Bones Brigade
WantedFans keep asking for it. No machine has been announced.
#113on the Hype Index, our daily ranking of themes fans want as machines
Peak #33, Apr 2026 · Rank updated Oct 29.
Rate Your Hype
Be the first to rate Bones Brigade.
Legendary 1980s skateboarding team featuring Tony Hawk could inspire trick-based ramps and combo gameplay.
Gallery
About This Theme
Bones Brigade pinball machine discussions have emerged within the pinball community as enthusiasts consider potential skateboarding themes for future releases. The Bones Brigade was a legendary skateboarding team formed under Powell Peralta in the late 1970s and early 1980s, featuring some of the sport's most influential figures including Tony Hawk, Steve Caballero, Rodney Mullen, and Tommy Guerrero. This collective of young skaters revolutionized skateboarding during the 1980s, transforming it from a fringe activity into a cultural phenomenon through innovative tricks, professional competitions, and groundbreaking promotional videos. The team's cultural significance extends beyond sports, representing youth counterculture and athletic artistry that influenced generations of skateboarders and action sports enthusiasts worldwide. The 2012 documentary "Bones Brigade: An Autobiography" further cemented their legacy by chronicling their impact on skateboarding history.
Pinball community discussions about a Bones Brigade pinball machine have surfaced on forums like Pinside, where players debate whether a skateboarding themed game should focus specifically on Tony Hawk's broader appeal or embrace the entire Bones Brigade roster for deeper authenticity. Some community members suggest that while Tony Hawk has greater mainstream name recognition, a Bones Brigade theme would honor the team's collective contributions and resonate more strongly with skateboarding purists and those familiar with 1980s skate culture. Questions have been raised about which manufacturers might pursue such a license, with speculation that the theme's niche appeal could work better for smaller companies willing to target passionate skateboarding fans rather than mass market audiences.
A Bones Brigade pinball machine would offer compelling visual and gameplay opportunities rooted in skateboarding's dynamic aesthetics. The playfield could feature iconic 1980s skate park elements including halfpipes, ramps, and pools as physical ramps and targets, with artwork showcasing the team's distinctive Powell Peralta graphics and vibrant deck designs from that era. Gameplay mechanics could simulate signature tricks from different team members, with modes dedicated to each skater's specialty such as Rodney Mullen's flatland freestyle or Tony Hawk's vert skating. The machine could incorporate actual skateboarding physics through rolling ball mechanisms that mimic grinding rails or catching air off ramps. Sound design would naturally draw from the punk rock and new wave music synonymous with 1980s skateboarding culture, potentially including audio clips from classic Powell Peralta videos and authentic skate sound effects like wheels on concrete and board impacts. The combination of nostalgic 1980s aesthetics, recognizable skateboarding personalities, and action oriented gameplay mechanics would create an energetic pinball experience appealing to both skateboarding enthusiasts and pinball collectors who appreciate cultural themes from that decade.
