Battleship
WantedFans keep asking for it. No machine has been announced.
#189on the Hype Index, our daily ranking of themes fans want as machines
Peak #178, Oct 2026 · Rank updated Oct 29.
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Naval warfare action meets pinball chaos with explosive ramps and alien invasion multiball madness.
About This Theme
Battleship as a pinball machine theme has generated discussion within the pinball community, though conversations have centered on multiple interpretations of the concept. The property exists in two primary forms: the classic Milton Bradley (now Hasbro) board game dating back to World War I-era pencil-and-paper games, and the 2012 science fiction action film directed by Peter Berg starring Taylor Kitsch, Alexander Skarsgård, and Rihanna. The board game version has remained a cultural touchstone for generations as a simple yet strategic guessing game involving naval warfare, while the film adaptation transformed the concept into an alien invasion spectacle featuring naval combat. Within pinball community discussions, enthusiasts have referenced both versions when considering Battleship pinball machine possibilities, with some forum members specifically proposing the board game as a potential theme due to its nostalgic appeal and gameplay mechanics that could translate to pinball.
The concept of a Battleship pinball machine has appeared in online pinball forums primarily in two contexts: as part of broader discussions about Hasbro board game properties that could work as pinball themes, and in debates about intellectual properties with sufficient mass appeal for commercial pinball production. One detailed proposal suggested gameplay mechanics where players would shoot specific targets to locate hidden ships on the playfield, with randomized ship positions for each game creating variability in strategy. The concept included destroying ships to trigger multiball modes and sinking a battleship as a final wizard mode objective, with two-player competitive modes allowing players to place their own ships using flipper buttons before gameplay begins. However, community reception has been mixed, with some enthusiasts questioning whether the property possesses adequate contemporary cultural relevance for a mass-market pinball release.
A Battleship pinball machine would offer distinct visual and gameplay opportunities depending on which version serves as the primary inspiration. The board game approach could feature a grid-based playfield design with red and white pegs as targets, classic naval destroyer and carrier ship models as toys, and callouts referencing the iconic "hit" and "miss" gameplay phrases. The 2012 film version would provide opportunities for alien spacecraft models, military naval vessels including museum-piece battleships like the USS Missouri featured in the movie, and explosive visual effects through LED lighting. Sound design could incorporate naval warfare audio including cannon fire, sonar pings, torpedo launches, and radio communications, with the film version adding science fiction elements and potential music from the Steve Jablonsky soundtrack. The strategic guessing-game nature of the original board game provides a natural framework for mystery target mechanics and progressive revelation gameplay that could distinguish a Battleship pinball machine from typical licensed properties.
