Arcade News Digest - February 6, 2026
Published
VPcabs released Ultra VP 3.0 with over 1,300 tables and the latest VPX 10.8 emulator—they're committing to annual software updates. Zen Studios is expected to release long-awaited Williams pinball tables for Pinball M in early 2026. The IFPA announced that opt-outs will no longer be allowed for sanctioned pinball events starting March 1, 2026.
Ultra VP 3.0 Releases with 1,300+ Tables and VPX 10.8
VPcabs released Ultra VP 3.0 featuring over 1,300 tables and 300+ VR tables, packaged with the latest VPX 10.8 emulator. VPcabs has committed to providing annual software updates, addressing one of the biggest pain points in commercial virtual pinball.
Pre-configured software packages like Ultra VP solve the nightmare of setting up VPX yourself. 1,300 tables means virtually every recreation you'd want is ready to play. The annual update commitment is significant—VPX releases often break table compatibility, and VPcabs is taking on that burden. For DIY cabinet builders, this is worth the premium if your time is valuable.
💡What this means for you
VPX 10.8 includes physics improvements, lighting updates, and VR optimizations. 1,300+ includes recreations spanning EM-era through modern Stern. 300 VR tables support headset play. Package targets Windows 10/11 with DirectX 12.
Market Position: Ultra VP competes with Pinball FX, Visual Pinball standalone installs, and other commercial packages. Differentiator is the all-in-one curated experience vs. DIY configuration.
- Hardware requirements for 1,300 tables (storage, GPU)
- Whether updates are included or subscription-based
- Table licensing status (recreations vs. official)
⏸️ Wait if: You enjoy tinkering with VPX setup yourself, You only play a dozen favorite tables
✅ Buy if: You want plug-and-play virtual pinball, Your time is worth more than the software premium
Zen Studios Teasing Williams Tables for Pinball M
Zen Studios is expected to release new Williams pinball tables for Pinball M in early 2026. These tables have reportedly been in development for an extended period, suggesting high-quality recreations of classic Williams/Bally titles are incoming.
Williams tables are the crown jewels of pinball—Medieval Madness, Attack from Mars, The Addams Family. Zen's Pinball FX already has some Williams licenses, so Pinball M additions expand the catalog further. The 'extended development' framing suggests physics and details matching the originals more closely than earlier Zen efforts. If you own a VR headset, Pinball M's VR mode is the closest to real pinball without the machine.
💡What this means for you
Pinball M runs on Unity with improved physics engine over Pinball FX. Williams license covers Bally, Williams Bally, and WMS titles. VR support across Meta Quest, Valve Index, and other headsets.
Market Position: Zen dominates licensed digital pinball. Competition is VPX community recreations, which are free but require setup. Zen's advantage is polish, VR support, and official licensing.
- Which specific Williams tables are included
- Whether existing Pinball FX Williams owners get discounts
- Physics accuracy compared to VPX recreations
IFPA Bans Opt-Outs for Sanctioned Events Starting March 2026
The International Flipper Pinball Association (IFPA) announced that 'opt-outs' will no longer be allowed for sanctioned events effective March 1, 2026. The policy aims to maintain competitive integrity and accurate result reporting across the sanctioned tournament system.
Opt-outs let players exclude certain tournament results from their IFPA ranking. This was exploited by some to inflate rankings—play risky events and opt-out if you bomb, keep results if you win. The ban closes that loophole. For tournament players: every sanctioned game now counts. Choose your events wisely and practice before entering if rankings matter to you.
💡What this means for you
IFPA world rankings determine tournament seeding, World Championship invites, and state/country rankings. Opt-outs previously allowed excluding specific events from personal rankings.
Market Position: IFPA is the governing body for competitive pinball worldwide. Policy changes affect thousands of ranked players and tournament organizers.
- How existing opted-out events are handled retroactively
- Exception process for extenuating circumstances
- Impact on casual event attendance
Nudging Technology Debate: PinOne vs. Pinscape vs. Dudeboards
Virtual pinball community discussions highlight ongoing interest in optimal nudging solutions for cabinet builds going into 2026. Popular options include PinOne, Pinscape Jr. kits, and Dudeboards, each with tradeoffs in sensitivity, configuration complexity, and cost.
Nudging is what separates immersive virtual pinball from playing on a screen. For DIY builders, the choice depends on your comfort level: Pinscape is open-source and infinitely configurable but complex. PinOne and Dudeboards offer plug-and-play simplicity at higher cost. If you're building in 2026, start with community-recommended settings for your chosen solution—tuning nudge sensitivity is an endless rabbit hole otherwise.
💡What this means for you
Pinscape uses KL25Z microcontroller with accelerometer, supports analog nudging. PinOne offers higher sensitivity with simplified setup. Dudeboards provides commercial-grade solution with premium build quality. All output to VPX via DirectInput or XInput protocols.
Market Position: Community split between DIY (Pinscape) and commercial (PinOne/Dudeboards). Budget builders gravitate to Pinscape; time-constrained builders pay for integration.
- 2026 hardware improvements from any manufacturer
- Whether Pinscape 2.0 hardware addresses complexity complaints
- Integration with wireless cabinet builds
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the best nudging solution for virtual pinball in 2026?▼
It depends on your priorities. Pinscape offers the most control and lowest cost but requires technical setup. PinOne provides excellent sensitivity with simpler installation. Dudeboards delivers commercial-grade quality at premium pricing. For first-time builders, PinOne or Dudeboards reduce headaches; for tinkerers, Pinscape is unmatched.
Is Ultra VP 3.0 worth it vs. free VPX setup?▼
If you value your time, yes. Setting up VPX, configuring tables, and managing updates takes countless hours. Ultra VP provides 1,300+ tables ready to play with annual updates. The premium buys convenience. For those who enjoy the setup process, free VPX remains viable but time-intensive.
Will the IFPA opt-out ban affect casual players?▼
Minimally. Opt-outs primarily affected competitive players managing their rankings. Casual players attending local events rarely used opt-outs. The main impact: every sanctioned event now contributes to your ranking, encouraging more thoughtful event selection rather than casual drop-ins at high-level events.