The Pinball Museum
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No coin slots. No rules etched in stone. Just lights, sound, nostalgia, and the constant yet ever-changing sound of silver balls pinging against machinery. Once you walk through the doors, it's easy to become captivated by the clicking-clacking symphony of the machines, or wonder about the elusive multiball frenzy. Flip, focus, miss, try again, repeat... eyes glued on the treasured silver ball. A spin through the pastBefore flippers, pinball was a glorified game of chance, much closer to roulette than the skill-based game we know today. That moment, when we went from watching the ball fly to subtly controlling its movement, sparked the golden age of pinball. It took a minute to get there. The first coin-operated machine, known as the Bally Hoo, made its debut in 1931. Electricity was added to the machines just a few years later in 1934, along with new sounds like buzzers and bells. Flippers weren’t introduced until 1947. The machines have continued to evolve over the years but remain a timeless source of entertainment. The Pinball MuseumFounded in 2019, The Pinball Museum in Garden City is a collective of vintage pinball machines and purpose-driven people with a passion for understanding the science, art, and history behind mechanical gaming. No matter how you play, or how skilled you become, that ball is always going to end up in the same place, anticipating your next attempt at a new high score. That’s the beauty of embracing every flip, turn, bounce, and ricochet as the mechanical frenzy of the inevitable. Even if you think pinball is just about pushing buttons and praying, The Pinball Museum’s impressive lineup of over 70 machines will take you by surprise. Here’s a list of some standouts in their collection:
Many of the machines came from pinball conventions or were donated, while others were rescued in the wild. One particular machine was retrieved from a dusty corner of a barn, guarded by a crew of territorial chickens! For more detailed information and images of these machines, you can visit the Idaho Pinball Museum's Game Details page. Match playThe real thrill of pinball lies in the tournament scene, and The Pinball Museum keeps the spirit of the multiball alive every Thursday from 6-9pm. There is no tournament this Thursday, but the calendar is filling up later this month with the next tournament on May 31st. Sign-ups are not required. There is a $10 admission fee. For more information, call (208) 99-MEOWS! There will also be three tournaments back-to-back starting at 1:30pm on June 15th. Doors open at 1pm. The best game qualification is happening from 10am-2pm with results at 3pm. The three types of games:
Women’s Division meet-ups are on the first Sunday of every month. Doors open at 1pm. There’s an optional IFPA Women’s Division tournament at 1:30pm. This is an official Belles & Chimes Chapter with monthly themes, prizes, and more. Admission is $10. IFPA endorsement fee is $1. The next Belles & Chimes Meetup will be on June 5th from 1-4pm and the theme is red, white, and blue! There will be six rounds of match play. From pinball wizard to amateur flipper, all ages and experience levels are welcome to play. No quarters neededHere’s a complete list of the 70+ machines you can find at The Idaho Pinball Museum:
You can find the full database with pictures here. The museum is located at 1104 N Cole Rd, in Boise. Admission is $10 for ages 2 and up. They are open for tournaments on Thursdays from 6-9pm and will be open to the public soon! Want to stay on top of upcoming tournaments, special theme nights, and machine arrivals? Follow The Pinball Museum on Instagram and Facebook for regular updates. The Idaho Pinball Museum is a nonprofit 501(c)(3). Missed a spot?Here’s a few other places you can find pinball machines in Boise:
Game on, happy flipping!! With love from Boise, Carly
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From Boise
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