During season 7 of “Shark Tank”, in episode 28, the Sharks were invited to engage in pinball — but with a twist. Traditional pinball machine elements like the ball, physical bumpers, and flippers were substituted with graphics on a high-definition LED screen. Developed by VPcabs, every aspect of a conventional pinball machine was transformed to resemble a video game. Each virtual pinball machine created by the company houses hundreds of games accessible on a single digital pinball cabinet.
The main concept aimed to deliver all the enjoyment and excitement of classic pinball, but elevated through a digital interface. Traditional pinball machines are large and cumbersome, and owning multiple units occupies considerable space. By combining several games into a singular cabinet, owners can save space in their home, arcade, or business.
VPcabs wasn’t universally embraced by all the “Shark Tank” investors; only two expressed interest, and ultimately just one Shark endorsed VPcabs’ virtual pinball machines. Following the completion of the deal in 2016, VPcabs has persisted in selling virtual pinball cabinets with various options available. Models can even be tested prior to purchase at the company’s physical site in Ohio. If you’re in the market, you might want to check out these 5 Amazon products that enable you to create a retro arcade at home.
Details of the Shark Tank deal
Brad Baker presented VPcab digital pinball machines on season 7 of “Shark Tank”. Several cabinets were arranged for the Sharks to try while he made his pitch. Brad sought $200,000 for a 10% equity stake in the company. While interacting with one of the machines, Mark Cuban remarked that the digital version was “better than traditional pinball.” Although they appeared to be having fun, Cuban, Lori Greiner, Robert Herjavec, and Kevin O’Leary opted not to pursue a deal.
Daymond John was the sole Shark to offer a counterproposal of $200,000 for 30%, ultimately agreeing on 25%. While the agreement proved beneficial for VPcabs, Mark Cuban withdrew due to VPcabs not possessing the software for the games. According to the company’s website, VPcabs cannot include pinball table ROMs with its machines and instead directs customers to a third-party SSD hard drive for installation. And if you prefer not to have a large arcade machine occupying space, the Antstream Arcade offers over 1,400 classic games on Xbox.
What happened to VPcabs?
The “Shark Tank” deal turned out to be extremely fruitful for VPcabs as the company continues to thrive today with both digital and physical locations. For those interested in one of the company’s virtual pinball machines, prices start at $6,295 for the Vertigo NXT Multicade system and go up to $9,895 for the Ultra VP OLED edition. This deal would become one of Daymond John’s most successful on “Shark Tank”, leading to VPcabs generating over $1 million in sales the following year.
VPcabs originated from Brad’s garage, where he and his brother hand-built each unit from old machines. Constructing each cabinet took three to four weeks. Today, the virtual pinball machines are manufactured with automation and a factory-style system, enabling them to produce multiple units daily. Another option is exploring these 5 amazing Costco finds to create your own retro arcade.