Pinball Maps - which one's best? (2024)

I'm only just getting into pinball and I've been looking for places nearby to play. So far I've come across three different pinball maps:

Pinball Map (https://pinballmap.com/uk)
Pinside Map (https://pinside.com/pinball/map)
Pinformer Map (http://pinformer.co.uk/)

Is there a general consensus on which of these is best/most accurate? I'm going to a place in Preston today which only appears on on the Pinformer map, which would lead me to think that's the most up-to-date one, but there are also venues on there that I know have closed down so I'm not sure. I'll update them with the Preston one this afternoon once I've visited and know what machines they have but just wondered if I should bother updating all three, or is there one that's preferred by everyone on here?

Pinside is US based so never use that. I've always used Pinformer, none of them are great TBH.

Always check before you go as these don't get updated much and the pin may not be there or even the location closed. My old bar with TAF is still on Pinformer (marked as closed) but should be removed really as it closed 5 years ago.

Tucks said:

Pinside is US based so never use that. I've always used Pinformer, none of them are great TBH.

Always check before you go as these don't get updated much and the pin may not be there or even the location closed. My old bar with TAF is still on Pinformer (marked as closed) but should be removed really as it closed 5 years ago.

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I do find Pinside to be the nicest looking and easiest to use - plus its handy because it covers Europe too - but yeah, Pinformer seems the most accurate I suppose, despite some being outdated.

Just realised the Stern IC app shows nearby connected machines which is good, except it only covers those particular machines. Looking at that it looks like the place near me has Avengers: IQ, Foo Fighters, James Bond 007, Rush and TMNT - and I'm guessing that's up to date since they're connected somehow.

You could join the Northern Pinball League. The new season starts 7th January. Players range from high competition standard to casual. Some are in it to win it and others there a much for the social aspect.

Cooper said:

If it’s levels you are going to then they also have the Addams family, white water plus the ones you’ve mentioned above. Lancashire doesn’t have a great deal of pins on location, more down south.

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Yeah it is - nice, been wanting to play WW since the one at Arcade Club Bury wasn't working last time I was there

linearnorth said:

I'm only just getting into pinball and I've been looking for places nearby to play. So far I've come across three different pinball maps:

Pinball Map (https://pinballmap.com/uk)
Pinside Map (https://pinside.com/pinball/map)
Pinformer Map (http://pinformer.co.uk/)

Is there a general consensus on which of these is best/most accurate? I'm going to a place in Preston today which only appears on on the Pinformer map, which would lead me to think that's the most up-to-date one, but there are also venues on there that I know have closed down so I'm not sure. I'll update them with the Preston one this afternoon once I've visited and know what machines they have but just wondered if I should bother updating all three, or is there one that's preferred by everyone on here?

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Imo use pinball map and also download stern insider connected. IC will list any public location games connected to their network. Pinball map seems more current than pinformer- certainly in the North East and when visiting London

Asiapinball said:

You could join the Northern Pinball League. The new season starts 7th January. Players range from high competition standard to casual. Some are in it to win it and others there a much for the social aspect.

UK Pinball League - Schedule

Schedule of league meets.

www.pinballleague.uk

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Registered the other day, thanks - looking forward to it. I'm definitely not going to be in the 'in it win it' category

SteadyP said:

Imo use pinball map and also download stern insider connected. IC will list any public location games connected to their network. Pinball map seems more current than pinformer- certainly in the North East and when visiting London

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I do like the fact that Pinball Map has its own app...

linearnorth said:

Registered the other day, thanks - looking forward to it. I'm definitely not going to be in the 'in it win it' category

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You are welcome to join my group at the league meet. Me, my brother Rick and his partner Jane. They live in Lancaster so maybe close to you.

Paul

Cooper said:

If it’s levels you are going to then they also have the Addams family, white water plus the ones you’ve mentioned above. Lancashire doesn’t have a great deal of pins on location, more down south.

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I’m in Lancashire and have 16 pins set up that people are welcome to try

Pinball Map seems the most accurate, but they can all be often out of date.

Asiapinball said:

You could join the Northern Pinball League. The new season starts 7th January. Players range from high competition standard to casual. Some are in it to win it and others there a much for the social aspect.

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Yeah we're a friendly bunch up here

Asiapinball said:

You are welcome to join my group at the league meet. Me, my brother Rick and his partner Jane. They live in Lancaster so maybe close to you.

Paul

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Sounds good, thanks!

Silverpaolo said:

I’m in Lancashire and have 16 pins set up that people are welcome to try

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Wow, that's amazing! I'd be well up for a visit.

linearnorth said:

Wow, that's amazing! I'd be well up for a visit.

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Someone from Burnley & someone from Blackburn, together - what could possibly go wrong? (Up the Clarets!)

BigIan said:

Stern insider connected shows where all the sterns are (that have insider units)

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Depends how they’re set up - some operators don’t set them up as public locations but instead as a home machine, so they don’t appear on the IC list. The IC map is EXTREMELY sparse as a result