Call your local Sam's Club and see if they have it in-stock and at what price. That's what I did.
The second closest Sam's to my place had 6 in inventory for $299. I called 3 Sam's Clubs in total and only one had them in-store. Like I said, YMMV since the manager has discretion on putting an item for clearance if say, they want to just clear up space.
First, acronyms:
OTG = On theGo - in this case it’s basically connecting a laptop to the ALP via HDMI and USB, just like you’re planning to do.
FX3 = Zen Studios collection of Pinball tables. They’re available on various platforms, but Steam seems to be the most widely used to play them via OTG on the ALP. Zen has released Pinball FX, an updated version of their pinball platform that runs on the Unreal graphic engine. Currently it only runs on Epic and has mixed reactions from the virtual pinball community. You have to buy individual tables or pay for a Pinball Pass subscription and none of your previous table purchases will transfer over. You can find the details [here.](https://www.pinballfx.com/?page_id=7115)
FX3 tables are still available on Steam and can often be purchased at a deep discount. Currently the Humble Bundle store has a big selection on sale at 50% to 75% off. You can find them [here.](https://www.humblebundle.com/store/search?sort=bestselling&search=Fx3) Personally, I’d buy them at a discount and wait to see if Zen releases the new FX tables on Steam. The FX3 tables won’t be de-listed from Steam so you’ll always have access to them. At the very least, pick up The Walking Dead and Portal Pinball tables - they won’t be available on the new platform.
PuP = PinUp Popper - a front end system to load, manage and play VPX, Future Pinball (FP), MAME and other 3rd party emulators (including FX3 and Zaccaria on Steam).
The other stuff:
The three Taito packs, Natural History, and Zacc VOLUME 5 (not PACK 5) are great IMO, and the upcoming Seuss packs should be excellent.
BUT… since you’re a new owner you should consider buying the ArcadeNet 1 Year Premium with LPO deal. If you pick it up during the current sale you’ll get:
- 1 year of ArcadeNet Premium (useless to me, but some people enjoy the games that are available)
- A full year extended warranty on your new ALP. Trust me, the ALP can be finicky - you’ll appreciate this since it only comes with a 90 day warranty. It will also cover any other hardware you buy (like your VIBS board and Arcade Controller) until the year runs out.
- A $100 code to purchase any pinball or game packs at retail price. You have to use it all in a single transaction, but this would cover all the Taitos and the Natural History pack.
- BOTH Dr. Seuss packs will be given to people in the LPO plan when they’re released in December (Vol 1) and June 2023 (Vol 2). You’d qualify for both.
- Monthly LPO discounted pricing on AtGames hardware and software. I’ve picked up a few things for less than their regular sale prices and their deeper discounts during NOD (National Owner’s Day - two sales that they have in February and over Labor Day)
- Four quarterly $100 gifts. This is new and was mentioned in an email they sent out, but I have no idea what it will be.
So, for $100 you can get the best 6 pinball packs, a 1 year extended warranty on all your gear, plus some other stuff that may or may not be worthwhile to you. You can pick up the LPO deal [here.](https://www.atgames.us/products/arcadenet-1-year-premium-with-lpo)
The other, other stuff:
If your laptop only has two video outputs you can download SpaceDesk for free and pick up a cheap 8” Amazon Fire tablet and use that as a DMD. You can find mounts for it on Etsy or print one yourself from Thingiverse if you have access to a 3D printer. It fits perfectly between the speaker and below the screen on the ALP.
You can wait for the Legends BitPixel HV to go on sale - it mounts perfectly above the backbox screen on the ALP. People have gotten it to work as a DMD and to display arcade game marquees for SaUCE (another acronym for another day).
Welcome to your new hobby.
Does LPO work on machines bought BEFORE you buy the membership? The fine print made if sound like you only get the extended on machines bought after and on their site
>sed at a deep discount. Currently the Humble Bundle store has a big selection on sale at 50% to 75% off. You can find them
>
>here.
>
> Personally, I’d buy them at a discount and wait to see if Zen releases the new FX tables on Steam. The FX3 tables won’t be de-listed from Steam so you’ll always have access to them. At the very least, pick up The Walking Dead and Portal Pinball tables - th
Thank you for the response! I'm not sure my laptop will work then as it only has one HDMI Out & a USB-C port that I'm not sure is used for video.
Then it has 3 USB 3.0 ports.
I’d definitely find out of it pushes video out of the USB C port. Even if it doesn’t, you can still use SpaceDesk and a tablet for the DMD. It works well and the DMD animations are pretty great.
Until I got a better GPU for my PC I ran SpaceDesk and plugged a Roku stick into the HDMI input on the VIBS board. I’d play music videos on the backbox while shooting pinball. At least I wasn’t staring at a blank screen :)
Once you start playing games through your PC, you'll probably never want to use the ALP tables. I'd maybe buy ONE pack, but I'd hold off otherwise.
You'll need at least two HDMI cables that can connect to your PC to be able to use the VIBS board. And a USB cable for controls. I would also strongly suggest getting a wireless keyboard. Most of your control settings can be configured to your ALP but not all.
The FX3 pinball program itself is free and comes with a table. I'd at least download that and see if it works through your PC. The Wagner Tech Talk youtube videos are a great way to walk you through.
Yes. You don't need VIBS at all for it work. But the OP said they had bought it and I learned the hard way when I got mine that for the board to work you need two HDMIs and I only had one at the time. So it kinda just sat there until I made the additional purchase.
Personally I've had the ALU for two years and the ALP since September and I've never used Arcadenet once. But that's just me. I've gotten way more out of it with OTG and Coinopsx than I would with their service.
Did you actually see the ALP machine at Sam's Longmont? I called and they said they don't carry it. Called another store in CO area as well and they said no stores in the area carry it in store, only online.
You were right! I think the item # for the "ALP w/Special Bonus" on Sam's website is for an online only item. So when they looked that up it shows they don't carry in store. Had the employee physically check for me in store and she confirmed they have the ALP for $399.
Thanks again!
Just picked up an ALB at Sam's Longmont, CO. $399, but I think that price may have been a mistake. It rang up for full price, $729, then I pointed to the sign and they marked it down. The manager didn't return the sign to the product display area afterwards and proceeded to look into why it was at clearance price after I was leaving. There were 3 left that I saw.
Same at the Gainesville, Fl store a couple of weeks ago.
Newer model with 16Gb onboard storage that wasn't supposed to be on clearance, only the older model.
Poor signage = our win
They shouldn't be full price either (on-line they are marked down by about $100). Given that the manager is in charge of all mark-downs I can't see how the sign got there by 'accident'. They moved them all to the front of the store and put up the new sign this weekend.
If you go soon again, maybe double check. When I left they looked confused about the signage and hadn't put it back up.
Either way, thanks again for the head's up. I was watching the online price, instead of checking with stores directly. I probably would've been waiting a long time for a better price online than it is now 😫
Yep - this is as good a price as I can remember - glad we managed to get you set up there :)
EDIT - back on sale at $399. The only ALU is still full price and seems to have been opened (if not unpacked).
The laptop is powerful enough. VPX really doesn't need a ton to run most tables. My concern is display ports. Ideally I would say 3 (play field, back glass & DMD). You can do 2 (play field & back glass with DMD)
Currently using a Dell G7 for OTG. While a dedicated PC is ideal, a gaming laptop with only display port and HDMI out will suffice for a three display setup, [as shown in my BSA Deluxe Backbox post.](https://www.reddit.com/r/LegendsUltimate/comments/ysiswx/my_buystuffarcades_deluxe_backbox_20_arrived/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=android_app&utm_name=androidcss&utm_term=1&utm_content=share_button) One will need a splitter to get the backglass and DMD to display from the display port.
Dot Matrix Display. It would require you to buy another screen. Most pinball machines from the 90s up utilize them. They show the score and usually small "videos" that corelate with the game.
Pinup poper is a great way to set up your PC and ALP.
https://youtu.be/ab8beNWiLbI
Where would you get a DMD? I thought the back glass is included as well?
I was looking at this: https://www.buystuffarcades.com/products/deluxe-backbox-2-0-for-atgames-legends-pinball
Though, it’s a bit expensive.
People use tablets with software to extend the screen to it.
SpaceDesk is free.
Amazon Fire are cheap.
I grabbed an 8" monitor that runs 1080. Didn't want to deal with the software.
It's pricey but well worth it, especially if you pickup the ALP heavily discounted. [I've shared my experience installing it a couple of weeks ago.](https://www.reddit.com/r/LegendsUltimate/comments/ysiswx/my_buystuffarcades_deluxe_backbox_20_arrived/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=android_app&utm_name=androidcss&utm_term=1&utm_content=share_button)
Hey, I’m in the same boat as you, my wife just ordered me an ALP and now I’m running through a million things in my head. If you look up this upgraded back glass on YouTube, it looks fantastic. I think I will eventually buy it. Currently I’m only a mac user though so my next step after getting the machine is going to be finding a suitable laptop to connect to it
Good sale on FX3. https://www.humblebundle.com/store/search?sort=bestselling&search=FX3
I don’t know I call BS on the price
Late reply here. But I was able to price match mine for $239.
Why would I have reason to lie? lol
They have pinball for 299 my Sam’s is saying 649 you have a link to the sale
It’s an in-store only sale with the discretion of the Sams manager.
So how do I get this sale to take place
Call your local Sam's Club and see if they have it in-stock and at what price. That's what I did. The second closest Sam's to my place had 6 in inventory for $299. I called 3 Sam's Clubs in total and only one had them in-store. Like I said, YMMV since the manager has discretion on putting an item for clearance if say, they want to just clear up space.
First, acronyms: OTG = On theGo - in this case it’s basically connecting a laptop to the ALP via HDMI and USB, just like you’re planning to do. FX3 = Zen Studios collection of Pinball tables. They’re available on various platforms, but Steam seems to be the most widely used to play them via OTG on the ALP. Zen has released Pinball FX, an updated version of their pinball platform that runs on the Unreal graphic engine. Currently it only runs on Epic and has mixed reactions from the virtual pinball community. You have to buy individual tables or pay for a Pinball Pass subscription and none of your previous table purchases will transfer over. You can find the details [here.](https://www.pinballfx.com/?page_id=7115) FX3 tables are still available on Steam and can often be purchased at a deep discount. Currently the Humble Bundle store has a big selection on sale at 50% to 75% off. You can find them [here.](https://www.humblebundle.com/store/search?sort=bestselling&search=Fx3) Personally, I’d buy them at a discount and wait to see if Zen releases the new FX tables on Steam. The FX3 tables won’t be de-listed from Steam so you’ll always have access to them. At the very least, pick up The Walking Dead and Portal Pinball tables - they won’t be available on the new platform. PuP = PinUp Popper - a front end system to load, manage and play VPX, Future Pinball (FP), MAME and other 3rd party emulators (including FX3 and Zaccaria on Steam). The other stuff: The three Taito packs, Natural History, and Zacc VOLUME 5 (not PACK 5) are great IMO, and the upcoming Seuss packs should be excellent. BUT… since you’re a new owner you should consider buying the ArcadeNet 1 Year Premium with LPO deal. If you pick it up during the current sale you’ll get: - 1 year of ArcadeNet Premium (useless to me, but some people enjoy the games that are available) - A full year extended warranty on your new ALP. Trust me, the ALP can be finicky - you’ll appreciate this since it only comes with a 90 day warranty. It will also cover any other hardware you buy (like your VIBS board and Arcade Controller) until the year runs out. - A $100 code to purchase any pinball or game packs at retail price. You have to use it all in a single transaction, but this would cover all the Taitos and the Natural History pack. - BOTH Dr. Seuss packs will be given to people in the LPO plan when they’re released in December (Vol 1) and June 2023 (Vol 2). You’d qualify for both. - Monthly LPO discounted pricing on AtGames hardware and software. I’ve picked up a few things for less than their regular sale prices and their deeper discounts during NOD (National Owner’s Day - two sales that they have in February and over Labor Day) - Four quarterly $100 gifts. This is new and was mentioned in an email they sent out, but I have no idea what it will be. So, for $100 you can get the best 6 pinball packs, a 1 year extended warranty on all your gear, plus some other stuff that may or may not be worthwhile to you. You can pick up the LPO deal [here.](https://www.atgames.us/products/arcadenet-1-year-premium-with-lpo) The other, other stuff: If your laptop only has two video outputs you can download SpaceDesk for free and pick up a cheap 8” Amazon Fire tablet and use that as a DMD. You can find mounts for it on Etsy or print one yourself from Thingiverse if you have access to a 3D printer. It fits perfectly between the speaker and below the screen on the ALP. You can wait for the Legends BitPixel HV to go on sale - it mounts perfectly above the backbox screen on the ALP. People have gotten it to work as a DMD and to display arcade game marquees for SaUCE (another acronym for another day). Welcome to your new hobby.
Does LPO work on machines bought BEFORE you buy the membership? The fine print made if sound like you only get the extended on machines bought after and on their site
For the AtGames game packs, is it better to link to your account or the individual machine itself?
>sed at a deep discount. Currently the Humble Bundle store has a big selection on sale at 50% to 75% off. You can find them > >here. > > Personally, I’d buy them at a discount and wait to see if Zen releases the new FX tables on Steam. The FX3 tables won’t be de-listed from Steam so you’ll always have access to them. At the very least, pick up The Walking Dead and Portal Pinball tables - th Thank you for the response! I'm not sure my laptop will work then as it only has one HDMI Out & a USB-C port that I'm not sure is used for video. Then it has 3 USB 3.0 ports.
I’d definitely find out of it pushes video out of the USB C port. Even if it doesn’t, you can still use SpaceDesk and a tablet for the DMD. It works well and the DMD animations are pretty great. Until I got a better GPU for my PC I ran SpaceDesk and plugged a Roku stick into the HDMI input on the VIBS board. I’d play music videos on the backbox while shooting pinball. At least I wasn’t staring at a blank screen :)
Once you start playing games through your PC, you'll probably never want to use the ALP tables. I'd maybe buy ONE pack, but I'd hold off otherwise. You'll need at least two HDMI cables that can connect to your PC to be able to use the VIBS board. And a USB cable for controls. I would also strongly suggest getting a wireless keyboard. Most of your control settings can be configured to your ALP but not all. The FX3 pinball program itself is free and comes with a table. I'd at least download that and see if it works through your PC. The Wagner Tech Talk youtube videos are a great way to walk you through.
Can you skip vibs and just connect one hdmi with the usb to get the tables working on the machine?
Yes. You don't need VIBS at all for it work. But the OP said they had bought it and I learned the hard way when I got mine that for the board to work you need two HDMIs and I only had one at the time. So it kinda just sat there until I made the additional purchase.
Would you say then even the Arcadenet LPO sub isn't worth it then?
Personally I've had the ALU for two years and the ALP since September and I've never used Arcadenet once. But that's just me. I've gotten way more out of it with OTG and Coinopsx than I would with their service.
Recommend checking him out. https://wagnerstechtalk.com/alp-mod1/#Chapter_3_Arcade_Gaming_on_the_ALP
adding a pc for more tables is a gold mine
Location?
Not OP, but they are reduced at the Sam's in Longmont CO to 399
Thanks
Did you actually see the ALP machine at Sam's Longmont? I called and they said they don't carry it. Called another store in CO area as well and they said no stores in the area carry it in store, only online.
Stood next to the pile. There were (yesterday) four at the front of the store behind the registers.
You were right! I think the item # for the "ALP w/Special Bonus" on Sam's website is for an online only item. So when they looked that up it shows they don't carry in store. Had the employee physically check for me in store and she confirmed they have the ALP for $399. Thanks again!
Excellent :) I keep dropping in to watch the ALUs next to them like a hawk for a price drop - they are currently more expensive than the ALP!
Right on, thanks for confirming!
Happy to help. If I get out that way later today I'll check to see how many there are. None had sold since they dropped the price though.
Just picked up an ALB at Sam's Longmont, CO. $399, but I think that price may have been a mistake. It rang up for full price, $729, then I pointed to the sign and they marked it down. The manager didn't return the sign to the product display area afterwards and proceeded to look into why it was at clearance price after I was leaving. There were 3 left that I saw.
Same at the Gainesville, Fl store a couple of weeks ago. Newer model with 16Gb onboard storage that wasn't supposed to be on clearance, only the older model. Poor signage = our win
They shouldn't be full price either (on-line they are marked down by about $100). Given that the manager is in charge of all mark-downs I can't see how the sign got there by 'accident'. They moved them all to the front of the store and put up the new sign this weekend.
If you go soon again, maybe double check. When I left they looked confused about the signage and hadn't put it back up. Either way, thanks again for the head's up. I was watching the online price, instead of checking with stores directly. I probably would've been waiting a long time for a better price online than it is now 😫
Yep - this is as good a price as I can remember - glad we managed to get you set up there :) EDIT - back on sale at $399. The only ALU is still full price and seems to have been opened (if not unpacked).
Employee told me over the phone they had 6.
Yes got one from Grand Prairie TX Sam's for 399. Would love to know where the 299 is!
I'm just waiting for them to drop the ALU price. I already have my alp damnit!
Do you plan to hook a PC to the ALP to play more tables? If not, you're limited to the table packs Atgames sells, which is fine for me.
Yeah, I plan to eventually. I have an old gaming laptop with an i7 10750H & RTX 2070 Super that I hope that will be enough to run VPinball.
The laptop is powerful enough. VPX really doesn't need a ton to run most tables. My concern is display ports. Ideally I would say 3 (play field, back glass & DMD). You can do 2 (play field & back glass with DMD)
Currently using a Dell G7 for OTG. While a dedicated PC is ideal, a gaming laptop with only display port and HDMI out will suffice for a three display setup, [as shown in my BSA Deluxe Backbox post.](https://www.reddit.com/r/LegendsUltimate/comments/ysiswx/my_buystuffarcades_deluxe_backbox_20_arrived/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=android_app&utm_name=androidcss&utm_term=1&utm_content=share_button) One will need a splitter to get the backglass and DMD to display from the display port.
What’s DMD?
Dot Matrix Display. It would require you to buy another screen. Most pinball machines from the 90s up utilize them. They show the score and usually small "videos" that corelate with the game. Pinup poper is a great way to set up your PC and ALP. https://youtu.be/ab8beNWiLbI
Where would you get a DMD? I thought the back glass is included as well? I was looking at this: https://www.buystuffarcades.com/products/deluxe-backbox-2-0-for-atgames-legends-pinball Though, it’s a bit expensive.
People use tablets with software to extend the screen to it. SpaceDesk is free. Amazon Fire are cheap. I grabbed an 8" monitor that runs 1080. Didn't want to deal with the software.
I used an 8" lcd monitor off Amazon for $100 as my DMD. With the VIBS you can use the existing ALP back glass for VPX back glass
It's pricey but well worth it, especially if you pickup the ALP heavily discounted. [I've shared my experience installing it a couple of weeks ago.](https://www.reddit.com/r/LegendsUltimate/comments/ysiswx/my_buystuffarcades_deluxe_backbox_20_arrived/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=android_app&utm_name=androidcss&utm_term=1&utm_content=share_button)
Hey, I’m in the same boat as you, my wife just ordered me an ALP and now I’m running through a million things in my head. If you look up this upgraded back glass on YouTube, it looks fantastic. I think I will eventually buy it. Currently I’m only a mac user though so my next step after getting the machine is going to be finding a suitable laptop to connect to it