Arcade & Virtual Pinball Digest - January 30, 2026
Published
This week in arcade: Arcade1Up's Williams Pinball collection brings classics like Medieval Madness and Attack from Mars home. AtGames Legends Pinball offers competition with larger screens and open modding. VPX community releases continue strong. Plus: Tips for choosing between commercial and DIY virtual pinball builds.
Arcade1Up Williams Pinball Collection Features Classic Tables
Arcade1Up's Williams Pinball lineup includes 10 classic Bally/Williams tables including Medieval Madness, Attack from Mars, The Getaway: High Speed II, and Junkyard. Features include haptic feedback, 23.8" playfield LCD, and adjustable metal legs.
If you want authentic Williams/Bally classics without the $8,000+ cost of physical machines, Arcade1Up offers a reasonable middle ground. The haptic feedback adds physicality that pure software simulations lack.
AtGames Legends Pinball vs Arcade1Up Comparison Trends
Head-to-head comparisons between AtGames Legends Pinball and Arcade1Up continue to trend. AtGames offers larger screens and more open modding capabilities, while Arcade1Up provides tighter integration with licensed tables.
The choice depends on your goals: Arcade1Up for plug-and-play with specific licensed tables, AtGames for larger screens and mod potential. If you plan to add custom tables via VPX, AtGames' open architecture has advantages.
VPX Community Continues Strong Table Releases
The VPX (Visual Pinball X) community remains active with high-quality table recreations and original designs. The open-source platform continues to be the gold standard for DIY virtual pinball cabinet builders.
If you're building a custom virtual pinball cabinet, VPX offers the deepest library of tables - thousands of recreations and originals. The learning curve is real, but the community support makes it manageable.
Commercial vs DIY Virtual Pinball: Making the Choice
The decision between commercial solutions (Arcade1Up, AtGames) and full DIY builds comes down to budget, time, and goals. Commercial units start around $600-800, while quality DIY builds typically range $2,000-5,000 but offer unlimited customization.
Budget $600-800: Commercial units are hard to beat. Budget $2,000+: DIY offers better long-term value with VPX, larger screens, and real solenoid feedback. The middle ground often disappoints - commit to one approach.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best pre-built virtual pinball machine?▼
Arcade1Up and AtGames Legends Pinball are the two main commercial options. Arcade1Up excels at licensed Williams/Bally tables, while AtGames offers larger screens and easier modding for custom content.
How much does a DIY virtual pinball cabinet cost?▼
Quality DIY builds typically range from $2,000-5,000 depending on components. This includes PC hardware, playfield monitor, backbox display, buttons, and optionally solenoid feedback and force feedback.
What software do DIY virtual pinball cabinets use?▼
VPX (Visual Pinball X) is the gold standard for DIY builds, offering thousands of table recreations. Future Pinball and Pinball FX are also popular options with different trade-offs.