This was originally released on VHS after Pinball Fantasy '96, an awesome show organized by Herb Silvers of Fabulous Fantasies, the best in ground up restorations and one of a kind pins, since 1988. Herb himself has been a collector since 1972. 

This show actually took place at the Riviera Hotel & Casino, unlike Pinball Fantasy 2006, which took place at the Plaza Hotel off the Vegas strip across from where the nightly Fremont Experience light show takes place.  

According to Herb, there were only about 40 copies made, and Pingeek bought one of the last ones at Pinball Fantasy 2006, a future Pingeek dvd release.  Of those 40 copies, there probably aren't that many in existence.  Regardless, there's nothing like watching a video on dvd, with beginning and ending dead spots cut out, and cool menus.  Keep in mind, this video was produced in 1996, and not an amateur video like Pingeek's, so many spots have music overdubs.  I have to admit, this is a pretty slick production.

The video begins with the intro credits appearing during a short tour of the Vegas strip.  Then, it's a brief look at setup.  Finally, it's the show.  There is a ten minute overview of some of the pins in the show.  Pins you will see include such rarities as Road Runner, 4 x 4, King Kong, Tales From The Crypt, Time Machine, The Addams Family, Earthshaker, Pharaoh, Defender, a rare Gottlieb Gemini electromechanical, Goin' Nuts, and more. Keep in mind, many of these games are just shown in attract mode, and with music overdubs.     

Finally, you see and hear the show.  See such rarities as Spirit of '76(Mirco), the first electronic pinball machine, produced after Gottlieb's Spirit of '76.  This game is covered in great detail, inside and out. It's the first to use a solid state flipper coil, and the first to use microswitches instead of leaf switches.  The tilt mechanism is nothing but a mercury bubble.  The original legs were stainless steel.          

After the tour of this unique game, it's back to show highlights, featuring some music overdubs.  One of the rarest games you will see is a Gottlieb TKO, which I think is the last Gottlieb electromechanical produced. It's covered in great detail on Tim Arnold's Bingorilla dvd set, which can be ordered HERE.  More games covered in highlights on this Vegas dvd include Hi-Diver, a one of a kind Game Plan pin, Loch ness Monster, a Genco Champion pitch and bat, Williams' Pennant Fever, Andromeda, Cyclopes, Official Baseball (the pitcher throws the ball at you), and finally, Williams' (not Gottlieb) Olympics.  

Next, a walk through of the show.  See and hear pinball machines all over the place.  Then, it's a rare look inside and out of a Bow and Arrow, Bally's first solid state. Only a few of them exist as solid states.  After that, it's more highlights, featuring some music overdubs, including a prototype Cleopatra with a Spirit of '76 cabinet.  More walk throughs include Stern's wacky Orbitor 1, a rare Stern Viper, Nip-It, Fireball, Star-Jet (an early Bally multiball game), Double-Up, Balls-A-Poppin', Evil Knievel, Spectrum, Bally Hoo, Hootenanny, Band Wagon.  

After that, it's another walk through the show, with brief glimpses at For Amusement Only, Mr. Pinball, Pinball Resource, and Fabulous Fantasies.

Next it's a look at a rare Spectrum, the first off the assembly line.  TRIVIA:  All Bally games started at 1000 for their production number.  So, by watching this dvd, I learned something new. The production model also had slightly different playfield art.  

After that, back to highlights, with more pins seen in a music walkthrough. Games include such Bally rarities:  Harvest, Bullfight, Wild Wheels, Happy Tour, Fun Cruise, and many others, including Ballyhoo, Target Roll, Jack In The Box, Team One, Abra Ca Dabra, Kings & Queens, Swing Along, Play Mates, and bingos, including Tahiti, Stock Market, and Miami Beach all from Tim Arnold's collection, which now resides in The Pinball Hall of Fame.  

Next, another walk through of the show, including a rather unique "crane shot" of the show.  Still trying to figure how they did that one.

Next, it's a brief look at Asteroid Annie & The Aliens.  It's the only single player solid state game, a low production game that never took off. 

We then have a hip beebop music walkthrough of more games, including Spirit Of '76, Spanish Eyes, Buckaroo, Ten-Up, Trail Drive, North Star, Ace High, Lightning Ball, Queen Of Diamonds, Toreador, Strange World, Target Pool, Sure Shot, Bowl-O, and Vampire.

After that, a couple of giveaways, then it's back to the music walkthrough.  Pins you'll see include cocktail pins of Roy Clark's The Entertainer, Vegas, ?Cruise?, and head to head oddites like Challenger, and other rare pins, like Dimension, Mousin' Around, Video Pinball, Asteroid Annie & The Aliens, Count-down, Super Orbit, Pinball Pool, KISS, Touchdown, Hayburners, Ready Aim Fire!, Sorcerer, Fathom, Pistol Poker, Punchy The Clown, Criss Cross Pop Up, ZZ Top Eliminator Pinball (apparently once a Williams Space Shuttle), and Pink Panther.

Next, a rare treat.  Tim Arnold's one of a kind hand built TKO, which now resides at Pinball Hall of Fame and is featured on the Bingorilla dvd, is shown here in Vegas briefly for the first time EVER.  Remember, this was TEN years ago.  

After that, yet another music walkthrough.  Featured pins include Medusa, Magic Castle, Centaur, Captain Fantastic, Cactus Jack's, Operation: Thunder, Vegas, Title Fight,  Rocky, James Bond, Star Trek (1978), Star Trek 25th Anniversary, Star Trek Next Generation, Star Wars, Batman, and Batman Forever. 

Next up are brief tournament highlights.

After that, more music walkthroughs. Featured pins include Baywatch, Maverick, Tee'd Off, Strikes 'N Spares, Bad Cats, Bugs Bunny's Birthday Ball, Taxi, Robocop, Genesis, Baby Pac-Man, Incredible Hulk, Paragon, Fish Tales.

Then Herb Silvers, the guy behind this festive occasion, is introduced. Herb talks about his favorite game, Balls-A-Poppin', the first flipper machine to feature multiball.  

Next, yet another music walkthrough.  Featured pins include Earthshaker, Space Station, Space Shuttle, Black Knight, a Williams Short-Stop pitch and bat, Play Ball, Hot Hand, Ship Ahoy, Volley, Flight 2000, Jokerz!, Cyclone, The Games, Tommy, Thunderball, Bally Hoo, Grand Slam, Yanks, Big Day, Bongo, Pinball Magic, Mad World, Bus Stop, Twin Win, BMX, and concluding with a rare Willy At The Bat game. 

Although there is a good amount of music overdubs, I found this video to be a real treat, loaded with footage of rare games.  Quite a lot to see in just 90 minutes.  Remember, this was 1996, and you had to ask yourself, who would buy video of a pinball show?;) Hats off to Herb for making this footage possible.  If you wish to learn more about any of these pins seen on this dvd, go to The Internet Pinball Database.

$10 for the dvd, plus $2.00 to cover shipping anywhere in the USA. If you want priority USPS shipping within the USA, it's $5.30 to cover priority with delivery confirmation.  International orders welcome basically anywhere the US post office delivers. Shipping is extra outside the US. To get a shipping quote, http://www.usps.com . One dvd in a thick plastic case weighs 5 oz, shipping from Richmond, VA 23229 to anywhere in the world. 

1 hr. 28 minutes total running time.

Place your orders here.  Paypal me at pingeek@pingeek.com, with your name, address, number of copies you wish to order, method of payment (US money order (instant shipping), personal check (held 7-10 days to clear).  http://www.usps.com for international buyers to get a shipping quote.  The dvd packaged is 5 oz., and ships from Richmond, VA 23229.

 Orders placed before 2 pm get same day shipping.

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