Welcome everyone to the Pinball Auswide podcast. This is episode 13 and in this episode you are going to hear a few things. You'll hear a typical language warning at the start and our thank yous. We'll go through month in review. We have a new segment, Matt's top five for 2025. There's a quick catch up with George and Sonia from the Melbourne Pinball Expo that we had a bit of year in review. Then we've got the pinball price watch, just the tip with Matt and Jazz, the rumour industry news, any emails and then the admin rant. Appreciate everyone joining and listening and as always I'm joined by Matt. Matty, welcome. G'day Jared, how are you doing? Merry Christmas mate. Merry Christmas, yes. So this is the 20, what are we, 28th? 29th isn't it? 29th of December we're recording this on, so Christmas is done and dusted now. They're ready for New Year to kick in isn't it? Yeah, how'd you go Chrissie? What did you get up to? Busy. Lots of alcohol and lots of food. We all overindulge. Exceptional, man. It's a good catch-up with everyone. Yeah, good, good. What about yourself? Same sort of thing? Yeah, pretty much. I've got my sister-in-law over, so they tend to just do the Christmas. We have a nice seafood lunch, which was really nice, actually, this year. And we had some tasty prawns with it. Yeah, yeah. Prawns, oysters, did some natural Kilpatrick and a lobster. But we better start off with a language warning anyway. So any young listeners, please switch off now or don't take offence. Or learn swear words. Yeah, that's it, exactly. This is the place to come for that. So thank you to all our current listeners, yeah, and any new listeners that are going to hopefully enjoy this podcast. Yeah, I think we picked up another couple of followers, which is good. So as always, just like, follow, what else, subscribe, I don't know. Whatever you've got to do, share. Yeah, and listen again. Just keep listening. No, so I appreciate it, definitely. But definitely keep on, when you listen, We've still got more listeners than subscribers, so please, guys, just make sure you're subscribing while you're listening. That'd be awesome. So, yeah, so my month in review, how's your month been? Yeah, it's been quiet-ish this month. Obviously, December, Christmas and everything. I mean, you and I went to George's. Playing a catch-up? Yeah, at the top of the show, we did a bit of a pre-Christmas interview with him just as a year in review. But we went over there and had a couple of games and a bit of a chat and a catch-up, which was nice. Good to see them before the end of the year. It was. I printed him a little Death Eater ball. Ball reflector. Yeah. It stops it from hitting the glass. Yeah, yeah. So that was, like I said, he asked me about it ages ago, and I was like, look, if it's on Maker World or wherever it is, then yes, I can do it. But I don't have the skills to design one for you just yet. but I found it and I was pretty happy with that. So that was a bit of fun, but it was a good night. What did we play? Predator, Alice, Harry Potter. I didn't play Alice. I played a lot of Harry Potter. And it's funny, when I left, I was like, Jesus, we only played maybe half a dozen games or something like that. Because we were too busy talking shit. I know. Apologies for the dog. So yeah, but other than that, not much. I actually, a couple of little things, I put a poll up on the page for the next pinball machine for me because I've listed my Game of Thrones, so I've put that up for sale. And you saw my beautiful comments? On... You were your poll. Oh, yes, I did. I ignored them entirely. I was going to delete them, but I'm like a fucking matinee South Park and Street Fighter. Love it. Love it. Did you notice I think you were the only one that voted on that? No, it had the highest votes out of all. So, yes, I put a bit of a poll up just because I like to hear from others as well based on my collection, on what I want and what I'm doing. So, yeah, I think I've... Have you had any interest with Gamma Thrangers? No, I haven't, to be honest, which was expected because it is a unique-ish title. I did notice that they don't very often come up for sale and when they did, they did sit for a little bit. So I was prepared... Maybe the timing year as well. Look, it could be, which is funny, though. There's stacks going up on the page this time of year, and that's why I was like, oh, fuck it, I'll just throw it up as well then. I mean, everyone else is listing Stranger Things and Deadpools. Yeah, great. You know, there's been other machines off the top of my head, you know, Star Trek Next Gen and a few others. There was a couple of Star Trek Next Gens, wasn't there? Yeah, I think so. Was there Rick and Morty as well? There was Rick and Morty. So, you know, so people are still listing, so I was like, oh, well, fuck it. I was going to wait, but I'm like, okay, maybe I'll just throw it up. Yep. So, yeah, look, I've narrowed it down. I think I am going to get a Deadpool when I sell it. Pro or premium? It'll be a premium. Okay, cool. Yeah, I don't want to go pro just because I love that orbit shot. And the drop targets. The drop targets as well. Yeah, a little bit of difference on that. I'd love a Harry Potter, but I think we spoke about it. I think I'm just going to wait a couple of years till the second-hand market comes back, which I'll be interested, actually. I was going to have this for the pinball price watch, but there's one listed on the page in Arcade for $17. So I'm going to watch that and just see what the second-hand market with such a new machine does, because if that does drop to $15.50 or something like that, that'll be of interest when I'm ready to buy in a year or two as to where the price may be. You do realise you're going to get a PM very shortly saying, $15.50 sold. Yeah, but I don't want an Arcade. I want the CE. You're not missing much, though. no no true but i i just i'm very i think we've said before i'm very visual and i love the artwork the play field on the sea just imagine it just sit there and imagine it yeah put a photo put a photo next to it yeah baby um so that was me what are you what's what's your month honestly pretty busy month yep uh it's now school holidays obviously uh christmas shopping did a lot of christmas shopping yep felt like we're at the shops every second day we're looking for different things. And I've actually finally got some confidence back in Amazon. Because as I said to you, I've always had my credit card stolen from Amazon like twice now. It's just a pain in the ass having to go through and get a new card and all this and that. But now that they've got the app, it seems much more secure than doing their website. So I've been buying quite a few bits and pieces on that. I've been busy putting together a kid's cubby house which is still probably another eight hours worth of putting together. So, breaking lawnmowers. I've now broken my second lawnmower, which is giving me the shits because my grass is looking terrible. Unbelievable. So, my zero turn, I'm pretty sure my left transaxle, I don't know. I'm not sure. Something's gone. So, originally, I thought it was a dampener, but I've ordered those dampers. They haven't arrived in time. I spoke to the mower shop. He said, no, it's not the dampers. I was like, bugger. Yeah. Look, it needs new dampers anyway. So that's going to be probably a good $2,000 fix because I've got to replace both at the same time. So who doesn't know what the transaxle is? It's the part that drives the zero-turn lawnmower, so both back wheels individually. And then yesterday I was using my ride-on sit-down tractor mower and it just stopped working. It just started huffing and puffing and I cleaned the spark plugs and it started working and then it shit itself again. You're probably lucky it's summer-ish because it's not going to grow as fast the lawn hopefully My grass is not looking... After all that rain the other day. Yeah, okay, so you didn't get onto it beforehand. No, I couldn't. It was too wet at the same time. Okay, because I was going to say, now hopefully most of the rain's gone and it'll slow down a bit. So anyway, after this I've got to go find myself some spark plugs and hopefully that could be the issue. Yeah, okay. And then get back out on the lawnmower. Obviously we had Christmas, so I had that with the family. Yep. I got to catch up with my brother, who I haven't seen for quite some time. And we had a very big two-day session playing pinball. Yeah, nice. So I'm catching up. So it was good fun. Matt Cave update? Matt Cave update. Still waiting for permits. That's it. Okay. The company's now closed until I think they said the 12th. Right. So I won't hear anything for another couple of weeks. Okay. So it's all happening. It's just time now. Just wait for it to happen. Design hasn't changed or anything. So I'm not too sure if I said in the last podcast I did. Did I? Yep. Well, there we go. So that's about it. What else have I done? Yeah, just lots of Christmas presents. and yeah. I'm just going to, what did I say, question without notice. Highlight for the year. You got a highlight for the year 2026 pinball-wise? Probably the expo, not the pinball expo. Oh, no, actually, no, Tazpin. Actually, sorry, yeah, Tazpin, actually. That was pretty epic. That was just lots of fun. Yeah, nice. So that probably is it pinball-wise. Yeah, nice. Yeah, looking forward to that next year, obviously. Yeah, what about yourself? Yeah, I actually had the same. Same thing, yeah? Yeah, I thought about it. I mean, there was a few things, obviously. I mean, we do nil as well as the Expo this year, which was a first for me. So that was pretty good. It was just more relaxed, wasn't it? I think it has been, for me personally, was more relaxing. No driving, no having a... Yeah, but I mean, for me, as I said, personally as well, I was probably less on edge compared to the Expo. So, no, that was really good. That was really good. And hopefully, if they want us back there next year, we can do a little bit more. Like, I really enjoyed what we did at Melbourne Expo with the microphones walking around. Yeah, yeah. The Expo holders. Now, I know these are obviously all contributors at TASPIN, but we can still have a chat to Juz and Frank and the boys. Get around and have a chat. If you want a chat, we'll have a chat with you. We can do that as well. So let us know, boys. So, I set you a task. You did. Top five for 25. Guess what? I've changed it to a top three. Top three? Yeah. Nice. I decided. I was thinking about it. I haven't played all the machines, so it's just such a hard thing. But there's... I thought top five, because there's a lot of machines that have been released, man. There is nine machines. There's nine machines that's been released. I had 13. What have you... Well, I'll go through, run through the machines I've got. Yep. Go for it. So we've got Star Wars Fall of the Empire by Stern. Yep. Jaws 50th Anniversary. Yep. Harry Potter, Jersey Jack. Yep. King Kong Myth of Terror Island, Dungeons and Dragons, The Tyrant's Eye, Predator by Pinball Brothers, Winchester Mystery House by Barrels of Fun, The Walking Dead Remastered by Stern, and Beetlejuice. And that's it, I'm pretty sure. June was also released. No, that was last year. No, it was released this year. Was it? Yep. So June was this year. And not that it matters too much, but Multimorphic had their Portal edition. Oh, shit. CGC had their Merlin's Edition, which I know is still MM, and you can go back, but that still possibly should be included because it is an MM. Yeah, okay. And Turner Pinball, which I didn't look at, had one called Merlin's Arcade. So there's not many, but I think the two are June and the – well, three, actually. June Portal by Mortar Morphic and Merlin's Edition. But that's okay. It's okay. No, no, no. Are you sure June was released this year? Yep. I thought it was last year. I went up onto Pinside and I just Googled 2025 releases. Yeah, okay. And that was released this year. So they've done World's release too, actually, this year. That might change your top three, maybe. Who knows? I'll be interested to see how you go now. Because I thought June was a very good-looking, well-flowing machine. And as you said, we haven't played it, though. That's right. All right. Okay, well, I'm going to start at number three, then. Start at number three. So my number three would probably be Stern's King Kong Myth of Terror Island. Okay. So out of all the Sterns, I've chosen this because I really like the look of the machine. The theme I enjoy. Yep. And obviously the game designer. We know how great Keith Elwin is with his flowing machines. I've only played a few times though, so at least I can have an input on it. So it did shoot nice. Yep. Quite difficult to shoot, but when you hit the shots, it was satisfying. My number two, only because I've played it, the theme doesn't do anything for me, is Harry Potter. So that is my number two. So if I hadn't played it, it wouldn't even be in the list. So just how well it flows, how well integrated everything is. It's definitely number two for me. Okay. So, but it's just, why is it not number one? Because theme-wise. Okay. Because Harry Potter just, I've never watched the movie, so I don't know anything about it. Yeah. Okay. My number one is Beetlejuice. Okay. Even though I haven't played it. Yep. Theme-wise, it's number one for me. Yep. And from what I've played of this new Spooky Machines, I think this machine's going to play fantastic. Yep. And it looks like a fully loaded machine. Very good. Okay. So, King Kong was three, Harry Potter two, Beetlejuice one. Yep. Honourable mentions? Or machines that may have just missed out on hitting that? Maybe Winchester. Winchester could have been a number four. Yeah, okay. So, I do like it. I like the look of it. I like just the different theme. It's not just a movie. Here you go. Here's another movie thing. Yeah, yeah, yeah. And possibly a number five would have been... Yeah, maybe June, yeah. Yeah, okay. Okay, there you go. Maybe June. Even though I remember the first time I watched their gameplay, I seriously thought, what a horrible machine this is, and it doesn't look great. Yeah, agreed. But I've had a few people say to me how great it does play, and it's a really nice, smooth machine. Well, Paul Anderson just recently got the money in his line-up. Yeah, yeah, that's exactly right. He snuck that in, apparently. I know he did. Didn't tell any of his mates. So what do you think about that for a little... Yeah, good choices, without a doubt. Where would you be? I knew you were going to ask me, and I really want to tell you this wasn't my top five. No, I know, but we're just talking. Have a little chat away. People want to hear. I would... Look, I only... Just two top three. Yeah, yeah. Only because, as I said, I'm probably a bit stuck on it. I would probably have Harry Potter as one. I thought that, yeah. I think that for theme integration and shots is the best. I haven't played a lot of the stones, so that makes it hard for me. But I'd probably look at Harry Potter, June, and then probably Dungeons and Dragons is something different. As I said, I haven't played, although Jaws is pretty good, so that'd be a very close one as well. King Kong, everyone raves about, but I haven't played it. So, yeah, I'd probably go that way. Harry Potter, Dune, and D&D for me. Very good. All right, well, I think we'll throw to George and Sonia's interview now and get to that, and then after that we'll come back and we'll do a Pinball Price Watch segment. How does that sound? Happy with that? Sounds good, mate. All right, let's do it. At the top of the podcast, I was saying that we're just going to have a bit of a chat with a few guys that have been on the podcast previously about their year in pinball. So we just thought, Georgie, thanks for joining. Sonia in the background, thanks for joining. We just thought we'd have a chat, mate. Tell us what you reckon the year's been and give us a wrap-up of the year. Obviously, you've run Expo. I know Matty wanted to ask you about that. Yeah, Georgie, how did you think it ran in the end? Have you learnt anything from this year that you didn't know from last year? And what would you change for next year? What will I change for next year? I will not discuss at the moment. I'm going through with Shannon. We might make a couple of changes, but nothing drastic. I mean, more just so the setup. Will you have a different schedule for it or going to give it the same type of dates? Because obviously you ran on, what was it, Derby Day? So that was a pretty busy weekend, you know? What was it? Yeah, so there was a busy weekend, so maybe one more week out. Would that be a little bit better to get more people through as well? I know you're a flight knacker. Look, it wasn't about getting more people. We actually sold out of tickets. Yeah. You know, I still remember on Sunday morning, Jazzy's ringing me up saying, oh, Dad, I've run out of wristbands. I said, oh, because it's Sunday, just use Fridays. Then she rang me up 15 minutes later and goes, I've run out of Friday wristbands. So more wristbands is what you need for next year? Well, look, what we do is... Sunday's never usually a sellout. So if I know I've sold 300 tickets, I'll order 350 wristbands. Yep. But unfortunately, you know, it's just next time I'll learn... Well, that's a learning curve for next year. That's exactly right. It's Dad's fault, Jason. So that's all fine. But any changes? Yes, we will change the date, and I reckon it's going to be... I wouldn't say the date, but is it going to be maybe... I wouldn't want to know, I just want to give it to you. Yeah, but a little bit later on, a little bit earlier in? Like you're looking at the same time frame, or are you going to move it to the fucking start of October? But let me put it to this way. During the Melbourne Cup weekend, the Spring Carnival, you won't see me or Sonia. No, look, it was a great expo. So... Yeah, agreed. There's no point changing something that's running well. Yep, got a correct formula. We'll just streamline it a little bit more. And of course, we get a bit of advice off you guys and everyone else, and we take on what people say, and yeah, we just move on from there. Yeah, nice. Mate, I want to thank everyone. And your podcast was absolutely insane. Yeah, it was good fun. Talking to all the people and all the guys at the expo was just fantastic, wasn't it? Yeah, we had a good bath, honestly. It was good fun. Heaps of awesome people wasn't it Just nice chatting to them As I said to Matty I think the only thing Just a couple of things you know sort of editing wise And volume wise but walking around And actually doing it was a lot of fun Maybe next time though It was buzzing heaps wasn't it It was such a vibe there as my kids would say What we will do this time is Like Eric had a great time Absolutely loved it Loved everyone He loved the freedom of not having To do a presentation Yeah, yeah, that's right. A seminar. He could just be himself. Yep, yep. You know, there was that time when he had a family, you know, a couple and a couple of young kids with him, and, you know, he's playing Harry Potter, and he goes, have you ever seen Underneath? And they said, no, and he lifted it up for them. You know, mate, they loved it. Pretty sure that was Glenn and his kids. Yeah. Oh, yeah, it was Glenn and his kids. Yeah, yeah, yeah. There you go. So what we will do next year, though, is we'll do times on each session where at the table, like where you guys are sitting we were sitting we'll get him to sit down and people can just walk up to him and know like between say 2 and 3 Eric will be at the table just chat between 3 and 6 I'll have you two at the table yep no one will fucking turn up between 3 and 6 between 3 and 3.15 maybe yeah that's what that is everyone will be lining up oh yeah but Eric's standing up there in the jersey joker it was perfect I'd done they just said freedom there otherwise he's sitting there you know the set up was good actually I think it was fine yeah I wouldn't be making him have to sit down and... Well, look, even for... Some people wanted us to have a chat to them and things, so it's hard when you're running around. Yeah, yeah. Even if I did half an hour slot, you know? But I did keep pointing people in the direction of who he was and, you know, everything. Yeah, I did the same. I said to a few people, oh, the designer's up there, if you want to go and have a chat, get something signed, and they're like, ooh. I'm like, Eric, go see Eric, man. Go in the cab, go and have a chat. And nine out of ten people did. They went up and went, oh, okay. because there was a lot of people that aren in the actual pinball community yep Yeah Yeah agreed They wouldn have known It was well run like we said last time mate So anything else you think you do differently I mean, I thought it ran smoothly from an outsider looking in. I know you had small hiccups, but you'd expect that regardless if you're the first, second, tenth year in, I would have thought, like, that shit's just going to happen. That's it. Just the bumping would have been nice if it was smooth. with the people showing up on time, what you said. Well, the bumping, yeah. I knew you guys got it great. It was a bit of a disaster. It started later than you wanted. It would have been a disaster maybe for you based on what you needed to do. But as I said, as an outsider looking in, it just seemed to start late. Well, last year, the bumping, we got it all done in the one day. Yeah, that's it. Started early. We started at, I think it was, we actually started at nine o'clock. Yep. And we were done by about five. But everyone came when they were supposed to come. Yeah. This year, as you know, people... It was a rabble. And we didn't start until, what, 10, 10.30? Yeah, yeah, that's it. And we didn't finish until the next day, probably an hour before the... Yeah, you don't need that sort of stress. No, that's too much stress. I think even that tournament started, and we're still running cables. Yeah. But, you know, we had people coming up at 6 o'clock at night and then coming the next day. It does make it hard. That's why we try to get everyone to come on the day and early so we can get it all done, tested, and it's done. And then everyone can go and relax. It did drag out a bit, but, you know. Would you think of expanding it, making it larger, or do you reckon the sizing was about right? I don't think there was any more room to add more machines. Do you reckon, Matty? Like, I thought it was almost at capacity. It was at capacity. The only thing you'd do is flick off the tournament scene. All due respect, guys, but you could get rid of that, and that would give you that little stage area. That whole area, yeah. Would you fit in there another 20 machines, wouldn't it? Well, we had machines in that stage area. Yeah, correct. So how many were in there? We had 12. But there were four or five outside, if you remember. So you could add an extra. But what I mean is overall, though, I thought the size. We had 103 machines, and I've worked it out. The maximum you could put in there is 110. Okay. You put a few more where that tournament was, and a couple more on the end where Steel Tiger was. Yes. And, yes, just go a couple more deep. Actually, Saturday night was really good. Yeah, thanks, because we weren't there, obviously. Well, you and quite a few people, so it wasn't anywhere near as busy. Yeah. So the VIP night was great. So what we ended up doing, you know how we had the extra session for the exclusive VIP guests who had the Jersey Jack passes? Yeah. From midnight till 2am. Anyone that just had a Saturday VIP, if they were there at midnight, we made an announcement that, you know what? Fuck it, stay. Fuck it, stay. Legend. Yeah, nice. Yeah, they stayed. Nice. I tell you, I could have kept it open till 5am. People don't want to go home. So is that something that you could push a bit deeper with them? I mean, I look like I can. I think their licensing is something at 4am, isn't it? So that's where the bars have to be shut off and everything. and the gaming venue has to shut down. But you never know. We're not gaming. No, no, I know what I'm just saying, but you could go. We were the only ones there. The whole place is closed except for the TAB out the back. I'm sure that's not pumping either. That session was a lot quieter than last year. Yeah, because of Metallica? Yeah, because of Metallica. Yes, 100%. But there was other things going on as well. There was a couple of other sporting events, I think. Yes, there was. There was a steak steak. A steak steak. Yeah, was it? Yeah. Yeah. And people, you know, they get out on the turps and... No, we don't. Yeah, we don't. The only other, getting back to more machines, the only other thing you could do, which I'd probably say not to do because it was so good, was that circled room. You could jam machines all the way around in that. So that's the thing. Why do you want to bounce it up? Do you want to? I mean, Shannon, always have this conversation. You know what? I could shove 150 machines in there. Is it going to make it better? No. Or am I better off having a number that everyone's comfortable with and trying to get better machines instead of just loading it up? Well, I would just add that it would make it better if the machines were quality machines. That's what we try to do. I mean, like I said, I think... Maybe not out of room, though, because you don't want all these different sounds going on, because four was well enough. I don't think you could hear anything. Yeah, that was a bit of an echo. No, I reckon I could hear it. It was just bouncing around from other machine to other machine. because then also I felt that people kept pressing the button up as well. Yeah. So some machines were at 47, some were at 60. But what I meant though is even when you were walking around the expo, some of the machines were hard to hear anyway. Oh, yeah, yeah, yeah. So not necessarily adding more machines into that room would be any different if you're outside in the main sort of hall, so to speak. But I do love the way it was set up, having, you know, the Harry Potters, the new... It wasn't a... It was brilliant. really really well done yeah Harry Potter it was good and whatever it might be next year like if you did the same thing it wouldn't detract from needing more machines but I'm just thinking in regards to what you'd do differently if you'd add more machines into that room well last year we had one machine yeah which was Avatar wasn't it yeah correct much better having more than one in that room much better there the Avatar in that room though by itself that was phenomenal that was fantastic I feel like how that audio was bouncing back It was so great. And you couldn't put any... There was only one Avatar in Australia. Well, that's it. We were lucky to even get that in. But it still was great just with one in there. But with the four Harry Potters, I think it was fine. Anymore, I don't think... I mean, you could have put six. You could, but I think it's too much. You've got to remember, right? Paul's flown all them over. Yeah. That's a lot of cost involved. Yeah, and I suppose that's the thing, is you don't want to add any cost to it. I was just thinking, to get more machines in there, if you wanted something to change, you could just put them as a circle on the outer side of things and add more to them. Well, yeah, we can. And that's something we need to look at. Between that, guests, and with the machines, we knocked back a lot of machines. So as we got some newer machines, newer titles that we knew we were getting hold of, we were knocking off the older titles. So we'd say to the people, sorry, mate, we don't need those 1960s machines because we've got five Harry Potters coming. So we're trying to go from the newest backwards. Yep. Like I said, I thought it was... We want to be different. We don't want to compete with... Some people think it's not competitive, mate. We're friendly with everyone. We're happy for like Taspin. The boys are champions. Pinfest. Good on them. And we try to do something a little bit different. so that it shows we're not competing with them. Yeah. Do you know what I mean? Yep. They specialise in a certain area. Taspian specialise in their certain area. And we do our own certain one. And we just all, well, now, talking about Taspian, we're all going? Yes. We're off. Yeah, fucking off. Yeah, we're all, they know where to stay. With the venue, anyway, are they impressed with how it was run and have they locked you in for another year? Or a contract for a few more years? Yeah, the venue, I actually spoke to the big boss, and he loves it. Yeah, good. He just goes, he can't believe it. Did he actually show up? Was he there? Yeah, he was there. Walked around? And yeah, he absolutely loved it, mate. They'll have us any time. Yep, beautiful. Good. Nice. And so it's so good now. Obviously, the very first year we did it, no one knew anything. I mean, no one knew who I was people know who Shannon is as a courier driver a lot of people thought it was just going to be you know, a little pinball thing at a dingy pub somewhere so it ended up coming good this year it was better they've just blocked out dates for me there you go and if you want a date that someone's got they've actually said, you know, we'll just cancel it so we're quite happy with that but look, because when we did it the first year a lot of the people that we were dealing with at the hotel got removed. Yeah. So everyone I dealt with this year were completely different. Yeah. Yeah, okay. Okay. So they all had different ideas and stuff. Oh, mate, it was, you know, I've been dealing with Kyle, and he's just fantastic. Yep. You know, he'd get back to me in a couple of days where, I mean, last year it'd take months, and it was great. So, like, he made it easy. Yeah, good. so yeah it's really good great venue probably definitely keep it there there's no there's no need to you know you want to go bigger can you go bigger yeah you can do you want to do you have to it's not about the work it's like how many everyone that was there enjoyed it right do we get do I really want to go and put in 400 machines and get this massive venue or 500 or even 600 and And so you have issues with that. What if you have 100 people show up? The place looks empty. Yeah, correct. It doesn't have that. This hotel's got that homely feel. Yeah, the atmosphere. The atmosphere, the kids, they love it. You're not in a warehouse. It was busy enough, but it wasn't daunting either. Do you know what I mean? You didn't feel, what's that word? Overwhelmed. Yeah, you could just walk freely through. It was great. Jump on a machine. And that's right. Yeah. Yeah, agreed. Agreed. Everyone was polite. Yep. Okay, so apart from Expo, what's your year been like, Georgie? If you had to pull Expo out of your pinball year, like how have you gone with your machines? Oh, I'd just jump off a cliff, mate, if there was no Expo. What have you been doing? I'd be lying if you found pinball, mate. Have you been away? Have you done anything through the year? So what have you guys been up to? I have been away. I've had a little holiday. But have you added machines or have you done anything pinball-wise that wasn't Expo as well that you want to add to? Anything pinball-wise. Have you bought any new machines? Yeah, we have. Sonia ordered Beetlejuice. Yep. That's your favourite movie. So Sonia's ordered that and obviously the Harry Potter. Yep. Sold Halloween. Got to get rid of a couple more. Otherwise, that's it really, is it? Yeah, that's it, mate. And how about yourselves? Like all year. Well, if you listen to the podcast, you know everything that we do every month. A lot of people are going to have a memory like mine, which is pretty bad. Yeah. You know what I mean? So they probably want to know what you've been doing. Matty? The whole year? Well, you can start from January 1st if you want. I know where we're going from. What have I been doing the whole year? Just a bit of a rap. I'm going to Dungeon Day. Yeah, mate. I haven't bought or sold any machines. So pinball hasn't changed. I've done a few fixes to a few different machines, which I've just put off just because of room and getting glass off. So I made the effort to do that now that I've sort of fixed my back and my knee. So I'm not in agony anymore. I've been wanting to buy machines. I keep seeing bargains coming up and going, I could just add that into my collection, but I just don't have the room. I've been busy with my shed and building permits which I'm still waiting for that to happen and I'm scared about forking out all the cash I've got to fork out so it's a big big investment this I've just got to get it right still waiting back from the council so that will be hopefully happening soon it's going to be a long wait no no it shouldn't be too long it should be alright what else have I done kids, gardenings Sabrina, good dad. A good husband and a good dad. 100%. I've been out doing podcasts with Jared. We've been travelling around everywhere, haven't we? What about you, Jed? Look, you put me on the spot a little bit. If I was to reflect, I guess it has been busy for me, pinball-wise, to be honest. You've made a lot of changes, mate. Yeah, I have. Like, obviously, with Matty, we started this podcast, which has been pretty good. I've enjoyed that. Did you start it this year? Yeah, we did. So you've never done a podcast before? No, no. The first one was February. Yeah, Jan or Feb, end of Jan, start of Feb. We recorded the end of Jan and it uploaded at the start of Feb. And it's been a really good learning process, like you can see. I mean, currently we've upgraded our mics, so we used to use what you're holding, which is the Rhodes, but we've gone into a larger sort of... We're getting mega muscles holding these things at the moment, aren't we? We don't have a... Usually it's on a desk stand, obviously, but... It's a two-handed mic, right? It is a two-handed mic. it takes both hands to operate so you know and just small things like my cousins help me out with recording devices and stuff like that as well so you know like that goes straight onto SD card so I don't have to worry about lining up the audio it automatically does it for me comparable to your road so just small things like that has been a real learning process in this whole thing that looks like something from Ghostbusters mate it is mate it would too don't worry about that I thought you started podcasting earlier because when did I ask you to do the media for us? It was early in the year. No. It would have been March, April? I would have thought mid-year. It was mid-year. It was mid-year. I waited until mid-year. Yeah, I reckon so. And that's what I was going to say is that's probably sort of the other part of this is meeting you guys. I know we met originally years ago and came here and had a bit of a play, but to sort of come back into that circle and catch up with you has been really nice personally. I've enjoyed the friendship again I didn't know well we'd met you're a fucking snobby you didn't talk to her I think you kept her as a trophy wife away somewhere mate and she was not to be seen but no it's been really nice to sort of get to know you guys again and with that obviously have the expo and be part of that which is something that I never thought would happen And I don't take any of this for granted. Like, I'm very chilled with it all, and it's nice to do. If it doesn't happen, it doesn't happen, because I'm still enjoying what I'm doing in pinball. I mean, the only thing I probably regret is not enough catch-ups with Matt. So we've only had a few this year, believe it or not. We've had more than a few, but we just haven't gone for the trophy. Yeah, probably. That's more to the point. Gone for the what? We play off for a trophy through the year, a pinball trophy, basically. So we choose seven machines and we have a mini tournament between the two of us and the winner takes the trophy. What, it goes through the whole year? Yeah, correct. Yeah, correct. So depending on who wins the night takes one and whoever wins the next time we play takes another one. So it can be, you know, two, one, three, one. Somebody's winning at the moment. Well, I am, unfortunately, because we've only played three times. Oh, okay. So I've won all three tournaments that we played. It's unfortunate you said you're winning. Well, yeah, because... It's unfortunate. Oh, look, I enjoy winning, but I would like to play more, so it's more even competition. Yeah, at least try to do it once a month like we used to. We just had... Sorry, just changing topic a little bit. My daughter started prep, so it's a lot of pick-up-and-drop-off of stuff now, and commitments at school. Yeah, his life is in a different space than mine. I've got a 17- and a 14-year-old, and I don't have to do much with them at all nowadays, apart from after-school sports, you know? So it's different. Yeah, but I know that one. Yeah. So, yeah, so that's, as I said, that's probably a little bit of a regret of the year. Otherwise, yeah, I always have enjoyed focusing on my games room, so I've always done little bits to my... And I classify that as pinball because it's my room. So, like, I think it was a month or two ago I bought a boombox, so I've got a little tape deck now, so I started buying a few tapes and, you know, getting back into that old school... The old 80s day. You know, like Summer Hits 87 and With a Bullet 82 and all that sort of stuff, you know, like I've started buying those again. And luckily I got the purchase over the line because I bought East 17 for Nadine and put it on when she walked in the door and she came in jamming away and was like, where's that coming from? And I pointed to the boom box and she just fucking rolled her eyes and walked out. You know, mate. You used to hate when the DJ would talk over the radio, didn't you? You'd be like, shut up, I'm trying to record it. What a song. Yeah, it'd be terrible. Nothing worse. I've got a bullet in my snout. I'm going to get them out. Oh, mate, it's good fun. It's good fun. So, yeah, so that sort of stuff is really where I've been at. And obviously, you know, even recently, my 3D printer I bought. So I've just done... Yeah, thanks for what you did for me, Dave. Yeah, pleasure, man. Pleasure, of course. So if anyone wants to know... He's a lifesaver. If you've got a, what is it, a Harry Potter... Harry Potter. Any edition, isn't it? Any edition. What's that little... The Death Eater. The Death Eater. he flings balls at you and they fly around everywhere because it ricochets off the drop target that's why he designed his own easy tiger easy tiger I didn't design it it was just on Thingiverse and I just printed it off and gave it to you and you added the text it is your design now I might put it on the page for people if they want to pinch one or two like I'm not fussed, just pay for postage or whatever if they want it. But, yeah, so I've been doing a bit of that. I did a cleaner for me and Maddy, so a little snake cleaner. I did a light box for you guys as well, so I've done those sort of things. And wearing pinballers, white lights too. You did make me a beautiful little snowman. I did make you a snowman. So, yeah, so that's sort of been where I've been this year. As I said, it's been fun. It's been a different year to last. But, yeah, I've enjoyed it. Sonia, do you want to add to anything? You're more than welcome to if you want. What about your pinball year, meeting lugheads like us? Yeah, no, it's been definitely an eye-opener. But no, the expo met some awesome people. Like the Taz guys, they're fantastic. They're funny as fuck, aren't they? They were hilarious. Yeah. Really, really nice. I mean, so many. Wait till next year. Everyone's just so friendly. Yeah. That's what I love about it. You know, families, kids. Yep. that's what I love I get a kick out of that yeah it's nice yeah nice just seeing everyone enjoy themselves but no thanks for everything guys it's been great thank you likewise likewise as I say I doubt we'll catch you before Chrissy seems it's so close so I hope you guys have a nice one enjoyable safe new year too safe new year are you going to go anywhere no no no I usually have my sister-in-law over for a week so she comes and gives me time off from the kids which is fucking great Yeah, because they hang off her Alright, that's it, thanks for coming on guys Nice to chat, just going to have a few games Can we go back and play pinball? We can, let's do it Some Harry Potter and Predator Yeah, let's go And Alice Who the fuck is Alice? Who the fuck is Alice? So that was George, Sonia Thanks guys for the catch up, appreciate it It was good fun As said, let's swing straight into our segment Pinball Prize Watch Now, we chatted earlier. There's not much I haven't seen. Look, the market stayed pretty just solid, I think. It hasn't dropped this month. I haven't been seeing any dramatic shifts. I think we've seen that over the last probably two or three months. Quite a huge shift. I think we discussed last time it settled somewhat, hasn't it? Yeah, and this month I think everything's just hit a, what are you, just a price plateau. Yeah, it's plateau. That's exactly right. I still think for me there are a couple and I guess it more the newer titles that have popped up that I interested to see where they are As I said at the top there was a Harry Potter arcade at So I'm very interested to see where that's going to settle in the second-hand market. But there was an X-Men LE for $17,750. So that's quite a drop. And obviously when I say drop, I'm comparing to new in-box prices because those are relatively... I would still classify. When was X-Men? A year or two, maybe? Yeah, about a year ago. A year and a half. Yeah, so 17-7, that's quite a drop. There's another one for like 18 and a half, I think there is at the moment. Okay, I didn't see the one in 18 and a half, unless it's the same one that's dropped a bit further, maybe. Unless it did, yeah. There was a King Kong LE at 18-5 and a Venom LE at 16-8, so that Venom is still sitting around that 16 mark, which I think is a good... I mean, there was a Transformers LE at $10, $10.80, I want to say. And I'll be honest, if I had have sold my Game of Thrones, I reckon that would have been a purchase for me. I've played it a little. My purchases tend to swing me towards the tournaments that I used to play and if I did well on them and if I enjoyed them and had a bit of fun. And I enjoyed Transformers and it was the LE, so the split model. Yeah, it does look nice. It does look nice. I know a lot of people are ragged on it, but it looked okay for me. Like I said, I enjoyed it. So that's still at 16.8. And the other one, which I deliberately highlighted, because if you remember last month we spoke about, you said there was an SS machine that was around 4.5. No, an EM. It was an EM. Yeah, EM. No, that was only at 2. What was that at? 2.25 or something like that, or 2.8? And I was like, to me, they should be under that. And that sort of SS pricing, which we had a roller disco pop up at $26.50. Admittedly, wide body, old school style SS. But I just wanted to bring that up because I was like, well, that's kind of where that pricing starts and goes up to your $3,500, $4,000 mark sort of thing. And then that's where your DMD, your System 11s come in at that sort of pricing and goes up. I didn't see that what was it Roller Disco Roller Disco I don't think I've ever played that I've seen one of them yeah I remember Troy in Caroline Springs I'm pretty sure he had one at one stage and swapped it out for a Genie originally so yeah so which actually and that that probably depending on if you've got others that leads me into the Best Buy which I thought that was close to one of the Best Buys yeah I'd say so that sort of pricing but I think we've definitely found I didn't have a Best Buy this month no yeah I've got a couple. Roll a disco for one. I thought the Aerosmith Pro at $95 is a good buy. You know, to have that sort of theme, you know, I mean, that license, that IP wouldn't have been cheap being Aerosmith. Very popular band. All of their good songs in there. Good flowing machine. You know, unique toys with the lock. I thought that was a good buy at $95. Did they actually sell or is it still for sale? No, it sold. Yeah, it's sold. And again, as I said, I'm predominantly looking Melbourne when my Game of Thrones sells to purchase something because I'd like to go and look at it. That is a hard thing with marketplaces and how it just sets you there. The only other best buy was there's a Game of Thrones premium for $12.50 on the page. I think that's pretty good. It's pending, isn't it? I'm pretty sure it's pending. I think people should jump on that. I think they should. I think you should outbid him. outbid the other person outbid him I must admit I'll be sorry when it goes I've enjoyed playing it I've stopped playing it now though because I don't want to put any more games on it only 1500 games people that's pretty good for a home use only when was that released that must have been that must be fucking 10 something years ago now 2017 2017 almost 10 years yeah 2017 I think there you go jump on it 1500 games bargain mate what the fuck yep do a what the fuck What the fuck? I agree with you 100%. I'm going to give my what the fuck to the Evil Knievel on the page for $16,500. I mean, I don't care if that's been dipped in fucking gold and hung from the heavens. Like, that is just, you know. And Pete Scott Sanders posted and actually stole my thunder by stating that you could buy a 48-year-old machine for that, or you could get a Godzilla Premium for $500 cheaper. Yep, exactly. Brand new in box, that is. So really, I mean, you could almost look at, well, there you go, an X-Men LE for $17,750, you know, and spend $1,000 more on an X-Men LE or get an Evel Knievel for $16,500. Evel Knievel for me all day, mate. It's just ridiculous. I mean, I think we're now seeing where people have just overcapitalized on machines through COVID by thinking they'll be worth this amount of money and then putting them on the page and expecting no sort of pushback on pricing. You're stuck with it, mate. You've got to take a hit. If you want to sell it, I mean, if you drop that to $11,000 or $12,000, you would probably have people going, oh, yeah, I can see where that is. I mean, it's still only, you know, at that maybe an $8,000, $9,000 machine maybe. I don't know. I'm trying to be slightly kind, but do you know what I mean? Because I guess they would sell for $5,000 or $6,000. So if he's put a lot of effort into it, you know, maybe ask for an extra couple thousand dollars, but you can't ask for $16,500. a half. As we've always said, if you're going to restore a machine, put all your blood, sweat and tears in it and pour money into it, it's your investment. This is for you. You're not going to get that money back. Agreed. Well, you are. You're stuck with it. You're stuck with it. Overcapitalising it. That's all it is. The only other one that I wanted to raise as a close second was the Ghostbusters LE at $30,000. I mean, those prices are dead and buried, surely. Please Correct me live on air if you think I'm wrong. No, you're not wrong. Done and dusted, mate. Like, I think we're... I mean, I don't even know where we are with the LEs. I would say 18-ish, I think, is the last time I saw one sell. 18 to 20 maybe tops. Yeah, yeah. Which I still think is over. Way too much. Is way too much. But, I mean, I would be going back on what we've seen previously as to what that is. Especially considering we know that a Ghostbusters Remastered will be coming sometime. Yep. You know, so that's just going to... Yep. Plumb up the market for it, obviously. Yep. And actually, so they're my what the fucks, which I think I wanted to... We spoke about it earlier as well. I wanted to do a bit more of a deeper dive in our price watch and just... I think I said to you, oh, you know, I just... I want to go back and find some history of some machines so that people don't think through this podcast that we have some sort of agenda or something like that when it comes to the machines and our pricing and all the rest of it, which, honestly, we don't. It's just our opinions. It's not even opinions, mate. It's us watching the market, watching the page and updating monthly. But it's opinions on that, though, as well, because I don't want to assume that we're 100% right. It's still an opinion based on what we see. No? Well, okay, I'll just put it out there. Matt's 100% right. This is just my opinion. It's there for everyone to see. It's on the market, mate. People can see it. So I've actually, and actually, funnily enough, I'll start at Ghostbusters because going back in time. And the page was a bit weird because it didn't go back to sort of, there was only a couple here or there for some reason, and I can't presume everyone has deleted their sales thread, but you can't go back way, way back in time for some reason. Some things you can, though. Some things went back to 2019, but I wanted to hit that sweet spot, but I couldn't find a lot. So are these pricing just from 2025, from the start of the year? No, no. So what I've done with Ghostbusters, for an example, is I've gone back to the pros. So the pricing of the pro, 2023, we had two listed which one was 12.8 the other was 13 whereas 2024 is 11 so you see there's so there's a you know two grand drop in the pros yeah in the premiums 2022 we had 16.5 2023 we had 15 16,750. 2024, still hovering around 16, so 16,500. Mid-2025, we had 14,800, and then we had some at the start of this year, one at 19,500, so that's bucking the trend, which is still there, and another at 15, which is still there. And we had the LE at 30, which is still there. So you can see the pricing based off that that you know from 2022 where they were 16 and a half and 16 750 and now they're sitting around 14 8 and those and you know those two were one at 15 and 19 5 are still there so were there any le to compare to it no only that well i do if i use my members my memory service is correct uh you know they during covid they were fetching maybe 30 to 32 yeah i'd agree which I agree with you there. Another one I did was Adam's Family. This one's a bit weird, actually. It doesn't seem to have a rhyme or reason when it comes to the pricing. So it's actually, my notes say it's possibly gone up if you look far enough back. So 2019 was $9,900, $12,000, $9,500. 2020 jumped to $15,950. 2021 settled back down to $15,000. and then 2022 went 14, 17 and a half, 13 and a half. So they're all over the shop there. 2023, I only found one, which is at 13. 2024 jumped to 18. And then this year we've got one at 15 and one at 13. So they're all over the shop, really. So there doesn't seem to be a rhyme or a reason on that. It is just also the theme. Even though there's 22,000 mass production units made, it's still a very sought after theme. If you say, what's your favourite pinball machine? Everyone goes, it's family. But these are generally people who don't play pinball. And the other one that bucked the trend a little bit as well which was T2 because I thought that'd be an interesting one. Surely that's come down from your $12,000, $13,000. Well it has, it's only $150. Well, in 2020 it was $5,500. 2021 we had an $8,800 and a $6,000 and another $6,000. and then this year we've had $9,500, $6,800 and another $9,500. So that's gone up. That's almost doubled in price based off that. Isn't there one sitting there for like $16,000 still? Yeah. Yeah, we know about that one. Metallica was another interesting one. So the Pro in 2021 started off at $14,000 and then all I could find was a jump to 2024 at $11,500 half and then this year we've gone $9,750, $9,500 and $8,500. So in the space of three years that's gone from $14,000 to $9,500 for the pros and the premium has done a similar dip. So 2022 that was at $17,000. 2023 it went to $14,500. There's a bit of a spike for some reason. 2024 was back to $17,500 half but then this year was 12.5 okay so that's come down yeah four or five grand the le really hard um we had one on 2018 which was 12.5 and then we had one in 2024 which was justin's le which was at 16 there's one currently locally here that's sitting at 14 and a half i thought it was 13.5 13.5, so he's dropped a bit further now. So, you know, so they've, COVID-wise, they were, again, 28 to 30 from memory. For sure. So they've dropped a bit as well. And then I'm pretty sure they sort of settled at about 18 to 20 for a while. Yeah, yeah. So they're struggling big time in price as well. I've got a couple more, so hopefully people aren't getting too bored. If not, skip forward 30 seconds. Skip forward 30 seconds. That's it, and away you go. or you can send me an email, you know, pinballozwhitehopmail.com. Shut the fuck up, Jared. I don't care about your price watch. Godzilla, I thought, was an interesting one to do as well because that's very, very popular at the moment. So many of them are advertised. It's crazy. Yeah, yeah. So most of this looks like I've only done premium in LA. Fair enough. So premium 2023 was $14,300. 2024 we went to 14 and then 13 and then back up to 15 this year we've hovered around 13 and a half a couple of times and we've got 12 and a half and 12 8 50 a couple of times as well so you know that's that again that's a couple of grand drop yeah for sure on that machine especially when the Shane, it brand new, it's 15.5. Yeah, correct, correct. And the LE has gone from 19.5 in 2023, and there's two listed as of recording that are still listed for 19.5 and 18. So they're still yet to find their footing, I guess, in regards to how they're going. And then Deadpool being the last one. This is also similar probably to Godzilla. I think they've held their pricing a little bit as well. But the pros as well, you know, 2023, they were 11.5, 12.5 and 12.5. 2024 still at 11.5. 2025, however, we've gone to 9.5 and 9.250 this year. The premiums in 2023 were 17.4 and 19. and then 2024 they've taken a dip to 13 and 17 and then this year, 2025, they've gone to 14.2 and there's still two for sale at 13 and 15.3. So that's, you know, from, you know, topped out at 19 in 2023 down to 15, some at 13. I mean, really the one sold at 14. So that's, you know, again, that's a five grand difference as well, five grand drop. the LEs have gone from 25 in 2024, believe it or not, to 18, and one's listed at 18.5. Yeah. And once again, during COVID, I remember they were switching hands for about 30 to 32 as well. Yeah. It was bonkers. I'm actually surprised you haven't done a Guns N' Roses comparison, mate. Well, we know what's up with Guns N' Roses. They're sitting at 10. Sunk in the ass, haven't they? Yeah, so that was a very obvious and easy one to do with the Gunners. But, yeah, so I just thought it was interesting just to go through. Look, I wanted to go through a lot more, and I probably left it a little bit late. I actually want to ask members if they had any machines that they had any interest in. So by all means, for next month's podcast, if you want to ask the question to any listeners of any other machines you want me to go back in time and have a look at and see where we're at. Send a time machine, go buy them up yourself and sell them to these people. I could certainly do that. But yeah, shoot us an email. As I said, pimbleoswiderhotmail.com. and happy to look at some other models and other titles and see what other people want to have a bit of a look at. But I just thought that was really interesting. I guess it does fortify what we talk about in regards to where the pricing is. Obviously, some of the more popular models like your Deadpool, Godzilla, Ghostbusters is still sitting at around that $13,000 for premium. So a couple of grand off new in box, but certainly comparable to where they were sitting at $17 and $18, you know, it's a big, big drop, big, big drop. So as I said, I guess that just validates, you know, what we do for the Price Watch and hopefully, you know, a little bit more respect to the segment, which is nice. And so we can't be called Price Police either. So we can't be called Price Police. So that's Pinball Price Watch. Next one is just the tip with Matt and Jazz. you got any tips for us this month Matty? My tip this month which I don't know I sort of said it last month but I don't know if he kept it in yeah he kept it in would have because I said another one later on so it's all right operators keep your machines fucking clean and in working order please because it is horrible going out putting some cash into these machines which something's faulty or it looks like shit have you been somewhere recently that it was last time when we went to Was it with you? We went to Fortress. I can't remember, but it was grubby and shit. Yeah, okay. Yeah, didn't play well, so. Yeah, okay. What about yourself? Look, actually, funnily enough, I didn't. That's all right. But then I got an email that then made me do that I could. I'll read the email at the end, but it's from Ben Leonard. I am. Get it, Ben. My tip is that if you, and I suppose it's probably more to do with friends' houses, expos, because you raised last month at the expo that you were a bit annoyed walking up to a machine and, you know, there were four players and it was only one person and they had left midway through the game leaving 12 balls to play, basically. So my tip is that certainly on newer modern games, if you hold the left flipper and the start button down and hold that for a number of seconds, it'll reset the machine, it'll spit the ball out of the shooter lane, bring it back down into the trough and you can start a new game after that basically. That's on new steering machines. That's what it said on more modern games. Yeah, but it doesn't do that on Jersey Jacks though. You have to go in the coin doors for that. That's what I mean. And only if the machine is set on free play as well, so it won't work on a venue where you put... No, well that's what I said it would be for when you go to people's places or exposure or like because yeah i mean clearly you don't if you if you walk up to a sighted machine and they're still you just play it of course you don't yeah i hope to get a replay get a couple of free games and away you go i've done i've done that a few times before i go jesus christ do you i always push the start button joys yeah press it yeah in case there's a credit yeah you just don't know it might be something left over so i just go around it's like when you're a kid and you go up to the little lolly vending and you put your finger and see if there's 20 cents in the fucking... Or just the leftover M&M's sitting there. Yeah. I don't know about the leftover. I'm sure he did it as a kid. We've all done that. We have, mate. I'm sure we have. Too funny. Okay, so, rumour, industry news. What do you want to go through this month, Matty? Well, first off, we'll talk about the Stern Jaws topper, the 50th anniversary. Gee, they've gone all out with that, haven't they? It's fucking amazing, isn't it? I tell you. Jesus Christ. Love it. Brilliant work, Stern. So they got the original topper and just put a red border around the sign and then stuck a little bloody 50th anniversary logo. Has another sign on the beach for everyone to enjoy. Well done. And charge $100 more, US. It is $100 more, isn't it? I reckon I could 3D print that for all of about $10, mate. I reckon you could, mate. Put some lights in and she's done. but yeah it just pathetic obviously for a topper but just just to release another one like it like oh we got too many left over How can we sell some more Let put some red on Yeah That how I feel Yeah, not great. Shocking. Not great. Then we've got the June topper. June topper. So June was the next one that released some accessories, yeah. Yeah, so that topper looks pretty cool. Actually, it's not finished yet, obviously. It's only the 3D animation of what it's going to do. Yep. So you were saying with the sandworm going, yeah? And the moon's going, yeah? Two moons. Yeah, moons or planets going. I'm not too sure if it actually, from what I can see, it looks like that when it turns to night time, it actually changes visually to blue. Yeah, so I read or saw that when the game goes into night mode or day mode, those moons and possibly the back changes accordingly. But it's pretty cool with the sandworm in motion going along, but that price is pretty up there. I saw the price. Do you see the price? I can't remember. I didn't write it down. No, I didn't. It would be 1500-something US, no doubt. It was like two, I think it was two-four US. Two-four? Yeah. I think. I could be wrong, but that's sort of ringing a bell. It looks a simplistic type. But I think they've been listening to us, though. Oh, why? Because, did you see the backlash that they released? Oh, I didn't. No. Because don't you remember how we said, why do they just fucking have the people standing there? And guess what they released? The big motherfucking sandworm. Have they? Coming at you. Mirror Bay looks really good. Have a look. I'm going to Google it. So I thought you would have seen that. I must have missed it, no. It looks really cool. Okay. Do you remember we had a chat about that? I do, because I just thought it was very plain and it could have tied in better. Is that the new June option one there? No. I'm just showing, Matty. It's not that one? No. Oh, hang on. Sorry, give me a second. A little bit quick for me there. Yeah, sorry, that's the one. Yeah, correct. Yeah, okay. Okay. I mean, it's certainly... Okay, still got that little dude there. I'm pretty sure that's the one. Got some planets in the background. It looks like a massive eye, is it? Or is that... that's a sandworm coming up out of it? Okay. It certainly looks a bit better than the OG, that's for sure. Yeah, nice. But once again, there's another expense, and guess what? It's limited to 200 units, I think it was. Yeah, okay. Ideal. I think they're sold out already from what they said, so... Yeah, okay. Interesting. Let's get to the almighty Tequila Sunrise. I hope everyone knows what we're talking about, eh? Tequila. Yes, Walking Dead. Yeah, that's right. That's what it looks like. It's that fucking Tequila Sunrise. Walking Dead remastered. Yep. Tequila Sunrise remastered. Yep. Tequila Sunrise remastered. Very good. Oh, look. First of all, I'm sick of them amping up about fucking expression lines. Yeah. I'm like, yeah, okay, look cool, whatever, but it's done. And even the speaker inserts, wow. I find it more annoying having all these different lights flashing at you. It doesn't make it any more immersive, I don't think. No, I would agree with you there. Look, otherwise, the zombie chute rod, it looks all right. I don't think it's a bad-looking mold, but they've got two lights behind him for some reason, but I don't know what they're going to do. It lights, so it's similar to your Ghost, not Ghostbusters, Godzilla, is it? that projects the lights on so it comes out of his eyes and his mouth. Is that a shooter rod? Yeah, correct. I've got the egg. Yeah, no, I know, but they've got those two lights in the plate, correct, don't they? No. So what shooter rod has... Jurassic Park. Jurassic Park does. Yeah, but that lights up the clear ember. Yep. So you can stare, though. Yeah, so it has the same effect with the zombie. So it obviously projects the light onto the shooter rod, and his little eyes and mouth, they light depending on, I think it was the mode. Okay, fine. I didn't actually see that light up, though. Well, you know what? I mean, you've got it in front of you. Have a look how fucking close his eyes and mouth is. You're not getting much of light shining through anyway. That's why I didn't think they did anything. And if it twists, you're fucked, aren't you? What happens if... Because most shooters... Yeah, shoot. Turn him upside down. Turn him upside down, you're going to miss the whole effect anyway. And who's watching that during gameplay? So it's... Just another... I'm with you. I think the sculpt is very, very nice. It just doesn't need that bullshit lighting behind it. That's all. As for the topper, the fish tank head water topper, whatever you want to call it. I don't know. It's cool, but for the price of what it is, it's a bloody $1,600 plus GST. It's pretty average. And these are US prices, obviously. No, no, no. Sorry, this is Australian pricing. Oh, that's Australian pricing, is it? Okay. Sorry, also the shooter rod is $350 plus GST. Yeah, yeah. So you're almost at $400 for a shooter. I don't have time to get it delivered. But anyway, with the topper, it's pretty much the same old topper. They have said they've enhanced it slightly, so better quality or better detailed heads. Yeah, but it just looks, once again, it looks... Oh, it's the same topper. It's just wider as well. Is it wider? I don't think... No, if you have a look at that, that doesn't look very wide. It is a wider topper. There you go. Definitely a wider topper. But they've got this light sitting there for some reason. Yeah, LED strip. Yeah, but why should I visually be able to see that? It should be lighting up the heads. Yeah, it should be in the tank, shouldn't it? Yeah, I don't understand what that's for. Shining from behind or what have you or an up. Yeah, no. Yeah, the art blades are just art blades. I'm a mirror blade person, so I don't really care. And the good old side armour. Yep. I don't know what they're doing with the side armour anymore, mate. There's nothing inspiring anymore from side armour. I mean, I don't mind the bullets. I think they're okay and they do shoot up. They do light up. It's not like they've reinvented the wheel with it, I think. They did this back on Star Trek. Yeah. No, I know that. Back all these years ago. I guess they are sticking to a true formula. But, I mean, it's not like, you know, remember the Spider-Man, the comic edition? You had his, I think, was it a hand at the buttons and it had the thwack and then it had the... The webs. The web that stretched up, coiled up the cabinet. Now, you know, that was quite nice. I didn't mind that. But this is just plain and boring, really. Yeah, I know. And for the price of 400 plus GST. Yeah. Plus then you're also pretty sure you also have to buy the expression lights as well, which is another 500 plus GST. Yeah. So. Yeah. As I said, I mean, I had the art blades and speaker lighting. My notes were yawn, like I'm just not interested. You know? So, but this, I mean, and jump into the Star Wars accessories as well, which was a release as well. The same could be said about this. Yep. Their side blades. Exactly. All you've got is a small TIE fighter and that's it. Do you know what they actually said? Dramatic side armour. It's not dramatic. Two laser cut TIE fighters with foil. Big fucking deal, mate. It doesn't do anything. And I actually wrote my note saying, looks so boring. It does. Ha ha ha. It really does. No shit. But for the price, it's disgusting. Yeah. You know, where's the innovation to it? There's nothing. You could probably buy your own side armour and get a laser cut. laser cut as well. And do something better. It was just boring. It's not great. No, I didn't like it at all. No, not great at all. The side art looks okay. The decals look okay. So they've got the AT-AT. Nothing great. And again, with the expression lighting, but nothing great. However, the C3PO topper. Yeah, that's pretty cool. I really do like that, but the price again. Oh, what was that? I missed that again. I'm avoiding price like the plague these days. It's $1,500 US. Yeah, right, okay. So that's taking you close to three when you get here, wouldn't it? Jesus Christ. Wouldn't it be about 2.7? I don't know if it converted. It doesn't matter. Mate, that's fucking ridiculous. Because then you've got GST on it, so it's just so up there. Look, I do like that he's animated, you know, the animatronics. It also gives you a new mode in the game as well, which I didn't think they were going to bring this DLC shit back in after the big... Yeah, they can't help themselves. Yeah, 1,500 converts to around about 2,250. It was a 20G3, but it's going to be about 25 for us. Plus GST. Plus, yeah. At least the add-on, the 250 on that brings it to 25 in any import, which there shouldn't be, but, yeah. So, anyway, and the pretty cool thing is that it's also integrated with the old Star Wars. Yes, agreed. So you can... I like that. So now all these people... I like that. Yeah. So all these people who don't have a topper because there was only 500 R2-D2 toppers released back in the day, which I own one proudly. Thanks to... It's mine. thanks to my good friend Zach Jared and Zach anyway we finally got there I like it, I like the head movement I like the speech but it's still a lot of money to bang back on that machine if you put that next to the Deadpool or the John Wick you know that you're looking at Perspex toppers at the same price, which way would you choose? For the same price? Yes. If they were both at 25? If I can eat animal and shrimp, 100%. There you go. But they're not the same price. No, but that's my point, though, is that you would much prefer something that moves, talks to you, has interaction behind as well. See, but it's annoying, because remember the Black Knight, Swords and Rage? That was the first one that did it. And those toppers were only $600, I'm pretty sure. Do you know? Yeah, I know. And look at the price now. I know. It's just, it's shocking. Did you see actually the one which is the crossed lightsabers that's been doing the rounds recently? So a company called the Electric Playground have done a Star Wars topper that's red and blue crossed sabers. And that looks quite good. Interacts a little bit with the machine of the pop bumpers and a few other things as well. I can't remember what the other ones were. Oh, with the Deaths, is it the Death Star shot or something like that as well? it interacts with and sort of the LED's pulse white behind it. So as an alternative, I didn't get the cost, but it's probably just as much, no doubt. Then the shooter rod. That's the same shooter rod that they released for the previous Star Wars. And guess what? You already have that bobblehead inside the machine as well. Yeah, I know. Sitting there in the spring, I think. No real thought there, is there? No, there's been nothing put into that. No real thought at all. It could have been Yoda, really. Like, you know, Yoda's right there in the centre. Yeah. I don't know, there could have been something more than just a Stormtrooper again. And what about, we're actually talking about the toppers and stuff. I don't think we didn't bring this up, but about six months ago, Stern released their Stern's Expression Light topper. Did you ever see that? Nah. So they have actually released one for Star Wars. So it looks like just a thing of Expression Lights with just another clear piece of Perspex. Yes. And it really, it's dramatic and it just takes the game to a new level. you should buy one of these guys. I'm pretty sure that's what the Friggin' All said. So, yeah, but that's just crap, isn't it? That's just disgusting. I wonder if that was for the home edition? No, no, for all machines. So they're doing... Is it? Okay. I suppose they said they're going to start doing it for all the machines. Yeah, right, okay. For different toppers and this and that. Okay. But otherwise you can just have the plain stern logo sitting on top, lit up with the expression light under it. I'm like... Yeah, why? Why do you need to do that? I just don't get it. That's not really great, is it? No. Not really great. so but yeah so no it is pretty cool that like now the um the the og stern star wars people can now have a topper yep if you want to fork out that almost half quarter of the price of the machine i think it was the last time i didn't by the time you spend all the money on the accessories considering people struggle to sell the le's for like 11 you know yeah yeah yeah yeah well there's still some of the um and that's the other thing that the there's still mandalorian le's for 13.5 one sold I think it was no no it's still on the page that was the one in Queensland was it I think? I can't remember I think that may still be there I'm not sure I'd have to check but even that was like something just different but the problem is is buying something that's and I knew that with Game of Thrones that the issue is that it's not everyone's cup of tea you know same with Mandalorian it's not everyone's cup of tea unfortunately I've never seen Mandalorian either so it's I enjoyed the game. When I played it, I really enjoyed it. Seems to play nice. Samus Game of Thrones, I've never seen that, but do I enjoy playing it? Yes. Yeah. So. Yeah, it's nice. It's each to their own. Each to their own. Agreed. Agreed. So that's basically all rumor industry news. No, you had a couple of things you wanted to add. We chatted and you said there was one about Pokemon, but there was another one. Oh, Transformers. Transformers. And what was the other one you said as well? Oh, sorry, the new company, World Pinball. So there's a new company opening up called World Pinball, so I don't know much about them. But they're supposedly releasing a Resident Evil pinball machine, which that would be pretty cool. I'm a huge Resident Evil fan. I've played all the games. Yeah. So all the main games, I should say. But there are also movies as well. Yeah, of course, yeah, but I'm pretty sure this is based on the games. Okay. I've got the games on the Xbox. I haven't played them. And I love all the movies, honestly. They're supposed to be very, very good games. They're fantastic. Yeah, they are great. so they can scare the shit out of you sometimes. You get a good jump factor out of them sometimes. I wasn't expecting that. Even the newest ones are just so creepy and dark. I think they could make a really cool machine. As long as it's done right, you know, it should be right. Anyway, so as well, there's the Transformers being released by Stern. It is being released by Stern. But that said, as long as it's based on the 84 animation TV show, I think that'll ignite a lot of passion for a lot of people. Yep. Will I buy one? No. No. I won't. It's not for me. Like I said, I'd prefer Deadpool. I haven't thought of Stranger Things, but then Deadpool or Harry Potter would be for me on the Transformers, I'd say. But supposedly they're going to be dropping the new release, Switch machine, it will be on the 6th of January. Yeah, okay. Not even, what's that, seven days away. Yeah, it's not far, is it? Okay. So it's either going to be Pokemon, which was designed by Jack Danger and finished off by Gomez, from what they're saying. But who knows? It's all just inside news, isn't it? Yeah, that was still weird why he left, wasn't it? But he's still working for Stern. He's just not done game design. Yeah, I don't know, doing his marketing or whatever he's doing. Yeah, I don't know. I'm not sure. but maybe what was all the backlash you got from X-Men or Uncanny X-Men I still think that game's a great game it's still fun it's different you know what it is a great game for a piece of shit game it sits right alongside Street Fighter and South Park and South Park I still enjoy it and I'd like to actually put more time on that machine honestly if I could well I mean if we jump up to nil again we will We'll get a meal soon. It should be good. It's going to be soon. It's going to be, buddy, like February, April before we know it. We're going to get a meal. It's ridiculous. How quickly has this year gone? It's gone so quickly. I was meant to catch up with some of my clients here. What was it last week? They said, oh, do you have time to catch up before New Year's? I'm like, not a chance. Yeah. And I'm like, I feel like it should still just be April. Yeah. How quick is it? It's even the Carl Weathers too, mate. Yeah, yeah. Just our Carl Weathers pattern hasn't been summer yet. Not at all. We've only just hit a nice couple of days. Three 30 degree days, isn't it? Yeah. Be good. Be nice. Which, okay, so a couple of last things. Emails. Did we get any emails this month? We got an email. So as I said, we got one from Ben Leonard. He just wrote, hey guys, loving the podcasts. Matt, with two Ts, I hear your pain, mate. Walking up to a game with four players on it. A lot of people don't know this, but if you hold left flipper and start button down for a few seconds, it will shut the game down for a restart, mainly on modern games. Anyway, just thought I'd shoot you a message, let you know. keep up the good work. Ben Leonard. Thanks, Ben. Much appreciated, buddy. Glad you enjoyed the podcast. Yep. Thank you guys. As we said, always, uh, as you're listening, if you've got this far through it, thank you guys. Um, make sure you give us a nice subscribe because that helps with everything. Um, admin rant, anything. I still see a few people popping up with gold watches and cars and shit like that. It's not too bad, but it's, I think this time of year, people just share to fucking everywhere. for some reason. So a few have disappeared. Whether or not they come back, I'm not sure. But when you have one person first post after seven years that's, you know, a gold watch, it's like, see you later, buddy. Yeah, okay. Thanks for hanging around. Thanks for hanging around and posting your gold watch. Yeah, well, the only other thing is, once again, if you want to join the page, you must agree to the rules. Answer the few questions. That's about it. Because we keep declining people every day, non-stop. And actually, for those that invite friends as well, just send them a private message and just ask. They don't have to answer all the questions. Just get them to tick that they agree to the rules. That's the main thing. And then we'll just automatically approve them. But if they don't agree to the rules, even though you've invited them, we can't accept them because they might not know. They might not want to be in the group. I don't know. There might be a myriad of reasons. But, yeah, just shoot them a PM. just say, hey, mate, I'm adding you to the Pinball Oz wide page. Just click you, agree to the rules, and the boards will let you in, which we do. There's no problems. Got to answer that one. Otherwise, I think it's been pretty good. Yeah, it's been right, hasn't it? I think it's been pretty good. Anything else you need to touch on? No, I think that's about it, mate. That's about it. Coming into the new year, there's not much else going on, is there? As you said, a couple of new releases coming up, but otherwise... I think we need to wish everyone a safe and happy new year, honestly. You guys, you know, party on. Agreed. Yep. Be safe. Don't be stupid. Just don't do stupid things. Just enjoy your time. Enjoy spending with your family. Play some pinball. Honestly, stay home. It's just better. It's a headache being out there. Yeah. Yep. You don't want trouble. No. There's no need for getting trouble in your life. So go watch some fireworks on your TV. It's just as good. Yeah. I guess I just want to say to everyone that has listened, thank you for your support, guys. It's been nice. I mean, me and Matty have enjoyed doing this. We enjoyed the feedback, the recent feedback from the Melbourne Expo that we got, people coming up and saying g'day and having a chat to us. So thanks to everyone who listens. Thanks to everyone who subscribes and puts up with our harmonic voices month in, month out. See, we do have heads for radio. We do have heads for radio. We do, don't we? Two bloody good-looking blokes. But, yeah, we'll see everyone into 2026 because this is it for the year. And that's a wrap for 2025. That is a wrap. Thanks for joining us always, Matty. Yes, and thank you, Jared. Pleasure. Pleasure doing it. So one year in. One year in. Plenty more to go. Plenty more to go. I like it. Thanks, buddy. Have a good one. Cheers, buddy. We'll be right back. And what was the most special part about it? There was one special part of the bloopers that we put in. It was quite funny. It was Matty and his balls. Testicle infection. Oh, yeah. It was a yeast infection. This big mate. Really? A yeast infection. No, it was not a yeast infection. It was a fucking testicle infection. Where have you been sticking it, mate, in the wrong oven? Mate. Ha ha.