If you’re searching for the perfect pinball machine for sale, one of the most overlooked—but important—decisions you’ll face is whether to go with a widebody or a standard body machine.
Both styles offer great gameplay, but the experience, size, and even long-term value can vary greatly. At House of Pinball, we’ve helped collectors, families, and first-time buyers choose machines that match their space, budget, and style.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through the pros and cons of widebody vs. standard body pinball machines, with real-world examples to help you decide what to buy.
📏 What’s the Difference?
The difference between widebody and standard body machines comes down to physical size and playfield space.
➤ Standard Body:
- Width: ~22 inches
- Most common format
- Fast, compact, and flow-focused gameplay
- Easier to move and place in tighter spaces
➤ Widebody:
- Width: ~24.5–26 inches
- More playfield real estate
- Often used for deeper, more complex games
- Heavier and takes up more space
🎯 Quick Fact: Widebody machines are sometimes referred to as “SuperPins”, especially in the 90s Bally/Williams era.
🕹️ Gameplay Experience: Flow vs. Depth
✅ Standard Body Pinball Machines
These machines are typically faster, with smoother ramp flow and quicker ball movement. They often reward timing, accuracy, and speed.
Popular Standard Body Titles:
- The Addams Family
- Iron Maiden
- FunHouse
- Deadpool
Pros:
- High replay value
- Ideal for tournaments
- More machines to choose from
- Fits in smaller game rooms
✅ Widebody Pinball Machines
Widebody machines have larger playfields, which allows for:
- More mechanical toys
- Bigger ramps and wireforms
- More complex rule sets
- Slower ball speed (sometimes)
Popular Widebody Titles:
- Twilight Zone
- Theatre of Magic
- Star Wars: LE (Stern)
- Jersey Jack’s Guns N’ Roses
Pros:
- Richer, more immersive experience
- Visually impressive
- Often more collectible
- Great for home arcade setups
🛒 Which One Should You Buy?
This depends on your goals, space, and budget. Here’s how to decide:
✅ Choose a Standard Body Machine If:
- You’re a first-time buyer
- You want fast-paced, flowy gameplay
- You’re limited on space
- You plan to move the machine often
✅ Choose a Widebody Machine If:
- You want a deeper, more immersive experience
- You’re building a dedicated game room
- You’re a serious collector
- You’re buying a machine with lots of mechanical features or toys
🧠 Expert Comparison
| Feature | Standard Body | Widebody |
|---|---|---|
| Width | ~22″ | ~26″ |
| Ball Speed | Faster | Slightly slower |
| Gameplay Style | Flow & precision | Explorative & immersive |
| Price Range (2025) | $5,000–$10,000+ | $6,500–$13,000+ |
| Best For | First-time buyers, speed players | Collectors, enthusiasts |
| Portability | Easier | Heavier, harder to move |
| Available Titles | Extensive | Fewer (but high quality) |
💸 Price, Availability & Resale Value
🏷️ Pricing:
- Standard body machines tend to be more affordable, especially pre-owned.
- Widebody machines often cost more due to complexity and limited production.
🔁 Resale:
- Machines like Twilight Zone (widebody) and The Addams Family (standard) hold their value extremely well.
- Limited Edition widebody machines, such as those from Jersey Jack, often appreciate over time.
At House of Pinball, every machine is inspected, restored (if applicable), and backed by expert support—so you know you’re investing in a quality product either way.
🛠️ Maintenance Considerations
- Standard bodies are easier to work on due to their simpler layouts.
- Widebodies may have more complex mechanisms and wiring but offer more customization and mod potential.
Both formats benefit from:
- ✅ Modern LEDs
- ✅ Updated sound boards
- ✅ Playfield protection kits
- ✅ Easy-to-source replacement parts
🛒 Looking for a Pinball Machine for Sale?
At House of Pinball, we offer both widebody and standard body machines in fully restored and new-in-box condition. Whether you’re building a home game room or looking for that one legendary title, we’ve got you covered.
🎯 Why Buy From Us?
- 🧰 Professionally inspected and restored machines
- 🛡️ Warranty + lifetime phone/email support
- 🚚 Nationwide delivery
- 💬 Expert advice—no pressure, no sales fluff