I couldn't find easy to follow instructions for setting up Visual Pinball X with VPinMAME, so I created one. I've tested these instructions using Windows 11. With these settings, I can run any VPX game at full speed at 2560x1440 resolution on my i9-9900K CPU with a GTX1050Ti video card.
Replace "D:" with whatever drive you prefer in the instructions that follow.
Follow these steps in order.
Download and run "Main.Download.Installer.-.VPX72setup.exe". Install to D:\Visual Pinball.
Example:
Invoke-WebRequest -Uri 'https://github.com/vpinball/vpinball/releases/download/v10.7.2-366-f94da1e/Main.Download.Installer.-.VPX72setup.exe' -OutFile 'VPX72setup.exe'
./VPX72setup.exeDownload and extract "VPinballX-10.8.0-1975-051104c-Release-win-x64.zip" to D:\Visual Pinball, overwriting any existing files.
Example:
Invoke-WebRequest -Uri 'https://github.com/vpinball/vpinball/releases/download/v10.8.0-1975-051104c/VPinballX-10.8.0-1975-051104c-Release-win-x64.zip' -OutFile 'VPinballX-10.8.0-1975-051104c-Release-win-x64.zip'
Expand-Archive -Path 'VPinballX-10.8.0-1975-051104c-Release-win-x64.zip' -DestinationPath 'D:\Visual Pinball' -ForceDownload and extract "VPinMAME-sc-3.6.0-998-a77c2d2-win-x64.zip" to D:\Visual Pinball\VPinMAME, overwriting any existing files.
Example:
Invoke-WebRequest -Uri 'https://github.com/vpinball/pinmame/releases/download/v3.6.0-998-a77c2d2/VPinMAME-sc-3.6.0-998-a77c2d2-win-x64.zip' -OutFile 'VPinMAME-sc-3.6.0-998-a77c2d2-win-x64.zip'
Expand-Archive -Path 'VPinMAME-sc-3.6.0-998-a77c2d2-win-x64.zip' -DestinationPath 'D:\Visual Pinball\VPinMAME' -ForceInstall both of these, if they aren't already installed. This is so that the correct 64-bit versions of the DLL are on the system. Otherwise it tries to load the 32-bit versions of xinput1_3.dll and d3dx9_43.dll that's in the Visual Pinball directory placed by the VPX 10.7.2 installer and then just crash.
- Visual Studio 2013 runtime - choose "vcredist_x64.exe".
- DirectX runtime
See VPX Launcher instructions for installation and use.
Note: Settings are stored in $env:AppData\VPinballX\VPinballX.ini, unless Options > UI Options "Store settings file in same folder as executable" is checked.
cd 'D:\Visual Pinball'
Launch .\VPinballX64.exe.
Press "Cancel" on the "Select a Table" dialog that shows.
Choose Preferences > Video/Graphics Options...
Click "Reset to Defaults", then "Set for High End PC".
- Choose monitor native resolution, color depth AND refresh rate, e.g. "2560 x 1440 (59Hz 16:9)"
- Exclusive full screen
- Under Anti-Aliasing, set "Post-Processed AA" and "Sharpen" to Disabled.
Click "Save Changes" then "Close".
Preferences > Scripting Security Options...
- Always create controls
Note: Settings are stored in HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Freeware\Visual PinMame. Defaults are under the "default" key.
cd 'D:\Visual Pinball\VPinMAME'
Run ./setup64.exe
Click "Install".
Click "OK" on "Global Settings"
On "Default Options" page:
- Skip Pinball Startup Test
- Cabinet Mode
- Show DMD/Display window
Click "OK".
Important: Text should now read "* Visual PinMAME Version ... is currently installed on your computer."
Run the following commands elevated.
New-PSDrive -Name HKCR -PSProvider Registry -Root HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT
New-ItemProperty -Path 'HKCR:.VPX' -Name '(Default)' -Value 'vpx_file'
New-Item -Path 'HKCR:vpx_file'
New-Item -Path 'HKCR:vpx_file\shell'
New-Item -Path 'HKCR:vpx_file\shell\open'
New-Item -Path 'HKCR:vpx_file\shell\open\command'
New-ItemProperty -Path 'HKCR:vpx_file\shell\open\command' -Name '(Default)' -Value '"D:\Visual Pinball\VPinballX64.exe" -ExtMinimized -Play "%1"'Download Champion Pub (Williams 1998) and copy "Champion Pub (Williams 1998) v1.43.vpx" to D:\Visual Pinball\Tables.
cd 'D:\Visual Pinball\Tables'
& '.\Champion Pub (Williams 1998) v1.43.vpx'This should fail indicating "Champion Pub, the (1.6)" (cp_16) ROMs are missing.
To fix, download Champion Pub (1.6) - ROM - cp_16.zip and copy (not extract) the ZIP file to D:\Visual Pinball\VPinMAME\roms.
The next time you start the table, it should work fine.
| Button | Key |
|---|---|
| Insert Coin | 5 |
| Start Button | 1 |
| Left Flipper | L Shift |
| Right Flipper | R Shift |
| Plunger | Enter |
| Left Nudge | Z |
| Fwd Nudge | Space |
| Right Nudge | / |
| Left Magna Save | L Ctrl |
| Right Magna Save | R Ctrl |
| Lock bar Fire | Menu |
| Custom 1 | Up |
| Custom 2 (e.g. Plunger Strength) | Down |
| Custom 3 | Left |
| Custom 4 | Right |
| Mech Tilt | T |
| Exit Game | Q (twice) |
| Pause | P (or ESC) |
| Volume - | - |
| Volume + | = |
| Button | Key |
|---|---|
| VPinMAME Settings | F1 |
| Key Assignment List | F2 |
| VPM Restart | F3 |
| Table Options | F6 |
| Debug/Perf Info | F11 |
| Tweak | F12 |
VPM Restart: If you see "Factory settings restored - bookkeeping totals cleared" message on a machine, press the "VPM Restart" key to get the machine ready to accept coins.
Links to some high quality verified tables. Extract/Copy all VPX files to D:\Visual Pinball\Tables.
ROM set (if needed) is also named. Copy (not extract) the ROM ZIP file to D:\Visual Pinball\VPinMAME\roms.
| Table | Manufacturer | Year | ROM |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8 Ball | Williams | 1966 | |
| AC/DC | Stern | 2013 | acd_170h |
| Addams Family | Bally | 1992 | taf_l7 |
| Adventures of Rocky and Bullwinkle and Friends | Data East | 1993 | rab_320 |
| Ali | Stern | 1980 | ali |
| Amazing Spider-Man Classic Edition | Stern | 2016 | smanve_101 |
| Apollo 13 | Sega | 1995 | apollo13 |
| Atlantis | Bally | 1989 | atlantis |
| Attack from Mars | Bally | 1995 | afm_113b |
| Austin Powers | Stern | 2001 | austin |
| Bad Cats | Williams | 1989 | bcats_l5 |
| Bally Game Show | Bally | 1990 | gs_la3 |
| Banzai Run | Williams | 1988 | bnzai_l3 |
| Barracora | Williams | 1981 | barra_l1 |
| Batman | Data East | 1991 | btmn_106 |
| Big Bang Bar | Capcom | 1996 | bbb109 |
| Big Brave | Gottlieb" | 1974 | |
| Big Buck Hunter Pro | Stern | 2010 | bbh_170 |
| Black Knight | Williams | 1980 | bk_l4 |
| Black Rose | Bally | 1992 | br_l4 |
| Bobby Orr Power Play Hockey | Bally | 1977 | pwerplay |
| Bone Busters Inc. | Gottlieb | 1989 | bonebstr |
| Bram Stoker's Dracula | Williams | 1993 | drac_l1 |
| Breakshot | Capcom | 1996 | bsv103 |
| Bugs Bunny's Birthday Ball | Bally | 1991 | bbnny_l2 |
| Cactus Canyon | Bally | 1998 | cc_13 |
| Cactus Jacks | Gottlieb | 1991 | cactjack |
| Capersville | Bally | 1966 | |
| Capt. Fantastic and The Brown Dirt Cowboy | Bally | 1976 | |
| Card Whiz aka Royal Flush | Gottlieb | 1976 | |
| Centigrade 37 | Gottlieb | 1977 | |
| Champion Pub | Williams | 1998 | cp_16 |
| Checkpoint | Data East | 1991 | ckpt_a17 |
| Cheetah | Stern | 1980 | cheetah2 |
| Circus | Gottlieb | 1980 | circus7 |
| Cirqus Voltaire | Bally | 1997 | cv_20h |
| Class of 1812 | Gottlieb | 1991 | clas1812 |
| Congo | Williams | 1995 | congo_21 |
| Creature from the Black Lagoon | Bally | 1992 | cftbl_l4 |
| Deadly Weapon | Gottlieb | 1990 | deadweap |
| Diner | Williams | 1990 | diner_l4 |
| Dr. Dude & His Excellent Ray | Bally | 1990 | dd_l2 |
| Earthshaker | Williams | 1989 | esha_la3 |
| Eight Ball Deluxe | Bally | 1981 | eballdlx |
| El Dorado | Gottlieb | 1975 | |
| Elektra | Bally | 1981 | elektra |
| Elvira and the Party Monsters | Bally | 1989 | eatpm_l4 |
| Elvis | Stern | 2004 | elvis |
| Embryon | Bally | 1981 | embryond |
| Evel Knievel | Bally | 1977 | evelknie |
| Fathom | Bally | 1981 | fathom |
| Fireball | Bally | 1972 | |
| Fish Tales | Williams | 1992 | ft_l5 |
| Flash Gordon | Bally | 1981 | flashgdn |
| Flash | Williams | 1979 | flash_l1 |
| Flintstones | Williams | 1994 | fs_lx5 |
| Four Million B.C. | Bally | 1971 | |
| Freddy a Nightmare on Elm Street | Gottlieb | 1994 | freddy |
| Genesis | Gottlieb | 1986 | genesis |
| Genie | Gottlieb | 1979 | genie |
| Gigi | Gottlieb | 1963 | |
| Gilligan's Island | Bally | 1991 | gi_l9 |
| Godzilla | Sega | 1998 | godzilla |
| Goldeneye | Sega | 1996 | gldneye |
| Gorgar | Williams | 1979 | grgar_l1 |
| Guns N' Roses | Data East | 1994 | gnr_300 |
| Harlem Globetrotters On Tour | Bally | 1979 | hglbtrtb |
| Haunted House | Gottlieb | 1982 | hh |
| Heat Wave | Williams | 1964 | |
| High Speed | Williams | 1986 | hs_l4 |
| Indiana Jones: The Pinball Adventure | Williams | 1993 | ij_l7 |
| Indianapolis 500 | Bally | 1995 | i500_11r |
| Iron Man Vault Edition | Stern | 2014 | im_185ve |
| Jet Spin | Gottlieb | 1977 | |
| Johnny Mnemonic | Williams | 1995 | jm_12r |
| Jokerz! | Williams | 1988 | jokrz_l6 |
| Judge Dredd | Bally | 1993 | jd_l1 |
| Jungle Lord | Williams | 1981 | jngld_l2 |
| Jurassic Park | Data East | 1993 | jupk_600 |
| King of Diamonds | Gottlieb | 1967 | |
| KISS | Bally | 1979 | kissc |
| Lady Luck | Bally | 1986 | ladyluck |
| Laser War | Data East | 1987 | lwar_a83 |
| Last Action Hero | Data East | 1993 | lah_113 |
| Lawman | Gottlieb | 1971 | |
| Lethal Weapon 3 | Data East | 1992 | lw3_208 |
| Lord of the Rings | Stern | 2003 | lotr |
| Machine: Bride of Pin·bot | Williams | 1991 | bop_l7 |
| Magic City | Williams | 1967 | |
| Maverick | Data East | 1994 | mav_402 |
| Medieval Madness | Williams | 1997 | mm_109c |
| Metallica | Stern | 2013 | mtl_180h |
| Monster Bash | Williams | 1998 | mb_106b |
| Mustang | Stern | 2014 | mt_145h |
| NBA Fastbreak | Bally | 1997 | nbaf_31 |
| No Fear: Dangerous Sports | Williams | 1995 | nf_23x |
| Operation Thunder | Gottlieb | 1992 | opthund |
| Outer Space | Gottlieb | 1972 | |
| OXO | Williams | 1973 | |
| Party Zone | Bally | 1991 | pz_f4 |
| Pat Hand | Williams | 1975 | |
| Phantom of the Opera | Data East | 1990 | poto_a32 |
| Police Force | Williams | 1989 | polic_l4 |
| Popeye Saves the Earth | Bally | 1994 | pop_lx5 |
| Quicksilver | Stern | 1980 | quicksil |
| Radical | Bally | 1990 | radcl_l1 |
| Red & Ted's Road Show | Williams | 1994 | rs_l6 |
| Rescue 911 | Gottleb | 1994 | rescu911 |
| Ripley's Believe it or Not | Stern | 2004 | ripleys |
| Road Race | Gottlieb | 1969 | |
| Robocop | Data East | 1989 | robo_a34 |
| Robot | Zaccaria | 1985 | robot |
| RollerCoaster Tycoon | Stern | 2002 | rctycn |
| Safe Cracker | Bally | 1996 | sc_18n11 |
| Simpsons Pinball Party | Stern | 2003 | simpprty |
| Sing Along | Gottlieb | 1967 | |
| Slick Chick | Gottlieb | 1963 | |
| Sopranos | Stern | 2005 | sopranos |
| Sorcerer | Williams | 1985 | sorcr_l2 |
| Space Mission | Williams | 1976 | |
| Star Trek: The Next Generation | Williams | 1993 | sttng_l7 |
| Star Wars | Data East | 1992 | stwr_107 |
| Stargod | Zaccaria | 1980 | stargoda |
| Starship Troopers | Sega | 1997 | startrp2 |
| Stellar Wars | Williams | 1979 | stlwr_l2 |
| Stingray | Stern | 1977 | stingray |
| Surfer | Gottlieb | 1976 | |
| Tales from the Crypt | Data East | 1993 | tftc_400 |
| Tales of the Arabian Nights | Williams | 1996 | totan_14 |
| Tee'd Off | Gottlieb | 1993 | teedoff3 |
| Terminator 2: Judgment Day | Williams | 1991 | t2_l8 |
| Transformers | Stern | 2011 | tf_180 |
| Tron Legacy | Stern | 2011 | |
| Twilight Zone | Bally | 1993 | tz_94h |
| Twister | Sega | 1996 | twst_405 |
| Victory | Gottlieb | 1987 | victory |
| Walking Dead | Stern | 2014 | twd_160h |
| Wheel of Fortune | Stern | 2007 | wof_500 |
| White Water | Williams | 1993 | ww_lh6 |
| Who Dunnit | Bally | 1995 | wd_12 |
| Who's Tommy Pinball Wizard | Data East | 1994 | tomy_500 |
| Whoa Nellie! | Stern | 2015 | |
| World Cup Soccer | Bally | 1994 | wcs_l2 |
| X-Men | Stern | 2012 | xmn_151h |
DirectB2S files are "Background to 2nd Screen" files, which allow for animated back glass to be sent to a second screen. This is useful for dedicated machines, or perhaps if you want an animated back glass on a second monitor.
I don't recommend using B2S on a single monitor setup.
See the B2S Wiki for more details.
To install, download B2S Server and extract to D:\Visual Pinball\B2S server.
Example:
Invoke-WebRequest -Uri 'https://github.com/vpinball/b2s-backglass/releases/download/v2.1.2/B2SServer-2.1.2-win.zip' -OutFile 'B2SServer-2.1.2-win.zip'
Expand-Archive -Path 'B2SServer-2.1.2-win.zip' -DestinationPath 'D:\Visual Pinball\B2S server' -ForceRun "./B2SBackglassServerRegisterApp.exe". It will elevate. If it asks you to re-register, choose "Yes".
If it asks you to register the context menu, choose "No".
Run "B2S_ScreenResIdentifier.exe" in Tables folder.
Example:
cd 'd:\Visual Pinball\Tables`
& 'd:\Visual Pinball\B2s server\B2S_ScreenResIdentifier.exe'Set up configuration for your display configuration.
Ensure "generate comments" and "Enhanced res file" are checked, and press "Save settings".
You will now have a "ScreenRes.txt" file in your Tables folder, which B2S uses to determine where to place the background window.
If you decide you don't want B2S Server functionality, there's no built-in uninstall, but you can do the following in an elevated PowerShell to remove it.
reg.exe DELETE 'HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\{09E233A3-CC79-457A-B49E-F637588891E5}' /F
reg.exe DELETE 'HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\B2S.Server' /FIn the Visual Pinball folder, there are other files. They're for playing older tables incompatible with the latest VPX. Here's what they are:
- VPinball8.exe - version 0.8.9506
- VPinball921.exe - version 9.2.1
- VPinball99_PhysMod5_Updated.exe - version 9.9.0 (Physmod5 AccelMod PlungerMod SurroundMod)
- VPinball995.exe - version 9.9.5
- VPinballX.exe - version 10.7.2 Final (Revision 366, f94da1e, 32bit)
- VPinballX64.exe - latest version
If everything is working for you with VPinballX64 (as it should), ignore all of those other versions.
Use: VPinballX64.exe -ExtractVBS [VPX_filename]. A VBS file will be created in the current directory.
A set of pages I've found useful.
- Visual Pinball X releases
- PinMAME Releases
- VPX Pinball Tables (VPUniverse)
- PinMAME ROMs
- VPX Tables by VPinWorkshop
- VPX Tables by EMUnderdogs
- Visual Pinball Installation Guide
- Alphabetical Listing of VPM tables w/Links to Tutorials
- Super's Guide to Visual Pinball
- IPDB Top 300 Rated Pinball Machines
- Virtual Pinball Spreadsheet - choose [X] Features: VPX on left-hand side.
You probably want to right click zip files and "unblock" them before extracting.