SAW
WantedFans keep asking for it. No machine has been announced.
#171on the Hype Index, our daily ranking of themes fans want as machines
Peak #8, Feb 2026 · Rank updated Oct 29.
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Jigsaw's twisted traps and moral choices translate perfectly into tense, strategic pinball gameplay.
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About This Theme
SAW is a horror film franchise that began in 2004 with the release of the original film directed by James Wan and written by Leigh Whannell. The franchise centers around the character John Kramer, also known as Jigsaw, a terminally ill man who places victims in elaborate and often deadly traps designed to test their will to live and appreciation for life. The series has spawned multiple sequels and has become a significant cultural phenomenon in the horror genre, known for its intricate plot twists, moral dilemmas, and graphic depictions of violence. The franchise has achieved commercial success with over a billion dollars in box office revenue worldwide and has influenced the torture horror subgenre that emerged in the mid-2000s. SAW's distinctive visual aesthetic, including its greenish color grading and mechanical trap designs, along with the iconic Billy the Puppet character, have made it a recognizable property in popular culture.
Pinball enthusiasts have expressed interest in SAW as a potential pinball machine theme, with community discussions noting the franchise's suitability for the medium. On pinball forums, fans have specifically mentioned SAW alongside other horror franchises as desirable themes, with at least 15 documented mentions in community discussions. One enthusiast noted that they would love a SAW franchise game, emphasizing "all the mechs and toys you could use in that pin," while others have listed Jigsaw among iconic horror villains like Michael Myers, Freddy Krueger, and Jason Voorhees that would make compelling pinball subjects. The franchise's association with puzzles and games aligns naturally with pinball's mechanical and strategic gameplay, and some community members have even made lighthearted references to jigsaw puzzles in relation to the property.
A SAW pinball machine would offer numerous design opportunities that align well with pinball mechanics and aesthetics. The franchise's elaborate mechanical traps could translate into physical playfield toys and interactive mechanisms, such as rotating devices, drop targets representing different traps, and timed challenges that mirror the life-or-death scenarios from the films. The iconic reverse bear trap, bathroom setting, and Billy the Puppet could serve as central visual elements and potential animatronic features. The color palette of red, black, and industrial gray would create a distinctive cabinet and playfield design. Sound design could incorporate the character's distorted voice recordings, the franchise's recognizable musical theme "Hello Zepp" by Charlie Clouser, and audio clips from memorable scenes. Gameplay modes could be structured around different traps and tests from various films in the series, with multiball features representing the interconnected nature of Jigsaw's games and a wizard mode themed around surviving the ultimate test. The moral choice element central to the films could be incorporated through risk-reward shot selections that affect scoring and progression.
