The world’s first and only pinball machine based on the irreverent rock mockumentary This Is Spinal Tap has begun shipping to customers. The announcement was shared by one of the game’s distributors.
A comedy-rock licence in pinball form
Homepin Factory, a company operating between Australia and Taiwan, developed the machine. It is Homepin’s second licensed pinball title, following the combination of comedy and music seen in Weird Al pinball while also drawing on an older film licence.
The official site for the game details a 27-inch backbox LCD, an orange DMD directly below it, two flippers and steel wireform ramps. The playfield also includes several toys inspired by instruments and props featured in the film, with additional features listed online.
Homepin appears to have designed the machine with troubleshooting and parts replacement in mind. However, its practical serviceability will need to be assessed through field experience rather than specifications alone. Readers comparing physical tables with digital alternatives can also explore RETROCADE’s guide to virtual pinball machines.
What operators still need to learn
There is limited evidence so far about how Homepin machines perform in demanding commercial environments. A machine was spotted at the Pinball Hall of Fame in Las Vegas earlier in 2023, but one installation cannot establish its reliability, maintenance demands or earning potential.
Homepin’s Australia-and-Taiwan base may mean the brand is more commonly encountered in Australia than in some other markets. Homepin lists several distributors on its front page, although the only distributor found listing this machine at the time was Retro Arcade Specialists UK LTD, with a listed price of about £4,000.
Price and arcade prospects
That UK price is approximately US$5,000, putting the machine near the price of Stern Pro models several years ago. On that comparison, the game appears competitively positioned. Its success with operators will depend on whether it can withstand regular arcade use while earning consistently.
Anyone weighing a full-size machine for a venue or collection can use RETROCADE’s arcade machine buying guide when considering space, ownership and maintenance requirements. For more developments across the amusement and gaming scene, follow the RETROCADE arcade blog as real-world feedback on the machine emerges.
Leave a Reply