Colin "CMA" Alsheimer

Author Profile

Colin "CMA" Alsheimer

Colin is the chief pixel pusher at Kineticist. He's a lifetime gaming enthusiast who became enamored with pinball after taking in a family copy of the 1979 classic Joker Poker (the EM version). Since then he's bought, sold and repaired many machines, competed in all kinds of tournaments, and helps run the Pin-Masters of New England tournament series. Previously, Colin spent over a decade working in marketing for agencies and tech startups. He also started and ran a music blog, happy hour website and wrote a regular craft beer review column for a Dallas news site.

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Breaking: Jersey Jack Severs Partnership with Scorbit

Connected pinball startup Scorbit launches new partnership with Chicago Gaming Company.

8 Reasons to be Super Stoked for All the New Pinball Game Releases

It's truly a special time to be in the pinball world right now. Let's take a moment to reflect and celebrate the state of the hobby!

Pulp Fiction is the Next Chicago Gaming Company Pinball Machine

Pulp Fiction is the next Chicago Gaming Company pinball machine.

Pinball Hype Index Updates: March 2023

Recapping the Pinball Hype Index updates for March 2023.

The Godfather is the Next Jersey Jack Pinball Machine

Jersey Jack officially confirms a very poorly held secret. Coming March 2023.

First Confirmation of Jersey Jack's The Godfather?

Did Pintastic New England accidentally spill the beans on Jersey Jack's next game (The Godfather)? Check out their post on Facebook, and draw your own conclusions!

Galactic Tank Force is the Next American Pinball Machine

It wasn't much of a secret before, but it's definitely not a secret now! Galactic Tank Force is American Pinball's next pin.

Foo Fighters Pinball is the Next Stern Cornerstone Release

Surprising very few in the pinball hobby (particularly if you've been paying attention to our Hype Index rankings), Stern Pinball has officially confirmed that The Foo Fighters will be their next cornerstone release.

The Rare Pinball Files: a Deep Dive on Hankin's Empire Strikes Back (1980)

Taking a look at the ultra-rare Empire Strikes Back pinball machine from 1980, plus a chat with a Star Wars super-fan and pinball collector in Australia.

Hype Index Updates: February 2023

Recapping the Hype Index updates for February, 2023.

Recapping the Winners of The 2023 PiNbALL DeGENeRaTE Awards (AKA the DeGENies)

The 2nd annual Pinball Degenerate Awards (aka The Degenies) were pulled off without so much as a hitch.

10 Retro Arcades From the 1970s-1990s: Mostly Gone But Not Forgotten!

The 1970s to 1990s was truly the golden era for public arcades. Take a stroll through arcade history with our roundup of 10 arcade chains that people still reminisce about today.

Everything You Need to Know About Pinball Machine Rental

Are you looking to get into pinball but don't want to commit to buying a machine? Then rent a pinball machine! Find out everything you need to know about pinball machine rental - from the benefits of renting versus buying, to how you can find local distributors and operators that offer rentals.

The 10 Best Steve Ritchie Pinball Games, Ranked

Steve Ritchie has made some epic games. He's often in the running for best pinball designer of all time, alongside other industry greats like Pat Lawlor, Keith Elwin, Barry Oursler, and others. But which ones stand out as the best of the best? Let's find out.

44 Best Affordable Used Pinball Machines to Buy in 2023 ($5k or Less)

If you dig deep enough, it's still possible to find the right pinball machine for your collection at a fair price point. We'll help you get started with our roundup of affordable pins.

10 Incredible Pinball Hotspots in Chicago, Illinois

Chicago Illinois is a city that offers something for everyone, and for pinball and arcade fans, it's a veritable paradise. The Windy City is home to some of the best pinball and arcade spots in the country.

6 Essential Pinball Bars and Arcades in Nashville, Tennessee

Check out our roundup of the best places to play pinball and arcade games when visiting Nashville, Tennessee.

The Ultimate Guide to Pinball Shows & Tournaments in 2023

We're officially into 2023, and with INDISC just around the corner, it's time for our first annual roundup of the best pinball shows, conventions, expos, and tournaments that should be on your travel schedule for the year.

Bookmark These: The 50 Best Pinball Websites to Feed Your Growing Pinball Obsession

We've put together a list of the best pinball websites on the internet, broken down into easy-to-digest categories. Whether you're looking to dive headfirst into the scene or just want to buy a shiny new machine, we've got you covered.

5 Great Places to Play Pinball in and Around Boise, Idaho

Looking to get your arcade and pinball fix in Boise? We gotchu. Check out our guide to the 5 places you need to visit to play pinball in Boise, Idaho.

Uncut Gems: 21 Best Gottlieb Pinball Machines of the Modern Era

We apply our Pingorithm® rankings to Gottlieb's modern pinball machines.

Get Your Flipper Fix at These 9 Denver Pinball Hotspots

Looking for the best places to play pinball in Denver? Look no further! We've rounded up a list of 9 essential locations in and around the city where you can test your skills and have a great time.

Milwaukee Pinball Hotspots: Where to Find the Best Machines in the City

Looking for the best places to play pinball in Milwaukee? Look no further! Our guide to Milwaukee's top pinball hotspots will help you find the best machines in the city. From classic Bally and Williams tables to the latest Stern pinball machines, there's something for everyone.

10 Awesome Places to Play Pinball in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex

The Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW) metroplex is a vibrant and exciting metropolitan area that has something for everyone. Whether you're looking for a friendly competition or just some old-school gaming fun, the area's arcades, barcades and pinball bars can provide hours of entertainment.

A Comprehensive Guide to Pinball for New Players

If you're looking to join the pinball scene, here's your guide! Learn everything from how to get started playing and checking out nearby venues, all the way up through joining passionate online communities for extra help.

4 Great Places to Play Pinball in Tucson, Arizona

Check out our guide to 4 great places to play pinball and arcade games in Tucson, Arizona.

11 Must-Have Pinball Apps For Your Home Screen (Plus 5 Games to Avoid)

If you're a pinball player or collector, these are the must-have pinball apps for your phone or tablet (plus a few apps you can skip for now).

7 Marvelous Places to Play Pinball in Kansas City

Scoping out 7 of the best places to play pinball at in and around Kansas City.

Are You a Pinball Wizard? Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About a Pinhead's Least Favorite Phrase

Get ready to become a pinball wizard and uncover the secrets of the pinhead's least favorite phrase.

Skill & Luck Games

Belgian Feather Bowling: Everything You Wanted to Know But Were Afraid to Ask

This is truly the only guide you'll probably ever need to Belgian Feather Bowling.

13 Totally Radical 1970s Era Williams Pinball Machines

Taking a look at 13 totally radical pinball machines produced by Williams Electronics Company from 1970-1979.

Home Game Rooms

105 Awesome Ideas for Game Room Names

Check out our comprehensively creative list of the 105 coolest game room and arcade names.

10 Essential Places to Play Pinball in Phoenix and The Valley, Arizona

Our guide to the 10 essential places to play pinball in Phoenix and The Valley, Arizona.

Home Game Rooms

What Everyone Should Know About the Mini Jumbotron

Learn everything you need to know about the ultimate home game room and man cave accessory - the Mini Jumbotron.

8 Incredible Places to Play Pinball in New York City (and Brooklyn)

Check out these 8 incredible places to play pinball and arcade games in New York City and Brooklyn.

6 Essential Places to Play Pinball in and Around St. Louis, MO

Where to play classic and modern pinball, arcade games, and more while visiting St. Louis, Missouri.

Top Places to Play Pinball in and Around Boston, MA

So here's the deal. If you don't know much about Boston, it's a pretty small city. By population and land area. And that scarcity of land means that the business model for location pinball is hard. But, the Boston area is still home to some of the best pinball in the country. Check out our guide.

The Ultimate Guide to Buying a Bubble Hockey Table for Your Game Room

Most people are familiar with bubble hockey as the table arcade game with a plastic or glass bubble over the top of it. However, if you have never played bubble hockey, you're in for a treat!

13 Places to Find the Pinball Community Online (That Aren't Pinside)

One of the best parts of getting into the pinball scene is discovering the great community behind it. Check out our roundup of the best places to find the pinball community online (besides Pinside.com).

Best Places to Play Pinball in Portland, Oregon

If you're looking for a place to play some pinball or arcade games, Portland certainly has you covered. There are several top-notch arcades and barcades in the city that offer a variety of pinball machines, arcade games, and other amusement options. Check out our guide.

Best Places to Play Pinball in Austin, Texas

Welcome to Austin, Texas! A city that's constantly buzzing with energy and excitement. If you're looking for the best places to play pinball in the city, we've got you covered! Here are the 5 best palces to play pinball in the city.

8 Best Places to Play Pinball in Minneapolis, Minnesota

Check out the 8 best places to play pinball and arcade games in the Minneapolis, Minnesota and Twin Cities area.

Guide to The Top Places to Play Pinball in San Francisco, CA

Check out our handy guide to the 7 best places to find and play pinball machines in San Francisco California.

Top 10 Places to Play Pinball in San Diego, California

Check out the top places to find and play pinball on location in San Diego, CA.

The 10 Best George Gomez Pinball Machines, Ranked

The pinball world is a small one. If you're in it, you know all the names. And if you know all the names, you probably also know that George Gomez is one of the biggest names in the business. In this post we take a look at his 10 best games before the release of James Bond.

5 Top Places to Play Pinball in Green Bay, Wisconsin

If you're looking for places to play pinball in and around Green Bay, Wisconsin, you're in luck! Here are the 5 top places to find pinball when visiting the Green Bay area.

An Easy Step-by-Step Guide to Installing Stern Insider Connected on Your Pinball Machine

If you're a fan of Stern pinball machines, then you're going to love the new Stern Pinball Insider Connected kit! This amazing new system allows you to connect your machine to the internet and access a variety of features, including game updates, special achievements, progress tracking, and more.

The Best Places to Find Pinball in Asheville, North Carolina

Five of the best places to find pinball to play when you're visiting Asheville, North Carolina.

The Best Places to Find Pinball in Las Vegas, Nevada

Welcome to Las Vegas! Las Vegas is a city in Nevada that is best known for its casinos, gaming, and gambling. The city has a rich history and is home to some of the most famous tourist destinations in the world. But where should you play pinball? We'll show you!

Ranking The Best Bally Pinball Machines from the 1970s: A Roundup for Arcade and Pinball Fans

When you were growing up, do you remember the hours spent at the local arcade playing your favorite pinball machines? If that's you, and you've still got an eye for the legendary silverball, then you'll love this roundup of the best vintage Bally pinball machines from the 1970s.

The 27 Best Pinball Machines from the 1980s: A Great Era for Pinball

The 1980s were a great time for pinball. Manufacturers continued the switch from electromechanical machines to solid states, and as a result, some of the best pinball machines ever made were produced during that decade. Here, we will take a look at some of the best pinball machines from the 1980s.

Ranking the 50 Themes Pinball Fans Really Want for Stern's Next Pinball in 2022

Stern Pinball is one of the most popular pinball manufacturers in the world. Every year, they release instant classics (or sometimes maligned misses) with fans. With so many amazing titles under their belt, it's hard to imagine what could be the next Stern for 2022. But we'll try our best!

The 50 Highest Rated Pinball Machines of All Time: A Comprehensive Guide

If you're a fan of pinball, then you know that there are some machines that are just better than the rest. They often have high ratings from fans and collectors alike. Here, we will take a look at the highest-rated machines of all time.

Ranking the 33 Best Pinball Machines from the 1990s

Was there a better decade for pinball and all-time great pinball machines than the 1990s? It feels like almost every year, particularly early and midway through the decade, has multiple total bangers that would be the jewel of a game room collection even today.

The Best New Pinball Machines for Your Home Game Room in 2022

Pinball machines are making a comeback. No longer relegated to arcades, these games are now finding their way into game rooms across the country. If you're looking to buy a new pinball machine for your game room, then you're in luck! Here is a roundup of the best new machines, you can buy today.

In Defense of Kaneda Pinball Podcast - Or Why Pinball Needs a Good Heel

For those of you who are familiar with the world of pro wrestling (and I know a lot of you are, otherwise we wouldn't have several wrestling-themed pins to enjoy), you're probably already aware of the concept of faces and heels. For those less familiar, let us educate you.

Tabletop Gaming

How to Buy the Perfect Board Game Table for Your Game Room

Having the perfect game table is key to enjoying your favorite tabletop games. In this article, we will discuss some things to consider when buying a board game table for your game room. We'll also provide recommendations for some of the best game table manufacturers in the business today.

The Best New Pinball Machines of 2019: Retrospective and Rankings

2019 was a year. The last of our "normal" years, you could even argue, and one of the last years of normal production cycles for pinball machine manufacturers. Looking back on the 2019 release, what's stood the test of time? Here, we apply the tier list format to pins from 2019.

The Ins and Outs of Coin Pusher Arcade Machines: How to Buy One for Your Home Game Room

If you've found yourself at the arcade drawn in by the lights, sounds, and motion of a coin pusher machine, you're not alone. It's captivating watching the machine's parts push coins and tokens around, just waiting for that jackpot moment where hundreds of tokens all fall into the machine at once.

Your Guide to the Wide World of Star Wars Pinball Machines

When it comes to Star Wars pinball machines, there are a lot of options to choose from. We'll take a look at some of the best Star Wars pinball machines available, looking at all physical and digital Star Wars tables. So without further ado, let's get started!

Home Game Rooms

How to Buy The Best Arcade Style Air Hockey Table for Your Home Game Room

Do you love the game of air hockey? The sound of pucks bouncing off the table edge, the slap of a mallet, the rattle and clink of a successful shot on goal? If so, then you know that there's nothing quite like playing a game on an arcade style air hockey table.

The Ultimate Roundup of Upcoming Pinball Machines & Rumors

There's a lot of exciting news in pinball lately! Big names in the industry have announced new pinball machines coming out in 2022, plus a ton of new pinball machine rumors. We're scouring the web and all sorts of content for all the juiciest pinball machine rumors and new machine confirmations.

Who Makes Pinball Machines in 2023? A Guide to All the Pinball Manufacturers Making Modern Pinball Games

Despite what you may think, Pinball has never really died. While it is true that Pinball nearly vanished in the 1990s as video gaming were on the upswing, thanks to some determined people, Pinball managed to limp along for a few years before enjoying a resurgence in recent years.

The Definitive Guide on Buying a Skee Ball Machine for Your Home Game Room

Are you a Skee Ball fanatic? Is there nothing more entertaining or relaxing than rolling that ball down the playfield in search of the perfect score? If this sounds like you, you have probably thought to buy a Skee Ball machine for your home at least once (we know it's true).

How to Buy a DDR Arcade Machine for Your Home Game Room

Do you love to dance? Do you love video games? Were you an arcade kid who came of age in the late 1990s and early 2000s? If so, then you should consider buying a DDR (Dance Dance Revolution) arcade machine for your home game room!