Episode 43 - MEGALOCATIONS!
Podcast
Wedgehead Pinball Podcast
1 hr 1 min
Summary
Mega locations (100+ game venues) are reshaping pinball accessibility and community engagement across the US and globally.
Alan and Alex from Wedgehead Pinball Podcast discuss the rise of "mega locations": public pinball venues with 100+ games under one roof. They define the phenomenon, explain why it matters for pinball accessibility and local scenes, and review specific locations they've visited (Past Times in Ohio, Next Level in Oregon, and Wizards World in Indiana), highlighting how these destinations drive tourism and preserve rare games.
Highlights
- There are approximately 18 mega locations (100+ games) globally: 14 in the US, 3 in Europe, 1 in Japan
- Pastimes in Girard, Ohio is the largest single location with 393 pinball machines plus other arcade games
- Next Level in Hillsborough, Oregon has 308 pinball machines plus 300 video games
- Wizards World (Fort Wayne Pinball) in Fort Wayne, Indiana features solid state games with exceptionally tight setup
- Next Level has won the Twippy award for best pinball location in the world for approximately 4+ consecutive years
- Most mega locations are in suburbs or warehouse districts due to space and real estate cost requirements
- Many mega locations legally designate themselves as 'museums' to navigate local zoning/legislation restrictions
- Pastimes is owned/operated by Rob Berk, organizer of Pinball Expo, and has been open about one year with 40th anniversary of Pinball Expo upcoming
- Semi-private mega locations like District 82 (Wisconsin) and Clay's VFW (Ann Arbor) are open only 1-2 times per month/year, making them less accessible
- Mega locations attract tourism and drive secondary economic activity in local pinball scenes
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