Getting Started with Your Virtual Pinball Machine

Your Ourcade Virtual Pinball machine includes physical controls for navigating the PinUp Popper frontend and playing your favorite pinball tables.

Flipper Buttons

The left and right flipper buttons are used to navigate through the PinUp Popper frontend. During gameplay, these buttons operate the corresponding left and right flippers.

Launch Ball / Enter Button

The Launch Ball button is included on every Ourcade Virtual Pinball machine, even when the optional physical plunger is installed.

In the PinUp Popper frontend, this button acts as Enter / Select. During gameplay, it launches the ball on supported tables.

Front Cabinet Buttons

Three buttons are located on the front-left side of the cabinet. From top to bottom, they are:

• Coin (Top): Adds credits during gameplay when required by the selected table.
• Add Player (Middle): Starts or adds a player during gameplay.
• Exit / Back (Bottom): Navigates back through the PinUp Popper frontend. During gameplay, pressing this button immediately exits the current table and returns to the frontend without a confirmation screen.

Control Layout Reference

Optional Physical Plunger

If your machine includes the optional physical plunger upgrade, you can use it to launch the ball on compatible pinball tables. The standard Launch Ball button remains available.

Note: Some tables may use different control functions or require additional credits before starting. Available controls and features can vary by game.

Your Ourcade Virtual Pinball machine uses PinUp Popper, a frontend that allows you to browse and launch your available virtual pinball tables.

Browsing Your Pinball Games

• Once your machine finishes starting, PinUp Popper will automatically load.
• Use the left and right flipper buttons to navigate through the available games and menu selections.
• When you find a game you want to play, press the Launch Ball / Enter button to select it.
• Allow the selected game to finish loading before using the cabinet controls.

Starting a Game

• Once the selected pinball table has loaded, use the Coin button to add credits if the game requires them.
• Press the Add Player button to start a game or add additional players, depending on the selected table.
• Use the Launch Ball button to launch the ball. If your machine includes the optional physical plunger, you may also use it on compatible tables.
• Use the left and right flipper buttons to control the flippers during gameplay.

Exiting a Game

To leave a pinball table, press the Exit / Back button located at the bottom of the three-button group on the front-left side of the cabinet.

The current game will close immediately, returning you to the PinUp Popper frontend without an exit confirmation screen.

Returning to Previous Menus

While navigating PinUp Popper, use the Exit / Back button to return to previous menus. The Launch Ball / Enter button is used to confirm selections.

Important: Some pinball tables may have different credit requirements, gameplay features, or supported controls. Not every table will use every available cabinet button or optional upgrade.

Your Ourcade Virtual Pinball machine can be equipped with an optional physical plunger and nudge sensor for a more traditional pinball experience. These features are not required to enjoy your machine and are only available when the corresponding upgrade has been selected.

Physical Plunger

The optional physical plunger allows you to pull back and release a traditional-style pinball plunger to launch the ball on compatible virtual pinball tables.

• Launch a compatible pinball table through the PinUp Popper frontend.
• Start the game using the appropriate cabinet controls.
• When the ball is ready to launch, pull back and release the physical plunger.
• The game will respond according to the table’s supported plunger functionality.

Important: Every Ourcade Virtual Pinball machine includes a Launch Ball button, even when the physical plunger upgrade is installed. You can continue using this button to launch the ball on supported tables.

Nudge Sensor

If your machine includes the optional nudge sensor, compatible pinball tables may respond to physical movement of the cabinet. This allows you to influence the ball’s movement in a way that resembles traditional pinball.

Use only gentle, controlled movements when nudging the cabinet. Avoid excessive force, striking the machine, or lifting it off the floor.

Game Compatibility

Physical plunger and nudge functionality can vary depending on the selected game, its configuration, and supported features. Some tables may rely on the standard cabinet buttons instead.

Having Trouble?

If your physical plunger or nudge controls are not responding, try another compatible table to determine whether the issue is game-specific. If the problem continues, contact Ourcade support for assistance.

Note: Do not change controller calibration settings, disconnect internal hardware, or modify the installed software configuration unless instructed by Ourcade support.

Depending on the upgrades selected when ordering, your Ourcade Virtual Pinball machine may include additional force feedback and lighting effects. These features enhance gameplay by responding to supported in-game events.

Important: The features described below are optional. Your machine will only have the effects that were included in your specific order.

Solenoids

If your machine includes solenoids, you may hear and feel mechanical clicking or knocking effects during compatible gameplay. These effects can simulate the operation of traditional pinball mechanisms.

Solenoids operate automatically when triggered by supported games. No separate cabinet button is required for normal operation.

Shaker Motor

If installed, the shaker motor creates physical vibration effects during supported gameplay events.

The shaker motor operates automatically when triggered by a compatible table. The intensity and frequency of these effects may vary between games.

RGB Playfield Lighting

If your machine includes RGB playfield lighting, the installed LEDs may display colors, patterns, and effects during supported gameplay.

Lighting behavior depends on the selected table and its configured effects.

RGB Undercabinet Lighting

If equipped, RGB undercabinet lighting illuminates the area beneath the pinball cabinet. Depending on the installed configuration, lighting effects may change during supported gameplay.

Beacon

If your machine includes the optional beacon, it may activate during supported gameplay events. Beacon behavior depends on the selected table and its configured effects.

What If an Effect Doesn’t Activate?

Not every pinball table supports every feedback or lighting effect. A feature that works in one game may behave differently or remain inactive in another.

• Confirm that your machine was purchased with the corresponding upgrade.
• Try another pinball table to see whether the effect activates.
• Check whether other installed feedback or lighting features are responding normally.
• If the issue continues across multiple compatible games, contact Ourcade support for assistance.

Important: Do not disconnect internal wiring, change feedback controller settings, or modify installed software without guidance from Ourcade support.

To safely shut down your Ourcade Virtual Pinball machine, follow these steps:

• If you are currently playing a pinball table, press the Exit / Back button to return to the PinUp Popper frontend.
• Continue pressing the Exit / Back button to navigate through the menus until the Shut Down option appears.
• With Shut Down selected, press the Launch Ball / Enter button.
• Allow the PC to complete its shutdown process. Wait until the computer has fully powered off.
• Once the PC is completely shut down, turn off the cabinet’s main power switch located underneath the machine toward the rear.

Important: Never turn off the cabinet’s main power switch while the PC is running. Always shut down through PinUp Popper first to help prevent software or file corruption.

If you experience an issue with your Ourcade Virtual Pinball machine, the troubleshooting steps below may help you identify and resolve common problems.

Important: Before troubleshooting, make sure your machine is powered on correctly and allow Windows and PinUp Popper to finish loading. Do not disconnect internal components or modify system settings unless instructed by Ourcade support.

Machine Will Not Power On

• Confirm the power cable is securely connected to the power inlet underneath the cabinet toward the rear.
• Check that the other end is plugged into a working electrical outlet.
• Make sure the cabinet’s main power switch is in the ON (I) position.
• Use the supplied remote to turn on the main playfield display.
• Press the PC power button and allow the system time to start.

If the machine still does not power on, contact Ourcade support.

Main Playfield Display Is Blank

• Confirm the cabinet and PC are powered on.
• Use the supplied remote to make sure the main playfield display is turned on.
• Allow the PC sufficient time to complete startup.
• If the screen displays a No Signal message or remains blank, contact Ourcade support if the issue continues.

PinUp Popper Does Not Load

PinUp Popper is configured to launch automatically when the PC starts.

• Allow Windows sufficient time to finish loading.
• If PinUp Popper does not appear, wait briefly to make sure the startup process has completed.
• If the problem persists, contact Ourcade support rather than reinstalling or changing the supplied software.

A Pinball Table Will Not Launch

• Return to the PinUp Popper frontend if possible.
• Try launching a different pinball table.
• If other tables work normally, make note of the specific game that is experiencing the issue.
• If multiple games fail to launch, contact Ourcade support with a description of the problem.

Cabinet Buttons Are Not Responding

• Check whether the issue occurs in the PinUp Popper frontend, during gameplay, or both.
• Try navigating with the left and right flipper buttons.
• Test the Launch Ball / Enter button in the frontend.
• If the problem only occurs in one game, try another table to determine whether the issue is game-specific.
• If the controls remain unresponsive, contact Ourcade support.

No Sound During Gameplay

• Try another pinball table to determine whether the issue affects multiple games.
• Check whether audio can be heard in the PinUp Popper frontend.
• If your machine has an accessible amplifier volume control, verify that the volume is not turned all the way down.
• If audio is still missing, contact Ourcade support.

Optional Plunger, Solenoids, Shaker Motor, or Lighting Are Not Working

• Confirm that your machine includes the specific optional upgrade.
• Try another compatible pinball table, since supported effects vary by game.
• Check whether other installed controls or feedback effects are working.
• If the issue continues across multiple compatible tables, contact Ourcade support.

Safety Reminder: Never open electrical enclosures, handle exposed wiring, or attempt repairs while the cabinet is connected to power. Do not modify the PC, feedback controller, or software configuration without instructions from Ourcade support.