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Virtual pinball setup guide 2026

Build, install and tune a serious VPX cabinet

A complete, current guide to VPX, PinUP Popper, VPinMAME, FlexDMD, B2S, DMDext, DOF, cabinet parts, wiring, displays, downloads and cabinet build planning.

Latest downloads
Cabinet build
Install order
Browse VPX tables

Already building your library?
Use the Retrocade live virtual pinball table database to find VPX tables, backglasses, PuP Packs, ROM notes, media packs and public source links.

Best beginner pathPinUP Baller Installer on clean Windows 10/11

Core simulatorVisual Pinball X 10.8.0

ROM engineVPinMAME / PinMAME 3.6

Cabinet standardPlayfield, backglass, DMD, SSF and optional DOF toys

Start here

The cleanest virtual pinball setup path

Set the cabinet target before installing anything

A virtual pinball setup is much easier when you decide the physical cabinet first: playfield size, backglass screen, DMD type, audio, plunger, nudging and whether you want DOF feedback toys.

Plan the cabinet Get the software

1. Start with the cabinet plan

Choose two screens, three screens or a real DMD before installing software. Your display layout decides your PinUP, B2S, DMD and Windows monitor setup.

2. Install on clean Windows

Use a simple folder such as C:\vPinball. Avoid OneDrive, Program Files and long nested paths for table content.

3. Add one table at a time

Test VPX first, then ROMs, then B2S, then DMD, then PuP Packs, then PinUP Popper media. Do not troubleshoot everything at once.

Official downloads

Current virtual pinball downloads

Checked on 24 June 2026. Use release pages where possible, because maintainers can update assets, notes and dependencies.

Component	Current release	Use	Link
PinUP Popper / Baller Installer	PinUP Baller Installer 2025	Beginner-friendly Windows setup for PinUP Popper, PinUP Player and the common VP stack.	Official Baller page
Visual Pinball X	VPX 10.8.0	Main simulator and editor for modern VPX tables.	VPX GitHub releases
VPinMAME / PinMAME	PinMAME 3.6	ROM emulation for solid-state tables, sounds, switches, lamps and DMD data.	VPinMAME releases
B2S Backglass Server	B2S Server 2.1.6	Animated backglass support for second and third screens.	B2S releases
DMD Extensions	DMDext 2.5.0	Virtual DMD windows, real DMD output, colorization and mirroring.	DMDext releases
FlexDMD	FlexDMD 1.9.1	Custom DMD renderer used by many original and newer VPX tables.	FlexDMD releases
DirectOutput Framework	DOF R3++ 3.2.1	Cabinet toys: contactors, flashers, LEDs, shaker, gear motor, fan and knocker.	DOF releases
Virtual Pinball Spreadsheet	Live database	Tables, backglasses, ROM notes, PuP Packs, wheel art, versions and authors.	Open VPS

Software stack

What each part does

PinUP PopperFrontend, playlists, wheels, videos and launch menu.

VPXRenders the playfield and runs the table script.

VPinMAMEEmulates ROM-based pinball logic.

B2S / DMDShows backglass and score display output.

DOFTurns table events into physical feedback.

Pinscape virtual pinball cabinet architecture diagram

Architecture reference from the excellent Pinscape Build Guide by MJR.

Cabinet build

Build the machine around service access

Display layout

Two-screen cabinets use a playfield and backglass. Three-screen cabinets add a dedicated DMD/full-DMD. Real DMD builds need supported DMD hardware and DMDext configuration.

PC hardware

Use a gaming GPU sized for your playfield resolution. For 4K playfields, test demanding VPW-style tables before assuming the system is finished.

Controls

Plan flippers, magna-save, start, exit, coin, launch ball, plunger and nudge. Cabinet controllers can include Pinscape, KL25Z, LedWiz-style boards or Open Pinball Device hardware.

Power and grounding

Separate mains, 12V feedback, USB, audio and video. Use fuses, safe grounding, ferrules, terminal blocks, strain relief and flyback diodes for coils/contactors.

Audio and SSF

Surround Sound Feedback with exciters can make a cabinet feel alive before adding contactors. Mount exciters solidly and tune Windows audio per table.

Cooling

Create a real airflow path. Intake low, exhaust high, keep power supplies ventilated and make the PC removable without dismantling the cabinet.

Parts suppliers

Useful places to buy virtual pinball parts

VirtuaPin

Cabinet kits, trim, lockdown bars, plunger kits and virtual pinball bundles.

Open VirtuaPin

Pinball Life

Buttons, legs, switches, assemblies, lamps, hardware and pinball replacement parts.

Open Pinball Life

Marco Specialties

Pinball cabinet hardware, mechanisms, rubbers, lamps, trim and real-machine parts.

Open Marco

Planetary Pinball

Licensed Williams/Bally reproduction parts and cabinet hardware.

Open Planetary

Pololu

Small electronics, power modules, sensors, controllers and wiring helpers.

Open Pololu

TAP Plastics

Acrylic, speaker panels, DMD windows, covers and custom plastic pieces.

Open TAP

Install order

Install in this order

1Install Windows, GPU drivers, chipset drivers and all displays.

2Set Windows power mode, disable sleep for cabinets and confirm monitor order.

3Use PinUP Baller Installer for a fresh build, or install VPX, VPinMAME, B2S, DMDext, FlexDMD and DOF manually.

4Test a non-ROM VPX table, then a ROM table, then a directB2S backglass.

5Configure DMD windows or real DMD hardware before adding PuP Packs.

6Configure PinUP Popper after individual tables launch correctly outside the frontend.

Tables and media

How to add tables without breaking your build

Table files

Put .vpx tables in the VPX Tables folder. Use the Retrocade VPX tables database to check versions and source links.

Find ROM notes for virtual pinball tables

ROMs

ROM files stay zipped in the VPinMAME ROMs folder. Check Retrocade table listings and VPS notes for exact ROM names.

PuP Packs

PuP Packs usually go in PinUPSystem\PUPVideos. Browse PuP Packs and backglasses from the live Retrocade table page.

Retrocade virtual pinball table database
VPX tables and backglasses
Virtual Pinball Spreadsheet
VPUniverse Downloads
VPForums Downloads

DOF and feedback

Upgrade the cabinet in layers

SSFExciters and surround audio for mechanical feel.

ContactorsFlippers, slingshots and bumpers.

MotorsShaker, gear motor and fan.

LightsFlashers, strobes, beacons and buttons.

Addressable LEDsUndercab, side strips and matrix effects.

Community mini forum

Ask virtual pinball questions and share screenshots

Post cabinet build questions, VPX install problems, ROM errors, DMD issues, PuP Pack screen problems, DOF wiring faults and performance fixes. Questions and answers stay public on this page so other builders can learn from them.

Fast fixes

Common setup problems

Problem	Likely cause	Fix
ROM error	Wrong ROM name, missing zip, extracted ROM or wrong folder.	Use the exact ROM listed by the author or VPS and keep it zipped.
Backglass missing	B2S filename mismatch, blocked files or wrong screen coordinates.	Match filenames, unblock extracted files and run B2S settings.
DMD missing	DMDext/FlexDMD setup, scaling or position issue.	Check DmdDevice.ini, Windows scaling and table-specific DMD notes.
PuP on wrong screen	Windows monitor order changed.	Run PinUP display setup again.
Stutter	Frame pacing, overlays, power saving or GPU headroom.	Use performance power mode, close overlays and tune VPX sync settings.
DOF silent	Missing DOF config, plugin path or controller mapping.	Generate DOF config and test controller outputs directly.

Sources

Primary references

This guide links to and synthesizes the Pinscape Build Guide, PinUP Baller Installer, VPX, VPinMAME, B2S, DMDext, FlexDMD, DOF, VPS, VPUniverse, VPForums and the Retrocade virtual pinball tables page.