Tacky ads for stuff nobody wants usually include the words “At last!”. Well, in the case of NanoTech’s new Pinball Wizard PC game controller those words are actually justified. I’ve been waiting for something like this for ages.

One of the big problems with virtual pinball, on the PC or a games console, has always been the lack of any physical interaction and feedback. True pinball is a highly visceral, hands on experience. The closest I’ve found to date is using the Wii with the Nunchuck - but obviously that solution isn’t compatible with PC simulations such as Future Pinball.

Now NanoTech Entertainment, makers of the Multipin, have released their Pinball Wizard controller. This is a USB based device for PCs that effectively converts presses of flipper buttons etc into the keystrokes required for a PC simulation.

According to Nanotech:

The Pinball Wizard is constructed with true arcade materials and uses a real plunger and lockdown bar from actual pinball machines assuring the player that real arcade feel

Robert DeKett of NanoTech said:

We have come up with a design that will work with any pinball software, regardless of analog input support. This means we can support all pinball games. Our engineers have crafted a very flexible solution that is designed to support all existing pinball games and is field upgradeable ensuring long lasting support

It looks to me as if they’ve essentially taken parts from the MultiPin and added some software plus USB support. Very clever.

The Pinball Wizard is available to buy fromNanoTech for $299. Given the exchange rate, shipping costs to the UK and import duty that probably equates to three hundred quid. So unless NanoTech want to send me a freebie to review it looks like I’ll be waiting a while longer.

At last - but not yet.

Online retailer Arcade Novelties has launched an online shop where you can browse and buy the company’s range of pinball and arcade game related retro products.

Arcade Novelties has done licensing deals with both Gottlieb and Alvin G. This means that they can provide official reproductions of original game artwork and logos (currently logo only for Alvin G). Order fulfillment is via CafePress Print on Demand (PoD) with designs available on various items such as T-shirts, mugs etc.

Robert Fesjian of Gottlieb Development LLC said:

“As caretaker of the oldest name in pinball, we fully expect that Arcade Novelties’ use of the Gottlieb® license will reinforce the already high international awareness of our brand”

Of course an even better way for Gottlieb to increase awareness would be to start building pinball machines again…