In the world of arcade games, the magic of the digital and the mechanical blends perfectly. You can devour points and escape from ghosts, or push your skills to the limit by striking a metal ball. It's almost sad to say that a generation is growing up without knowing what a pinball machine is, but with the PinBox 3000 project, that might change. The idea? Build your own pinball machine, and aside from time, all you need is cardboard.
The last time I played a pinball machine was... no, I can't remember. That's pretty serious, more than I'd like to admit. We've entered an era where the only way to visit an arcade is through virtual reality. In the name of comfort and multiplayer platforms, the old ritual of holding out with a single coin gave way to direct downloads, DLCs, the dread of achievements, and things like Quick Time Events that still divide players today. But the most serious thing is that time passes, and there's a whole new legion of kids who have no idea what Pac-Man, Space Invaders, or a pinball machine is. What was once fertile ground for fierce competition among manufacturers, with increasingly colorful and complex designs, now falls into the circle of rarities covered in nostalgia.
Build Your Own Cardboard Pinball
The PinBox 3000 project lets us fight that, even if only a little. Procuring and restoring a pinball machine can be very expensive, but with PinBox 3000 we have the chance to build one from cardboard, rubber bands, glue, and marbles. In addition to using relatively common materials, the PinBox 3000 design allows a high level of customization. In essence, the player-builder can modify the table to their liking, and if you have access to a laser cutter, the possibilities are much wider. But that's not all: PinBox 3000 is compatible with a 'combat mode' where two pinballs are placed 'back to back', and a player must throw the ball at their opponent. The pinball machine has no electrical components, so each player must assign and count points on their own.
The Kickstarter Campaign
PinBox 3000 is about to finish its Kickstarter campaign. It needs $10,000 to move to the next phase of development, and with six days to go, it's very close to reaching that goal. The basic kit costs $50, but the problem is that there's no option for international shipping. The project is very low cost, and all funds are focused on developing the pinball machine and additional tables. However, I imagine there will be some way to access the PDF with the plans to make your own version.
