PODCAST · leisure
Wedgehead Pinball Podcast
by Wedgehead
A biweekly pinball podcast brought to you by the people that run Wedgehead, a pinball bar in Portland, Oregon. Each week Alan and Alex discuss a different pinball topic, with a focus on location play, often with other interesting guests. Support our show: https://ko-fi.com/wedgeheadpodcast If you have any questions, or might want to guest on a future episode, please email : [email protected].
Episodes
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Episode 129 - Best Game Ever: EIGHT BALL DELUXE
Support the show & receive a link to our private discord server: ko-fi.com/wedgeheadpodcast No ramps, no ball saves, no bullshit on this one. In this episode our buddy Ty Palmer comes back on the show to tell us why Eight Ball Deluxe is the best game ever. Standard swearbear warning here, there…
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Episode 128 - Bally vs. Stern: The Definitive Answer
Support the show & receive a link to the private discord: ko-fi.com/wedgeheadpodcast Alright, in this episode we are joined once again by our good buddy Ty Palmer and jump right into the fire to try and determine the definitive answer to the age old question: Bally vs. Stern Electronics, which…
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Episode 127 - The Music of Dan Forden w/ Dan Forden
Support the show and get a link to our private discord: ko-fi.com/wedgeheadpodcast In this second episode with legendary pinball sound designer Dan Forden, we actually go through his career and listen to the music that he composed and created for many well known and iconic pinball machines. This…
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Episode 126 - Pinball Composer II w/ Dan Forden
Support the show and receive a link to our private discord: ko-fi.com/wedgeheadpodcast In this episode I speak with Dan Forden, another legend of both the videogame and pinball industry. Whilst undoubtably known best for the Motral Kombat video game series, he also worked on a ton of pinball...
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Episode 125 - Reverse Wedgeheads
Support the show and receive a link to the private discord: ko-fi.com/wedgeheadpodcast On this episode of the show we are joined by an old school pinball collector and international man of mystery, Tom Rader, who came onto the show to discuss his favorite pinball era of all time: Williams single...
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Episode 124 - Best Game Ever: BRAM STOKER'S DRACULA
Help support the show and receive a link to our private discord server: ko-fi.com/wedgeheadpodcast Alex is doing a second best game episode for best game ever since apparently, he's confused about the definition of "best game ever" actually means... In this episode we discuss the 1993 Williams...
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Episode 123 - The Physical Game
Support the show and receive access to our discord server: ko-fi.com/wedgeheadpodcast In this episode we explore the role that physical layout and shot geometry has on the overall feel of a pinball machine. We discuss the classic spectrum of two genius designers who operated largely on opposite...
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Episode 122 - Die on This Hill: Cue Ball Wizard
Support the show and receive a link to the private discord: ko-fi.com/wedgeheadpodcast Local legend Cory Butcher joins us on the show to defend his love for the 1992 Gottlieb game, Cue Ball Wizard. On paper this game sold well, and earned well back in the day, but for some reason it hasn't aged…
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Bonus Episode - Best Game Ever: BLACK KNIGHT SWORD OF RAGE
Support the show and receive a link to our private discord server: ko-fi.com/wedgeheadpodcast Seattle pinball player and creator of the kickass pinball ratings website, pinballranker.com brings us all his episode that he wrote and recorded all about what he believes to be "The Best Game Ever"...
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Episode 121 - Barry Oursler: Pinball's Rollercoaster Man
Support the show and receive a link to our private discord server: ko-fi.com/wedgeheadpodcast In this episode we dive deep into the pinball career of one of pinball's most successful designers. Barry designed over 30 pinball machines in the solid state era, sold obscene amounts of his designs,...
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Episode 120 - Pinball Economics 102
Support the show and receive a link to our private discord server: ko-fi.com/wedgeheadpodcast It took me awhile, but the second episode of my pinball economics series is finally here, and I am exploring the concept of "value" as it pertains to the business of pinball operating. It all starts…
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Episode 119 - Pinball Ranker
Help support the show and receive a link to our private discord community: ko-fi.com/wedgeheadpodcast We are joined by longtime supporter of the bar and podcast, Conor Wilson who created an awesome new website to make ranking your favorite pinball machines that makes it simple, easy, and fun to…
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Episode 118 - Pinball Hindsight Awards 1995
Support the show and receive a link to our private discord server: ko-fi.com/wedgeheadpodcast We are back and celebrating the best games in all categories and handing out awards for the best pinball machines of 1995! Warning: Adult Language is used. Support the show
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Episode 117 - The UNDISPUTED Top Ten Games of All Time List
Support the show & get a link to our private discord channel: ko-fi.com/wedgeheadpodcast In this episode Alex went into the lab and locked himself away to run the tests and to finally come up with the “Top Ten Games of All Time: No Opinions, Just Facts” list and that's what we're sharing with you...
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Bonus Episode - Best Game Ever: ADDAMS FAMILY
Support the show and receive your link to the private discord: ko-fi.com/wedgeheadpodcast Bonus Episode of the show coming at you featuring two local portland players and friends who met through the discord for this show, Rob and Miggy! They recorded this episode to tell everybody why they love…
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Episode 116 - Pokémon
Support the show and receive a link to our private discord server: ko-fi.com/wedgeheadpodcast There's something very different about Stern's latest game, and for really the first time ever on the show, we're breaking from our normal format and covering a brand-new game from the location player…
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Episode 115 - The Age of Desperation and Innovation: Gottlieb System 80A
Support the show and receive a link to our private discord: ko-fi.com/wedgeheadpodcast In this episode we cover the 20 machines that Gottlieb made from 1982-1985 and discuss all the weird, strange, wacky, and good games and innovative designs that they churned out during the doldrum years of the...
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Episode 114 - Die on this Hill: Austin Powers
Support the show and get a link to our private discord: ko-fi.com/wedgeheadpodcast Our friend Lisa, a pinball tech at Next Level comes on the show to defend her love for Stern's Austin Powers machine from 2001, and makes sure to state clearly that she does NOT like the movies at all. We read all...
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Episode 113 - Best Game Ever: WHITEWATER
Support the show and receive a link to our private discord: ko-fi.com/wedgeheadpodcast In this episode Alan sets the record straight on the true greatest game of all time, Dennis Nordman's masterpiece, 1993's Whitewater made by Williams. Listen to us discuss why Whitewater not only excels in all...
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Episode 112 - Electromechanical Designer Crash Course
Support the show and receive a link to our private discord: ko-fi.com/wedgeheadpodcast In this episode we discuss 6 names from the EM era that you should be aware of, two from each of the Big Three of Williams, Bally and Gottlieb. This episode really is a love letter to EM machines, and all the...
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Episode 111 - The State of Modern Operating
Support the show and receive a link to the private discord channel: ko-fi.com/wedgeheadpodcast 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…
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Episode 110 - SEGA Pinball
Support the show and receive a link to our private discord channel: ko-fi.com/wedgeheadpodcast 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...
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Episode 109 - A Casual Look Back at 2025 w/ Megan the Watergirl
Support the show and grab a link to our private discord: ko-fi.com/wedgeheadpodcast 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...
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Episode 108 - Center Ramps
Support the show and get access to our private discord: ko-fi.com/wedgeheadpodcast 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...
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Episode 107 - Holiday Special
Support the show and get access to our private discord server: ko-fi.com/wedgeheadpodcast 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...
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Episode 106 - Ballsaves: Pinball's Biggest Mistake!
Support the show and receive a link to our private discord server: ko-fi.com/wedgeheadpodcast 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...
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Bonus Episode - Best Game Ever: JAWS
Support the show, and join our discord by donating to: ko-fi.com/wedgeheadpodcast 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...
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Episode 105 - Pinball Hindsight Awards 1991
Support the show and receive a link to our private discord automatically: ko-fi.com/wedgeheadpodcast 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...
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Episode 104 - John Borg: The Man Who Doesn't F*&k Around
Support the show and get access to our private discord: ko-fi.com/wedgeheadpodcast 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…
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Episode 103 - Die on this Hill: Shaq Attaq
Support the show and get a link to our private discord channel: ko-fi.com/wedgeheadpodcast 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...
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Episode 102 - Community Building
Support the show and get a link to our private discord server: ko-fi.com/wedgeheadpodcast We're back with a nice culmination episode that pieces together a lot of bits and themes from the last 100+ episodes of the show, and compiled them into a nice and tight episode not only showcasing the...
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Episode 101 - Best Game Ever: NASCAR
Support the show and get a link to our private discord: ko-fi.com/wedgeheadpodcast Waterboy is back with his own response to the age-old question: what is the greatest pinball machine of all time? As always with our show, swear words were used in the making of this episode. Support the show
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REDACTED Episode
Well... unfortunately sh*t happens. We will be back though, although we don't know if we will ever get to release episode 100 for y'all or not. It was a DOOZIE. Support the show
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Episode 99 - Much Ado About Toppers
Support the show and receive a link to the private discord chat: ko-fi.com/wedgeheadpodcast Alex is bringing y'all a very special episode of the show all about one of the dumbest and yet most discussed aspects of the pinball hobby today, and that's TOPPERS! Warning: curse words were cursed in the...
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Episode 98 - Evolution of the Flipper
Support the show & receive a link to our private discord server: ko-fi.com/wedgeheadpodcast This episode is all about the pinball's most important mech, the flipper. We cover the history and evolution of the flipper, discuss how they work, and the differences in flipper feel over the years....
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Episode 97 - The Music of Chris Granner w/ Chris Granner
Support the show & receive a link to our private discord channel to chat with us and other supporters of the show: ko-fi.com/wedgeheadpodcast In this very special episode of the show, legendary sound designer Chris Granner joins us once again. In the last episode we discussed his career, and his...
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Episode 96 - Pinball Composer w/ Chris Granner
Support the show & receive a link to the private discord: ko-fi.com/wedgeheadpodcast A very special interview with LEGENDARY pinball composer and sound designer Chris Granner. Chris worked at Williams, Capcom, and Stern and his name is credited on the sound packages of more than 40 pinball…
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Episode 95 - Playfield Multipliers
Support the show and receive a link to the private discord: ko-fi.com/wedgeheadpodcast In this episode we talk about the invasive species of multipliers that have invaded the old school bonus multipliers habitat and completely overrun it. Alan discusses why he thinks all games are better without...
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Episode 94 - Pinball Hindsight Awards 1985
Support the show & receive a link to the private discord chat: ko-fi.com/wedgeheadpodcast We're back to honor another year in pinball history, with the Pinball Hindsight Awards of 1985! This was a major downturn of the industry, but that doesn't mean that there still aren't some great games...
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Episode 93 - John Popadiuk: Pinball's Magic Man
Support the show & receive a link to the private discord channel: ko-fi.com/wedgeheadpodcast This episode is all about the rise and fall of one of pinball's most magnificent and enigmatic designers, Mr. John Popadiuk Jr., sometimes better known as JPOP in pinball nerd circles. He made a string of...
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Episode 92 - Programmers: The Unsung Heroes of Pinball
Support the show and receive a link to our private discord channel: ko-fi.com/wedgeheadpodcast Join us as we discuss with frequent guest on the show Greg Dunlap to discuss the important role that programmers play in the design and development of pinball machines as we talk about all the many...
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Episode 91 - Stern's Dark Age: Pinball in the 2000s
Support the show & get a link to our private discord server: ko-fi.com/wedgeheadpodcast This episode features former guest on the show, and dot matrix pinball programmer Greg Dunlap to discuss how Gary Stern ends up surviving TWO pinball extinction events at the turn of the millennium, and then...
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Episode 90 - Pinball Hindsight Awards 1990
Support the show & get a link to our private discord channel: ko-fi.com/wedgeheadpodcast This is the first ever award show that attempts to get the calls right, all with the power of HINDSIGHT. So, for this first Pinball Hindsight Awards Episode, we chose the year 1990, and are giving out the…
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Episode 89 - Die on this Hill: Star Wars Episode One
Support the show and receive a link to our private discord server: ko-fi.com/wedgeheadpodcast This episode Alan & Alex are joined on the show to discuss the short-lived Pinball 2000 platform, and Ian defends SWE1, the last game that Williams pinball ever made against a flood of bad reviews. I...
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Episode 88 - Pinball on Location
Support the show and get a link to the private dischord channel: ko-fi.com/wedgeheadpodcast This episode is all about why pinball's natural habitat is on location, and why location pinball still matters (and matters much more than private collections) in the year 2025 and beyond. Our whole…
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Episode 87 - Pinball is Supposed to be HARD!
Support the show and receive a link to our private discord channel: ko-fi.com/wedgeheadpodcast This episode is all about the joys and fun that a hard game of pinball brings. For whatever reason this seems to be a minority opinion in the modern era, even though we set out to prove that pinball was...
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Episode 86 - Pinball Economics 101
Support the show & receive a link to the private discord channel: ko-fi.com/wedgeheadpodcast This episode has been teased multiple times over the run of the show, and is a solo episode based upon what I started out writing as a short article about the business of location pinball, the economics…
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Episode 85 - Die on this Hill: Future Spa
Support the show & get a link to our private discord channel: ko-fi.com/wedgeheadpodcast Good friend of the show and all-around expert solid state assassin, Ty Palmer joins us on the show once again for his SIXTH appearance to defend his DOTH game, 1979's Future Spa. Designed by George Christian...
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Episode 84 - The Bally Table King: George Christian
Support the show & receive a link to the private discord channel: ko-fi.com/wedgeheadpodcast This episode is all about the mystery and mystique surrounding Bally's best game designer from their early solid state golden era, previously covered in our Susan B. Anthony Years episode. And just like...
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Episode 83 - Soft Licenses
Support the show and get a link to the private discord channel: ko-fi.com/wedgeheadpodcast This episode we discuss Stern pinball's interesting way of approaching certain licensed games that they make, including their recent games Dungeons & Dragons and King Kong, before we dive into the…
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
A biweekly pinball podcast brought to you by the people that run Wedgehead, a pinball bar in Portland, Oregon. Each week Alan and Alex discuss a different pinball topic, with a focus on location play, often with other interesting guests.
Support our show: https://ko-fi.com/wedgeheadpodcast
If you have any questions, or might want to guest on a future episode, please email : [email protected].
HOSTED BY
Wedgehead
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does Wedgehead Pinball Podcast have?
Wedgehead Pinball Podcast currently has 131 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is Wedgehead Pinball Podcast about?
A biweekly pinball podcast brought to you by the people that run Wedgehead, a pinball bar in Portland, Oregon. Each week Alan and Alex discuss a different pinball topic, with a focus on location play, often with other interesting guests. Support our show: https://ko-fi.com/wedgeheadpodcast If you...
How often does Wedgehead Pinball Podcast release new episodes?
Wedgehead Pinball Podcast publishes regularly with 131 episodes available. Check the episode list for the typical release schedule.
Where can I listen to Wedgehead Pinball Podcast?
You can listen to Wedgehead Pinball Podcast on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts Wedgehead Pinball Podcast?
Wedgehead Pinball Podcast is created and hosted by Wedgehead.
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