# Don’s Pinball Podcast is live!

**Source:** Don's Pinball Podcast Live Streams (YouTube)  
**Type:** video  
**Published:** 2026-07-16  
**Duration:** 4m 35s  
**Beat:** Pinball

**URL:** https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R2K755cotB0

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## Analysis

Don's A A Pinball Podcast streamed live from a retro arcade in Denmark (City 2), showcasing various arcade and pinball machines. The host comments on arcade operator economics, noting that $3 USD play pricing is necessary given machine costs (~$10,000 DKK for Mandalorian), contrasting this with US operators still charging $1, which he argues is unsustainable given inflation. The stream features casual gameplay and banter about various machines at the venue.

### Key Claims

- [MEDIUM] US pinball operators are still charging $1 per play, which equals approximately 15 cents when adjusted for inflation since the 1990s — _Don's A A Pinball Podcast host, discussing play pricing at the Danish arcade venue_
- [MEDIUM] Star Wars/arcade game is a money maker for arcade operators — _Don's A A Pinball Podcast host, commenting on flashing games that attract walk-by traffic_
- [HIGH] Mandalorian pinball machine costs approximately $10,000 DKK (Danish Krone) — _Don's A A Pinball Podcast host, discussing the cost justification for $3 play pricing in Denmark_
- [MEDIUM] $3 USD equivalent pricing is fair/justified for pinball machines costing ~$10,000 — _Don's A A Pinball Podcast host, making an economic argument about play-to-cost ratios_
- [LOW] Arcade operators should buy all new games from companies like Raw Thrills as they are released — _Don's A A Pinball Podcast host, commenting on arcade operator strategy/business model_

### Notable Quotes

> "That's why no one's making money in pinball in the US. They're still charging a dollar. That basically with inflation since the 90s. That's like 15 cents a game."
> — **Don's Pinball Podcast**, approx. mid-stream
> _Critical commentary on US pinball operator economics and pricing strategy sustainability_

> "When you have when you have an arcade, the first thing you have to buy is everything. Halo. company. Oh, raw thrills, baby. What they come out with, just buy it."
> — **Don's Pinball Podcast**, approx. mid-stream
> _Advice to arcade operators about acquisition strategy for competitive venues_

> "$10,000. That's why three bucks is fair, right?"
> — **Don's Pinball Podcast**, approx. mid-stream
> _Economic justification for Danish arcade pricing compared to machine costs_

### Entities

| Name | Type | Context |
|------|------|---------|
| Don | person | Host of Don's Pinball Podcast, streaming live from Denmark, commenting on arcade operations and pinball pricing |
| Ryan | person | Friend mentioned by Don during stream; greeting requested |
| Jenkins | person | Person at the Danish arcade; mentioned as being confirmed to be a real human rather than AI |
| Star Wars | game | Arcade game at the venue; noted as a money maker and mentioned alongside other flashing games that attract walk-by traffic |
| Terminator | game | Arcade game at the venue in Denmark; discussed in context of flashing displays attracting customers |
| Mandalorian | game | American Pinball machine (Star Wars: The Mandalorian) at the Danish venue, costing approximately $10,000 DKK |
| Legends of Valhalla | game | Game at the Danish arcade with $3 USD equivalent play pricing; mentioned as expensive relative to other venues |
| [name withheld pending review] | game | Game at the Danish arcade venue |
| Turtle Power | game | Four-player game at the Danish arcade; mentioned for its topper design |
| Halo | game | Arcade game franchise referenced by Don as example of game operators should acquire |
| Raw Thrills | company | Arcade game manufacturer; referenced by Don as a key company operators should buy from regularly |
| [name withheld pending review] | venue | Danish arcade location where Don is streaming live; features pinball and arcade games at $3 USD equivalent pricing |
| River City's Arcade | venue | Mentioned by Don as a reference point/comparison to the Danish arcade |
| P3 | product | Multimorphic P3 modular pinball platform; Don mentions it as 'the only game you need captivating the industry' and notes it's missing from the venue |
| American Pinball | company | Manufacturer of Mandalorian pinball machine at the venue |

### Signals

- **[operational_signal]** Danish arcade charging $3 USD equivalent per play on pinball machines, justified by ~$10,000 DKK machine costs; contrast with US operators still charging $1 despite inflation (confidence: high) — Don's discussion of play pricing economics: '$3 each... $10,000. That's why three bucks is fair, right?'
- **[business_signal]** Host argues that US pinball operators are struggling financially due to outdated $1 play pricing that hasn't kept pace with inflation since the 1990s (confidence: medium) — Don states: 'That's why no one's making money in pinball in the US. They're still charging a dollar. That basically with inflation since the 90s. That's like 15 cents a game.'
- **[market_signal]** Modern arcade games with flashing/attention-grabbing displays (Star Wars Battles, Terminator) performing well as money makers; noted as essential for arcade venues (confidence: medium) — Don comments: 'When they're flashing like this, people that are walking by their time... money maker. Money maker.'
- **[venue_signal]** Danish arcade (Retro Arcade in City 2) well-stocked with mix of modern arcade games and pinball machines; described as high-quality venue (confidence: medium) — Stream touring multiple games at venue including Mandalorian, Terminator, Star Wars Battles, Turtle Power, 3D Park
- **[content_signal]** Don's Pinball Podcast conducting live stream from international venue (Denmark) with on-location commentary and gameplay (confidence: high) — Live stream conducted from Danish arcade with real-time venue tour and commentary
- **[rumor_hype]** P3 (Multimorphic modular platform) noted as missing from the Danish venue despite being described as 'the only game you need captivating the industry' (confidence: low) — Don's comment: 'The only thing missing here is a P3. The only game you need captivating the industry.'

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## Transcript

Kobenhan. Kubenhan. Yes. And we're here. We came here to play some pinball, but the dude that operates Retro Arcade in at City 2 is charging $3 US equivalent to play Legends of Bajala. This is a $3 thing. It's insane. The only thing missing here is a P3. The only game you need captivating the industry. What's up? That's my son. Holy garbage. Film them. Check out the remaster stern over here. Hey, you got to say Donnie for my friend Ryan. Where's the money? Okay, tell. Let's Let's play. Let's play, man. Yeah. All right. So, look at this first. Terminator. Oh, what the hell's going on there? That's like on arcades are making dollars. Games like this when they're flashing. Are those your new ones? Yeah. When they're flashing like this, people that are walking by their time. That's dope. Yeah. Machines have them on all the locations. Really? Like look at this. You have to film this 3D park. Oh, you can't get Star Wars Battle. Go in there. Just look at this thing. I have played these. These are super fun. It's so You know, it's Yeah. Man, money maker. Money maker. What? Let's What about these things over here? Four player. Some turtle power, man. Four players. That's a hell of a topper. I got the MS. We got the kids in here playing. I just got to Denmark this afternoon. We're going crazy. He's got me on a sugar high like I've never been. I show up at the airport. Can you miss this guy in this drip? Look at spooky ass team. I love it. Jenkins, it turns out, is actually a real human. He's not an AI creation. This is nuts. Holy crap. This one, this one makes funny. Oh my goodness. And it's been Let's It's been madness non-stop with this guy. When you have when you have an arcade, the first thing you have to buy is everything. Halo. company. Oh, raw thrills, baby. What they come out with, just buy it. Look at the guys. How you doing? I know this isn't River City's arcade. This retro arcade in city 2 outside of food I have. So, what you want to play, man? So, you you can play this Mandalorian, right? You want to play this I don't want to play pinball. I'm in Denmark, man. I want I want to eat more of those rum cougles and ya cake. Yeah. That cake with that was um marip the red thing. Strawberries. Yeah. What is that? What is in Danish? Yar. Y Okay. That's cookies. Oh, okay. Okay. We got some We got some tokens. This is $3 each. So it cost like three bucks. Three bucks. That's why no one's making money in pinball in the US. They're still charging a dollar. That basically with inflation since the 90s. That's like 15 cents a game. Wait, this is a pro modern, right? Think what? What does the premium or like Mando snoring? What does the premium do? Tilting [***] stupid thing right there. And Gro and these plastics are wires. Wire form. Uh, okay. But this one cost 10,000 Denmark. $10,000. That's why three bucks is fair, right? 10,000 bucks. Oh, the kids. How was it? How was the ride? I did not. Wild. We've been here for 40 minutes and already like I've eaten 7,000 calories of Danish schnitles and like sugar here. Love sugar. Look at this guy, man. It's unreal. He's like eat sweet, talk sweet, right? Yeah. He's like some manifested god of chaos that's dropped. This is going to be crazy couple of days here. Um, more fun live stream stuff as it happens. But holy garbage, man. in Denmark.

_(Acquisition: youtube_auto_sub, Enrichment: v5)_

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*Exported from Journalist Tool on 2026-08-03 | Item ID: 29871de6-3e8b-4770-b9fa-39254db69629*