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Vote: Pinball vs Table Football
Before the existence of hi-tech arcade games, there were a pair of machines that swallowed up our hours like a hungry Alsatian. I’m talking about the pinball machine and table football. But which should be inducted onto the Hallowed Gadget Show Wall of Fame? Let the battle of the best bar games commence…
After the fruit machine, pinball is the most successful arcade game ever! It shouldn’t come as a surprise then to learn that more than 12 million pinball machines have been made, with more than $100 million being fed into them each year in America alone. And the reason? Well, the simplicity of firing a ball around some neon light-illuminated obstacles can prove to be surprisingly addictive! The fact that there was a time when you couldn’t walk into a bar or cafe without seeing a pinball machine also helped.
But how does pinball compare to the beautiful game? Arguably the best way to play the world’s most popular sport, without having to run around for 90 minutes in unfeasibly tight shorts, is via table football. Who invented the game is up for debate, with the French, Germans and us Brits all laying claim, but by the Second World War it was a worldwide phenomenon. Like pinball the genius of it is its simplicity. Four rods with plastic players attached that you use to put the ball in the opponents’ goal. Simple. It’s so popular that various leagues and championships have even been set up.
So, which bar game will Judge Jon induct into the Wall of Fame? Watch the video above to find out. Don’t agree with our esteemed colleague’s decision? Have your say in the poll below…
User comments (39)
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ross24 August 2009
Pinball isn't really a bar game...
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james mcclelland24 August 2009
nobody plays pinball anymore, its time has passed.
Report as inappropriatelee24 August 2009
The football table rocks I have one in my room I play it everyday with my mates and is great for a laugh
Report as inappropriateJim Stafford24 August 2009
Suzi's Pinball has to win!!! simply because of her great legs and short skirts !!!! lol
Report as inappropriatejon24 August 2009
Simple, Suzi should win because Pinball is a great game, As much as I like table football, pinball is better because there is more of a skill to it. Suzi also should win because she is looking rather georgous tonight.
Report as inappropriateSarah24 August 2009
table football was robbed... what a great game
Report as inappropriateBen Serjeant24 August 2009
Channel 5 While enjoying a loverly evening in watching the usually fabulous Gadget Show I was disgusted to hear the result of the farce of a contest that was called Pinball vs Table Football.Now as everyone with half a brain knows Table Football is twice the game of Pinball and should have won hands down. The only person to blame for this catastrophic decision is none other than judge of this joke Jon Bentley. I am writing mainly in request for this decision to be overturned and Table Football being given the recognition it so rightly deserves. This or Channel Five consider the job of Mr Jon Bentley!!! A past viewer Ben Serjeant
Report as inappropriateBainzey Boy24 August 2009
I agree with the decision but i would rather have a game of table football!!!
Report as inappropriateDavyJim24 August 2009
i hate the puggies
Report as inappropriateDave Wilson24 August 2009
Pinball all the way. Its still very much alive with a larger following than you might expect. Managed to sneak 9 tables into the house past the missus - never mind one footy table!!
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JODSTER24 August 2009
Pinball all the way. Table football always ended up with my older brother cheating or beating me up. Couldn't cheat at pinball, just pull the knob and off you go!! How can anyone not agree with the gorgeous Suzie anyway.
Report as inappropriatejakem9024 August 2009
Table Football has got to be the better of the two. It can be played by all ages even 3 year olds and it is so simple. It is so much cheaper than decent pinball machines making it more accessible to everyone. Pinball is out of date and it has a lack if imagination factor. At least with table football you can imagine you are your favourite football team and play with your favourite players. For these reasons table football should be on the wall of fame.
Report as inappropriateNigel24 August 2009
The Gadget Show gets it right again - pinball is far superior to table football. I don't understand how table football could have even been selected to go head to head with a classic of gadgets and technology that pinball is.
Report as inappropriateBrian24 August 2009
Pinball died out in the uk over 10 years ago, its certainly no longer a pub game.
Report as inappropriateEddie 24 August 2009
Chant....Suzie, Suzie.....err I mean errr Pinball, pinball..... Pinball is fantastic game of skill and fun for players of all abilities. If you don't agree why not come along to one of the UK Pinball League meetings or UK pinball shows. They are the great fun. I like table footie as well but there is no comparison.. honest!
Report as inappropriatekeifer25 August 2009
i think that pinball is more of an icon, but i thnk table football is better and much more fun. =)
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Sam Sheldrake25 August 2009
Just want to say, that both pinball and table football deserve to be on the Wall of Fame, since they are equally enjoyable to play.
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UK-Table-Sports25 August 2009
Just wanted to say that football tables are by far the best. The 2 Garlando tables shown on the show looked fab.
Report as inappropriateollie25 August 2009
suzi and pinball win easily as pinball is so much funner and you can play it on your own but with some of your mates aswell but table footy needs atleast 2 people so suzi i tottally agree with you. you go girl!
Report as inappropriatepeter25 August 2009
i love table football but id have to vote for pinball as i would love to see suzie playing it with oneof her skirts that shoes of those legendary pins mmmmmm lovely thanks for suzie gagdet show
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peter25 August 2009
i love table football but id have to vote for pinball as i would love to see suzie playing it with oneof her skirts that shoes of those legendary pins mmmmmm lovely thanks for suzie gagdet show
Report as inappropriateMat25 August 2009
Gadgets!?
Report as inappropriateaaron merry25 August 2009
table football has been robbed and i think pinball is good but footy is so much better
Report as inappropriateAndrew25 August 2009
I think Suzi , has no soul when doing the wall of fame, bring ortis back!!
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cham0725 August 2009
I am sorry but there is no way pinball game will stand a chance over the table football(i just love it and I believed having destroyed quiet a few table in my career....).Both games became increasingly popular in bars and pubs but overtime,the winner of all is the Darts game!180! hehe :-)
Report as inappropriateBoris25 August 2009
Have enjoyed playing both, Table Football and Pinball, but would have to concur with Suzie. Given the choice I’d play the Pinball Machine. Maybe Mr Bentley is right, just call me Billy
Report as inappropriateBoris25 August 2009
Table footie all the way. Enjoyed pinball too back in the day but I've flown 5000 miles for a foosball tournament, wouldn't do that for pinball! A real game with a real ball against a real opponent in real time - that's foosball!!!!
Report as inappropriateTim26 August 2009
I enjoy both but I can play pinball for hours at a time. Table football is OK for 10 minutes.
Report as inappropriateBunny00926 August 2009
When I was little I absoluely loved pinball - I played it loads on my old computer and it fully deserves its place on the wall of fame! Although the football table is good (I actually thought that would win) Pinball was a new game whereas the football table was re-inacting a game!
Report as inappropriateJohn26 August 2009
Although pinball is not a bar game in the UK it has a huge internet following, as does table football (check out the British Foosball Association, and no that is not a typo). There is a museum to pinball in Ramsgate (do a google search) and you can get programmes for the PC that allow you to build your own virtual pinball games, classic tables as well as brand new ones. No Idea if I can plug, but search for Future Pinball -it's free to use, download etc. There are people out there who have taken huge plasma screens and made virtual pinball tables. Has it's time past? Well there are few if any tables in arcades as it's cheaper to have a slot/video game and these are usually smaller and more reliable - pinball being mechanical can break down. Still its fun to play and you can get a good score even if you don't really play very well.
Report as inappropriateDavid Flood29 August 2009
Suzi would usually get my vote but in this instance the result was plainly wrong. She used wizardry to influence the judge. I think she got the vote just to make her turn round :-)
Report as inappropriateelton16 September 2009
last time i voted there was 4 voted in it pinball was winning even tho i voted for table footy
Report as inappropriateSwin28 October 2009
Quite simple a good new table football will cost circa £650 ("Striker Professional "Aluminum"). A new pinball will cost circa £5000 ("24", Lord of The Rings etc etc). I think table football is for peasants and peons where as pinball is for people with a nice heated games room and space to spare. Pinballs are appreciating assets due the monopoly held by Stern at the moment. Great investment if you can get a really nice one
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