CLEVELAND — Steven Kwan’s path to hitting prominence started in his grandmother’s garage, where he fiddled with a rickety, outer space-themed pinball machine. Press the flipper. The ball shoots ...

Pinball machines have something for everyone. They’re engaging, fast-paced games available in a variety of sizes and difficulties, and legend has it that they can be played even while deaf and blind.

The Maryland native grew up playing this at Beltsville Billiards. His paper route didn’t pay much, so he had to rack up enough points to get replays: “I’d ride my bike there sometimes with only four ...