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AJ of Flip a Coin in Colorado is back to discuss the current affairs of operating brand new pinball machines in the year 2026 and beyond. AJ buys lots of new games from Stern, Barrels of Fun, JJP, and CGC and he's here to cut through all the marketing talk and just discuss the business side of buying NIB games and trying to make money with them on route.

As always though, we might swear a bit throughout...

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This episode we explore the period from 1995-1999 when Gary Stern successfully convinced another Japanese arcade game manufacturer to partner with him and rebrand from Data East to Sega for the North American coin-op pinball market.

These games are mostly pretty low production run games, with some clear cost cutting measures in place, and the art packages are pretty uneven too. Many pinheads haven't seen or played these games very much, if at all, but they still seem to get a bad rap in general if they have.  But Alex and Alan explore why these games are generally pretty fun, and they cover them all in this episode.

But as usual, adult language is used in this episode, as in all other episodes.

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In this episode we are joined on the show by veteran pinball machine mover, casual on location pinball player, and Alex's wife, Megan aka the Watergirl and she is here to give her thoughts on all the 2025 pinball releases from her unique perspective as a non-nerd, and non middle-aged man.

Hear about how the average pinball player views all these games, the results are guaranteed to surprise you.  But as usual, we do swear in the episode...this is your warning.

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This whole episode is Alex trying to describe to the listener why there has never been a good center ramp in a pinball machine, and even the ones that you think are good, aren't actually center ramps (according to him).

As always when discussing niche nerd topics, we speak fluent profanity in the episode.

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For the first and probably only time, we bring you the Wedgehead Podcast Holiday Special! So, grab a cup of hot cocoa, and listen to us as we run down the best holiday games from pinball's past, what to buy for the pinhead in your life, and a good reminder of what this season is really all about: PINBALL!

Warning: We were in the holiday spirit, and the holiday spirit swears sometimes.

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This week's episode has us exploring the history of the ball save in pinball, why it has grown bigger over time, and whether or not it was actually all a big mistake.

But we do curse throughout the show...this is your warning.

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Former guest of the show, and video game designer Paul Michael Melio gave us this bonus episode to share on our channel with the first edition of BEST GAME EVER!

Hear about why Jaws is Paul's favorite game of all time, and maybe why it should be yours as well.

Warning: We must've rubbed off on Paul, because he does curse while he describes his love for Jaws, you have been warned.

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We are back once again, looking back through the decades with the mighty power of Hindsight to accurately give out awards to the best pinball machines that were released in the year 1991!

Unlike network tv awards shows, we do however use occasional adult language. 

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We are discussing the pinball career of legendary pinball designer and mechanical engineer, John Borg.  He worked at Premier, Data East, Sega, and still works at Stern to this day, and we deep dive into his games and what design hallmarks that he is best known for.

As always though, just like John, we don't f*&k around on this show. Curse words are present. 

Career Retrospective Seminar Expo 2024

TOPcast Interview 2008

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Our friend Paul, a video game designer and aspiring pinball designer joins us on the show to defend his DOTH Game: SHAQ ATTAQ! At the time of recording, this is the 8th lowest rated game of all time on the pinside list, and the second lowest rated game that we have covered on the show.

But Paul joined us to set the record straight (with some choice swear words)!

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