largest collections of pinball machines available for play.

Philanthropy and Community

Arnold gathered about a thousand restored machines in various states and brought every last one to Las Vegas. For the next 20 years, Tim worked on his machines and held “Fun Nights” for locals. People came to play games, and the proceeds were donated to charity.

The Pinball Hall of Fame opened at its current location in 2009. Tim continues to donate the earned money to charity.

What to Play

Early pinball technology is represented by a collection of wooden rail machines from the 1950s. Electromechanical games, known as EM games, represent the dominant technology that emerged in the early 1970s. An excellent example is the Bally Fireball from 1971.

Semiconductor games with computer processors and digital displays appeared in 1977. Various classic arcade games from the 1980s and 90s, including early models from Atari and Nintendo, are also featured here.

Themed Machines

Many games are dedicated to pop culture themes and classic movies and TV shows: Star Trek, Indiana Jones, and The Simpsons, as well as games featuring characters from Marvel and DC Comics franchises.

All machines have been restored to their original working condition and are available for visitors of all ages to play. Older game models are offered at 25 cents, while newer models are 50 cents. The game hall provides a family-friendly alternative to nearby casinos and slot machine halls, and all game proceeds go to charity.