# New Hour-Long Gameplay Stream of Improved Magic Girl Pinball Machine **Source:** Knapp Arcade **Type:** article **Published:** 2022-09-29 **Beat:** Pinball **URL:** https://www.knapparcade.org/new-hour-long-gameplay-stream-of-improved-magic-girl-pinball-machine --- ## Analysis Knapp Arcade reports on the troubled history of Magic Girl pinball and highlights a Twitch stream by Pinballboygermany showing an improved European version. The article notes that John Popaduik's original Magic Girl machines were largely non-functional 'boxes of blinking lights,' but a group of European enthusiasts have successfully restored working examples. An improved Magic Girl machine is expected to appear at the upcoming Chicago Pinball Expo. ### Key Claims - [MEDIUM] John Popaduik sold non-functional 'boxes of blinking lights' to Magic Girl customers who received deliveries — _Knapp Arcade reporting on the troubled development history; characterization is critical but reflects community sentiment about the project_ - [MEDIUM] A handful of Magic Girl machines exist in Europe that have been restored to working condition by a group of gentlemen — _Knapp Arcade noting European restoration efforts, though specific details about the group and number of units are vague_ - [HIGH] Pinballboygermany streamed an hour-long gameplay session of a working Magic Girl machine on Twitch several weeks prior — _Twitch stream link embedded; Pinballboygermany reportedly contacted Knapp Arcade to share the content_ - [MEDIUM] An improved Magic Girl machine is expected to appear at the upcoming Chicago Pinball Expo — _Reported as 'supposedly' appearing, indicating some uncertainty about confirmation_ ### Notable Quotes > "The story of the game is sad. It's creator, John Popaduik, essentially sold an expensive box of blinking lights to the few customers that he did deliver anything to." > — **Knapp Arcade**, N/A > _Summarizes the community's critical assessment of Magic Girl's failed development and delivery_ > "There is actually a handful of Magic Girls that do in Europe that a grow up of gentlemen spent a lot of time and money getting to work." > — **Knapp Arcade**, N/A > _Highlights the European restoration community's efforts to salvage working examples of the machine_ ### Entities | Name | Type | Context | |------|------|---------| | Magic Girl | game | Controversial pinball machine with troubled development history; known for stunning artwork but non-functional original units | | John Popaduik | person | Creator of Magic Girl; associated with failed delivery and non-functional units shipped to customers | | Knapp Arcade | organization | Instagram account and arcade location that documents and shares rare pinball/arcade machines; source of this article | | Pinballboygermany | person | Twitch streamer who produced hour-long gameplay video of a restored Magic Girl machine in Europe | | Cointaker Super Awesome Pinball Tailgate Party | event | Event where Knapp Arcade photographed a Magic Girl machine | | Chicago Pinball Expo | event | Upcoming industry expo where an improved Magic Girl machine is expected to appear for public play | ### Topics - **Primary:** Magic Girl development and delivery failures, European restoration community efforts - **Secondary:** Chicago Pinball Expo announcements, Pinball content streaming ### Sentiment **Negative** (-0.65) — Critical assessment of Magic Girl's failed original execution and John Popaduik's role, balanced slightly by recognition of European restoration efforts and future Expo appearance ### Signals - **[event_signal]** Chicago Pinball Expo planning to feature an improved/restored Magic Girl machine for public play (confidence: medium) — Report that 'one of these improved Magic Girl machines is supposedly going to make an appearance at the upcoming Chicago Pinball Expo' - **[community_signal]** European enthusiast community has invested significant time and money restoring Magic Girl machines to working condition despite original manufacturer failure (confidence: medium) — Reference to 'a handful of Magic Girls that do in Europe that a group of gentlemen spent a lot of time and money getting to work' - **[product_concern]** Original Magic Girl machines shipped in non-functional state; characterized as expensive 'boxes of blinking lights' rather than playable machines (confidence: high) — Direct statement by Knapp Arcade about John Popaduik selling non-functional units to customers --- ## Transcript Yesterday I shared a picture of the stunningly beautiful, but controversial Zidware Magic Girl pinball machine that I took at the Cointaker Super Awesome Pinball Tailgate Party in the Knapp Arcade Instagram account. I share a picture of a rare pinball or arcade machine that I saw on location there daily (https://www.instagram.com/knapparcade). Many people asked me if that game worked. Alas, it does not. The story of the game is sad. It's creator, John Popaduik, essentially sold an expensive box of blinking lights to the few customers that he did deliver anything to. There is actually a handful of Magic Girls that do in Europe that a grow up of gentlemen spent a lot of time and money getting to work. The Twitch streamer Pinballboygermany did an hour-long stream of one of them several weeks ago on Twitch. Thanks to him for reaching out to me this morning to give me a heads up about it. I have embedded a replay of the stream below for anyone who wants to check it out. As a side note, one of these improved Magic Girl machines is supposedly going to make an appearance at the upcoming Chicago Pinball Expo where attendees will be able to play it. https://www.twitch.tv/videos/1568448045 _(Acquisition: raw_text, Enrichment: v1)_ --- *Exported from Journalist Tool on 2026-04-13 | Item ID: 92af2ce0-a4be-4fef-aa91-13baaa2e954b*