Our subsequent Trading Card Spotlight options Jaden Berk, who’s displayed on card quantity 1324, from the   Superstars of 2014 Collection.  Jaden has been round pinball in some kind of trend his entire life. His father, Robert Berk, would create and begin a pinball expo that has lasted since 1985. Jaden has attended pinball exhibits throughout the nation and has racked up a lifetime price of pinball taking part in. Jaden has a knack for cleansing up an previous and soiled pinball machine. He additionally loves modern-day consoles and enjoys the PlayStation and XBOX.  Now 19 years previous, Jaden is engaged on serving to with the Pinball Expo annually and making it the most important pinball expo within the nation. The pinball expo might be discovered by clicking right here.  Also try Jaden’s “The Holy Grail Video Game Store”. This touring gaming retailer units up on the Midwest Gaming Classic in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, the Too Many Games present in Oaks, Pennsylvania, and the Classic Game Fest in Austin, Texas.

Snapchat at Jberk24 or comply with me on Instagram at Jadenberk

Do you keep in mind your first pinball sport you performed and what do you keep in mind about it?

The first pinball sport I keep in mind taking part in was Medieval Madness. As a younger man, it’s all the time enjoyable to hit and destroy objects, and that’s simply what the sport relies off of. I all the time loved hitting the fortress, which might open the gate, after which after you hit the drawbridge, it falls down and you must shoot to destroy the fortress. I additionally loved hitting the 2 Trolls that will pop up infrequently. It was really an exhilarating expertise.

How previous had been you whenever you first helped out with the Pinball Expo? What is your first reminiscence?

When I first helped out with the Pinball Expo, I used to be about 8 or 9 years previous. It has been a blast working the present and seeing the expansion through the years. My first reminiscence must be once I stunned my dad on the Pinball Expo. This specific yr, my dad was in Chicago getting ready for the present, whereas my mother was nonetheless at dwelling. When my mother flew out to Chicago, she introduced me alongside along with her to the present. I keep in mind arriving on the Pinball Expo, and stunning my dad. It was nice to be on the present, and I additionally keep in mind strolling within the sport corridor and being blown away. As a younger man I didn’t notice what number of pinball machines had been made, and I had a good time taking part in nearly each sport on the present.

What is your finest reminiscence of working on the Pinball Expo?

My finest reminiscence must be the public sale on the Banquet. My dad can be the auctioneer, and for people who attended the public sale, they witnessed my father’s expertise in motion. He was nice at it and would have my sisters and I maintain up the public sale merchandise. We would stroll across the room exhibiting potential patrons the merchandise, and it was an incredible occasion to be part of. He actually made it a enjoyable occasion, and all of the proceeds went to Charity. I additionally keep in mind assembly Nolan Bushnell, the founding father of Atari, on the Pinball Expo. That was one other reminiscence that I’ll always remember.

Do you keep in mind your first online game you performed and what do you keep in mind about it?

The first online game I keep in mind taking part in was Super Smash Bros. Melee for the Nintendo GameDice. I keep in mind how enjoyable it was to smash as many buttons as quick as I might and attempt to beat up my opponent. It was a sport that was finest to play with buddies, so I undoubtedly loved it and it introduced out my aggressive spirit. The first arcade sport I ever performed was Midway’s Space Zap. This was an analogous type sport by which you needed to smash the buttons as quick as you could possibly, however this sport was solely based mostly on reflexes. As you advance, alien attackers shoot at you quicker and quicker. It was an entertaining sport, nevertheless it additionally examined my endurance. Sometimes I’d get up to now, solely to die, and restart the sport from the start. My father even recorded me in hopes of setting the World Record.

What was the primary pinball machine you labored on and glued?

I by no means truly mounted a pinball machine, however I did work on cleansing them. I keep in mind engaged on a Williams Gorgar machine. It was not in the perfect form, nevertheless it was enjoyable to see the method of how the sport cleaned up.

What is your favourite transportable gaming system and why?

My favourite transportable gaming system is the Nintendo Switch. It is Nintendo’s latest console, and I actually like the thought of taking part in video games on a TV, but additionally taking it on the go. I beat Mario Odyssey on an airplane and convey the Switch with me at any time when I journey. It could be very simple to move, and a few of my favourite video games embody Mario Kart, Arms, Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, and Super Bomberman R.

What pinball video games do you play and what are your favourite period of video games?

Any pinball sport that I come throughout I’ll play. It could possibly be from the 1940’s or 2021, and I’ll play it. My favourite period of video games are from the 70s. Although easy, I like taking pictures drop targets and even targets on the whole. It has a slower tempo, however the video games are nonetheless very fulfilling. My all-time favourite pinball is Gottlieb’s Dimension, which got here out in 1971. The sport options a number of banks of drop targets, and it has lots of motion as nicely.

Which firm makes the perfect pinball video games and why?

Although my all-time favourite sport is made by Gottlieb, I’d say my favourite pinball firm general is Williams. From FunHouse, Medieval Madness, Monster Bash, Pin-Bot, to many others, I imagine Williams video games had been very fluid and had nice gameplay. Each sport has a singular really feel to it, and after the sport ends, I can’t wait to play it once more.

Are pinball video games good for relieving stress?

I do suppose pinball video games are good for relieving stress. Sometimes life might be anxious, however it is very important step away at occasions and decompress. If you might have a couple of machines in your home, you may as nicely play them to alleviate stress. Pinball is a enjoyable sport and can assist take your thoughts off of undesirable stress.

What are your opinions about at this time’s era of video video games?  How do you examine them to older, traditional video games?

Today’s era of video video games are much more violent. There had been older, violent traditional video games which had been shooters, however not practically as graphic as those at this time. I believe it is vitally cool to take a look at the evolution of video video games through the years. From old fashioned Atari, to Nintendo, to Sega, to many others consoles that had been launched, each has a singular really feel to it. I’m an enormous fan of Madden Football, so for me I take pleasure in seeing how far a sport like that has come when it comes to graphics and general gameplay. I imagine the way forward for video video games could be very promising.

If you could possibly personal just one pinball sport, what would it not be and why?  

If I might personal just one pinball sport it must be my favourite machine “Dimension”. I might play that sport for hours, and I actually take pleasure in making an attempt to knock down all the drop targets. I additionally like the general design of the sport together with the art work.

Which console firm is your favourite and why?  Nintendo, Sony, Sega, or Microsoft?

I must say Nintendo is my favourite console firm. Although I like taking part in the others, the one factor that makes Nintendo stand out is its multiplayer video games. Whenever I’ve buddies over, we all the time play Nintendo. Whether it’s the Nintendo GameDice, taking part in video games akin to Super Smash Bros. Melee, or Wario Ware, to the Wii taking part in video games akin to Mario Kart, Wii Sports, Mario Super Sluggers, to the Wii U taking part in Nintendo Land, to the Switch taking part in Mario Kart, Super Smash. Bros. Ultimate, Arms, 1-2-Switch, Nintendo video games by no means appear to disappoint. I like taking part in any Nintendo console, and suppose Nintendo has created a incredible library of video games.

When did you first meet Walter Day and the place was it at?

I first met Walter Day on the Pinball Expo. My dad launched me to him, and I by no means forgot Walter and his referee costume since then. My dad and I’ve crossed paths with Walter at varied online game and pinball conventions, and it’s all the time nice to see him and see what he does for the online game business.

Did you ever suppose whenever you can be on a online game buying and selling card?  

It by no means occurred to me that I’d be on a online game buying and selling card. Being within the passion for therefore a few years, I’ve seen varied individuals on online game buying and selling playing cards. I’m 19 years previous and have my very own online game enterprise referred to as “The Holy Grail Video Game Store.” With the assistance of my father Rob, I began the enterprise once I was 16 years previous. It has been very fulfilling to satisfy fellow avid gamers and assist them discover video games they’ve been searching for. To be on a online game buying and selling card at this age means rather a lot to me, and exhibits it’s by no means too early to get into the passion.

What does it take to run a profitable gaming expo?

It takes dedication and dedication to run a profitable gaming expo. I believe it’s superior to journey to numerous online game conventions and see how each is totally different in its personal means. There usually are not solely online game expos within the United States, however world wide. All it takes is somebody with an concept to start out the method of getting their very own gaming expo. They are nice for the business and are all the time enjoyable to attend.

Do you imagine some video video games are too violent and result in violence in America at this time?

I do imagine that some video video games are too violent and result in violence in America. There had been violent video video games many a long time in the past, however none of them examine to the violence in at this time’s video games. Many video games at this time embody combating wars or taking pictures at enemies. Violent video games have more and more turn out to be extra well-liked over the previous couple of years, and with the graphics and the gory gameplay, it solely fuels to violence in America.

Do you like taking part in pinball alone, or in opposition to buddies and why?

I want taking part in pinball in opposition to buddies. As a lot as I wish to play pinball, I take pleasure in watching simply as a lot. Sometimes the opposite individual might hit a shot you could possibly not hit, and you may see what occurs after they hit the shot. Also, it brings out the aggressive juices in everybody and that’s all the time enjoyable. Tournaments and taking part in in opposition to buddies push us gamers to do our very best.

Do you prefer it when Hollywood makes a film from the online game?

I believe it is vitally cool to see Hollywood make a online game film. I like all sorts of video games: pinball, arcade, and console video games, and it doesn’t matter what the film specializes is, so long as it comprises one thing associated to gaming, I’ll watch it. With Hollywood making motion pictures, it additionally raises consciousness of sure video video games, and may even convey new individuals to the passion.

Who is your favourite online game character and what makes that character particular?

My favourite online game character is Mario. I’ve grown up all my life taking part in Mario video games. From a younger age to even at this time, I take pleasure in any sport that includes Mario, and who doesn’t like Mario? You have to understand somebody who desires to defeat enemies and restore peace. Mario is a personality that’s acknowledged all around the world, and I even met the voice of Mario, Charles Martinet. Definitely a cool expertise that I’ll always remember.

What springs to thoughts whenever you hear the time period ‘Pinball’?

When I hear the phrase ‘Pinball’ I consider pleasure. Each and each pinball sport has a singular design, format, and varied bells and whistles. Pinball has advanced a lot over the century, and I can’t wait to see what’s in retailer for the way forward for pinball. Pinball machines are all around the world and convey pleasure to everybody who performs it. All ages can play pinball, and it’s crucial to maintain the passion alive for future generations.

What is your favourite single participant sport and favourite multiplayer sport?

Although my favourite single-player sport is Dimension, my different favourite single participant sport is Triple Action, which was designed by Williams. There is one thing about this sport that I’m drawn to. It is a comparatively easy idea, with the purpose to knock down the 4 drop targets. There is a spinner proper within the heart of the playfield, and that alters the ball as nicely. It is a sport that has a lot motion to it, and as soon as I even turned the sport over thrice. My favourite multiplayer sport is Texan designed by Gottlieb. Not many individuals know in regards to the sport, however it’s a actually enjoyable sport to attempt, and I believe anybody who is available in contact with it ought to play it. The sport has 3 eject holes, and the purpose is to have the ball land in every totally different eject gap, then that provides the participant the chance to attain a pair hundred factors.

If you’ll be able to design your individual online game, what would it not be about and who can be the principle character?

If I might design my very own online game it might be about Mario being on a stranded planet, and he has to defeat all the enemies to return again to his dwelling. He would learn that he’s on one other planet, and the one strategy to return house is to defeat everybody he is available in contact with. He would battle aliens, and different unfamiliar beings, and when he defeats all of them, he has to steal their rocketship to return again to his dwelling. Mario is all the time an incredible primary character, and on this sport the highlight can be on him once more.

Are you continue to concerned with the Pinball Expo, and what position do you play? 

I’m concerned with Pinball Expo, and I announce a number of the Seminars. I additionally help on the entrance sales space when vital and stroll across the vendor corridor to verify on distributors. When the public sale was working, it was my job to go round to totally different distributors asking if they’d something to donate to the public sale.

Where do you see the Pinball Expo within the subsequent 10 years?

I see the Pinball Expo going nowhere however up within the subsequent 10 years. It was the primary pinball present of its variety, and it’s nonetheless flippin’. It is really superb for a present to go on for over 35 straight years. Even with the pandemic, the present nonetheless managed to go digital, and did a superb job. It looks like pinball and the passion is all the time rising yr after yr, and I anticipate nothing however future success for the present. The present should preserve flippin’, and I imagine the present will proceed to develop through the years.

Also, for all of the readers on the market that is your signal to attend the Pinball Expo in Chicago. It is really an incredible present and you’ll not be disenchanted. Also, I may also be organising a sales space promoting retro video video games on the Classic Game Fest in Austin, TX, which takes place from July-24-25, 2021.

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