Maker corner: an interview with Marc Park of Bearcade
In the world of pinball, few things capture the heart of the hobby quite like personalization. Whether it's a subtle touch or a full-blown transformation, mods breathe new life into these beloved machines. We had the pleasure of speaking with Marc Park, the creative force behind Bearcade in Switzerland, whose intricate and imaginative pinball mods are turning heads in the community.
Q: When and why did you begin making pinball mods?
Marc: I started creating pinball mods around 2018, when I bought my first pin, a Bally Goldball. At that time, restoring the machine from the ground up was my main focus — it had a lot of issues, but that’s where it all started. After that, I picked up a Black Knight and a Ghostbusters. That’s when the real modding began.
The Ghostbusters felt too empty to me. I thought, "There should be more figures in here!" I tried making a stack of books using small model books to place next to the captive ball. It actually looked pretty good, but I wanted it to light up with LEDs. That led me to buy a 3D printer and start experimenting. From there, I just kept learning more and more.
Ghostbusters Book Stack by Bearcade
Marc enjoying time away from pinball in his canoe
Q: What do you enjoy about making and selling your creations?
Marc: The real fun for me is in the drawing and constructing. That’s where I really feel the creativity. Over time, I’ve connected with a lot of pinball friends who share their ideas with me, and that exchange is a big part of the enjoyment. The production part can be a grind — some mods take a lot of work to make — but after the creative burst at the beginning, I’d say the packaging is the only part of production that’s still fun. That said, there’s nothing quite like the magic of that first test print or installing a mod for the first time. It never gets old.
Q: Do you have a favorite product?
Marc: That’s a tough one — each project has something special about it. But if I had to choose, I’d say it’s my Ghostbusters book stack with integrated LED lighting. It was my first real modding project and basically set me on the path I’m still on today. I also really enjoy projects that let me use a mix of tools — the 3D printer, the CO2 laser, and ideally, some soldering too. The more hands-on and multi-faceted the process, the more fun I have.
Legends of Valhalla Crystal mod shows off Marc's talent in design and 3D printing
Marc's journey from restoring a single pinball machine to building an entire creative business around modding is a testament to the power of passion and persistence. Through Bearcade, he’s not just modifying machines — he’s adding a spark of imagination that players can experience with every game. Want to check out Marc’s work? Head over to the Bearcade Shop at Mezel Mods and see what magic he’s been crafting lately.