I have to admit to being one of those rare folks who never really went for pinball. I tend to play the machines when I find them, simply because they are more exotic than videogames, but not much fun. The damn ball always goes down the middle or somewhere I can't do anything about it; it seems more random than skill (though I of course know you can develop techniques, "tilting," and so on). I got really enthused about it after I became a Who fan, but that wore off. I guess I find the electromechanical stuff interesting from an engineering/historical perspective, but am quite happy with fully digital/virtual games. Conversely, there's part of me that says, if you're going to play pinball, play the real thing.

That said, I did enjoy the amiga pinball games quite a bit, simply because the audiovisual quality was so awesome. I remember Pinball Dreams or Fantasies, but I played an earlier one--can't remember the title of it now. I played Night Mission a bit on the C-64, but never got into the construction sets and what-not.

It seems funny how many of the things Shane was interested in seem to have touched a chord with his many listeners. I know he waxed on and on about pinball machines and even had a few shows dedicated to them. I'm a bit dubious about whether people who liked the show who became Robotron or Zoo Keeper fans, etc. Kinda makes me wonder if they really liked those things or just liked them because Shane thought they were cool. I know I don't give a hoot about any of those games--but agree with him on most of his Amiga/Commodore 64 favorites.