If you’ve never been to the Texas Pinball Festival in Frisco, Texas,
you’re seriously missing out on one of the most electric, nostalgia-packed
events in the state. Held this year from March 21–23, the festival once again
transformed the Embassy Suites Convention Center into a buzzing, blinking
wonderland of classic and modern pinball machines and arcade cabinets—and yes,
I was there, camera in hand.
If you want a full look at what this amazing event has to offer, I’ve got
two walkthrough videos I highly recommend checking out. One focuses entirely on
the arcade games, featuring everything from rare oddities to fan-favorite
coin-ops. The other is a deep dive into the pinball lineup, showing off just
how many machines you can actually play at the show—no quarters needed.
This year’s festival was packed wall to wall with pinball greatness. Among
the many standouts were Star Trek, Star Wars, KISS, Mr.
& Mrs. Pac-Man, Street Fighter II, and Super Mario Bros.—I
love video game-themed pins. The lights, sounds, and gameplay brought these
iconic licenses to life in ways that only pinball can. And that was just the
classics! They also had some fantastic modern tables like X-Men, Elton
John, and Dungeons & Dragons: The Tyrant’s Eye, which drew
massive crowds and proved that the art of pinball is still very much alive.
But it wasn’t just about flippers and multiballs. The coin-op arcade
selection this year was extremely interesting, including several machines I had
never seen in person before. One of the highlights for me was stumbling upon a
machine that holds a special place in my heart—the very first arcade video game
I ever played. Sure, it got crowded at times, especially Saturday afternoon,
but this just shows how popular pinball has gotten in recent years.
Whether you’re a die-hard pinball wizard, a retro arcade fan, or just
someone looking for a blast of nostalgia, the Texas Pinball Festival delivers.
And for those who couldn’t make it this year, my walkthrough videos will give
you the next best thing. It’s an experience I look forward to every year—and if
you love classic gaming, you owe it to yourself to check it out.
