Have you ever found yourself saying, “I wonder what pinball game arcades are near me”? I have to admit it wasn’t a sentence that ran through my mind, but once I discovered Das Flipperhaus Pinball in Rocklin, CA?   I wish I would have asked that question sooner! Of course, anything added to the Rocklin attractions scene is bound to be well-planned and a massive win. Das Flipperhaus Pinball is a vibrant go-to hangout for post-work decompression or all-night laughs with your crew. With its large selection of pinball machines and fun atmosphere, it’s an alt arcade place to go when video games are just not hitting anymore. Read on to learn all about what you have to look forward to when you spend time at Das Flipperhaus Pinball.

Evolution of Pinball Machines Begins with Bagatelle

Pinball has been bouncing around since the game Bagatelle was popular in the late 1700s. Bagatelle was a table game with players using a cue stick to knock balls past wooden pins and into holes. If players knocked over the wooden pins, they would lose points. The next move toward pinball as we know it came when a guy named Montague Redgrave invented a game called “Ball Shooter” based on Bagatelle tables. Instead of a cue stick, the Ball Shooter used a spring launcher to launch balls using a steady amount of force. The idea was still to launch the balls into holes. In 1932, the version of pinball machines we now know came when Raymond Maloney invented a game called Ballyhoo. It was the first coin-operated pinball game. Okay, so it wasn’t exactly what we see today because it didn’t have bumpers, flippers, or a hole at the bottom, but it was a huge success. As pinball’s success increased, more manufacturers of pinball machines entered the scene and added all sorts of fanciness that ended in the first electro-mechanical pinball machines. And that was it—game on for what could be added to this already very popular game.

But it hasn’t been a drama-less journey for pinball. The period from the 1940s to the mid-1970s was known as one of the weirdest periods in American gaming history. Beginning in 1942 in New York City, pinball was tagged as a form of gambling and made illegal. Because the machines of that era didn’t all have flippers, it was seen as a game of luck rather than skill, so it fell into the gambling category. And because games often gave away cash or prizes based on score, pinball was also considered a betting device. This ban soon spread to other large American cities. So get this—it wasn’t until 1976 that a guy named Roger Sharpe helped overturn the New York City ban on pinball by comparing it to baseball because it requires timing and control. Other cities followed suit so that pinball once again became a legal part of arcades everywhere. Who knew, right?

This Rocklin Hangout Is For Pinball Wizards in the Making

When I walked into Das Flipperhaus Pinball for the first time, I have to admit I wasn’t sure what to expect. I’m a person that really likes an environment with lots of the same type of noise going on at the same time and where I can cheer someone on or jump into the mix by competing with anyone who makes eye contact with me. Add cold drinks and snacks to munch on while doing the competing and cheering and I’m cool. So my first visit to Das Flipperhaus Pinball was an instant win! The founders of this place, Dallas Drake and Kristofer Vincent, knew what they were doing. I mean, come on—they were in the wholesaling operation of classic arcade and pinball equipment in the Sacramento area for a long time. They knew they’d have an instant hit by designing their own public location for pinball lovers and pinball bar enthusiasts—and doing it in a family-friendly way. What you see when you step into the fun environment at Das Flipperhaus Pinball is the owners’ spin on a casual, fun atmosphere with a competitive vibe. Talk about creating a fun place? The owners hit it right on this one (see what I did there?).

Okay, I’m a fan of AC/DC, so the chance for rocking out to great music while dipping into a world of blinking lights and flinging pinballs was irresistible. But then I spotted the words “Indiana Jones” and knew it was time to shift gears. Oh boy, was I not disappointed. With lots of Indiana Jones references and that great movie soundtrack amping up the sense of adventure, this game was fun! I can easily say that there is a game for just about everyone who loves pinball. We’re talking a huge variety from Hot Wheels to Twilight Zone and so much in between. On the day I dropped in, there were 46 pinball machines in the lineup, and I was told that games are swapped out on a regular basis so you never know what fun surprise you’ll find at Das Flipperhaus Pinball. But you can only be surprised if you go see for yourself all the pinball goodness happening at Das Flipperhaus Pinball.

Pinball machines aren’t just found in arcades. Sometimes they’re in a collector’s prized stash. Because they’re delicate, valuable, and big, serious collectors can find self-storage to be the perfect solution. That’s why serious collectors turn to self-storage facilities like Stanford Ranch Self Storage to protect their investment. Our climate-controlled units help protect your pinball machine investment from heat, dust, and moisture, while wide hallways and easy-access loading areas make moving machines in and out a breeze. It’s the perfect way to expand a collection, protect those fun investments, and keep machines in top shape until it’s game time again! Come see for yourself why Stanford Ranch Self Storage is the answer to all your self-storage needs. We look forward to seeing you.

Das Flipperhaus Pinball
4835 Granite Dr.
Rocklin, CA  95677
916-251-7519
Open Monday through Friday 5:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.
Saturday 12:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.
Sunday 12:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
dasflipperhaus.com