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    Virtual Pinball Machine

    Full-size virtual pinball with a 43" playfield display, backglass monitor, real plunger, and solenoid-driven feedback.

    Built by Dave
    Playfield
    43" 4K TV (vertical)
    Backglass
    27" 1080p monitor
    DMD
    Dedicated DMD display
    Tables
    200+
    Feedback
    10 solenoids + 2 contactors
    Build Time
    6 months

    The Vision

    I wanted a virtual pinball cabinet that felt indistinguishable from the real thing. Not just visually — I wanted the weight, the sounds, and most importantly, the feel of a real machine. That meant solenoids, a real plunger, and nudge detection.

    Cabinet Construction

    The cabinet is modeled after a Williams widebody. I used 3/4" birch plywood for the body and poplar for the legs. Total dimensions match a real WPC-era machine, so it sits at the correct height and has the right proportions.

    Key specs:

  1. Playfield area: — 43" 4K TV mounted vertically at a 6.5° angle
  2. Backglass: — 27" monitor in the head unit
  3. DMD: — Dedicated small display for dot-matrix scores
  4. Lockbar: — Real Williams lockbar with coin reject buttons

    5. Haptic Feedback System

    This is what separates a good virtual pin from a great one. I installed:

  5. 6 solenoids — under the playfield for bumper and slingshot feedback
  6. 2 large contactors — for flipper thunk
  7. 2 gear motors — for shaker effects during multiballs
  8. 1 knocker — mounted in the head for replays and specials

    9. Everything is driven by a Pinscape controller board with DOF (Direct Output Framework) integration.

    Software

  9. Visual Pinball X (VPX) — primary simulation engine
  10. Future Pinball — for certain exclusive tables
  11. PinUp Popper — frontend with video previews
  12. DOF — maps game events to physical feedback devices

    13. Favorite Tables

    1. Medieval Madness

    2. The Addams Family

    3. Attack from Mars

    4. Twilight Zone

    5. Monster Bash

    The Experience

    Walking up to this machine and pulling the plunger is magic. The solenoids fire, the ball rolls, and for a moment you forget it's virtual. That's the whole point. Guests always do a double-take when they realize there's no physical ball.

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