# The 150 Most Historically Significant Pinball Machines
by [Joe Ciaravino](/author/joe-ciaravino) · August 19, 2026 · [Pinball History](/news/category/pinball-history)

> 154 years of pinball firsts: from an 1871 bagatelle patent to the largest homebrew ever built.

For over a hundred years the game of pinball has been delighting and fascinating generations of pinball players, enthusiasts and collectors. Being an intrinsically physical form of entertainment, it has undergone many technological innovations. From the first simple analog tabletop game to an extraordinarily complicated hybrid of circuitry and mechanical engineering, pinball has evolved leaps and bounds whilst still maintaining its nostalgic charm. I have carefully researched and compiled the following list of the 150 most historically significant pinball machines throughout the ever-developing saga of this wonderful game that captures our attention and brings us together in the spirit of social competition.

## Pure Mechanical

### Parlour Bagatelle Table (1871)

*Redgrave & Wilson — Montague Redgrave*

![Parlour Bagatelle Table pinball flyer, Redgrave & Wilson, 1871](https://admin.kineticist.com/assets/7e5c7d10-adae-4023-983f-50cc845dd2b2.jpg?width=680&height=520)

*Parlour Bagatelle Table flyer*

First patent for a spring plunger and an inclined playfield.

### Baffle Ball (1931)

*[D. Gottlieb & Company](https://www.kineticist.com/manufacturers/d-gottlieb--co) — David Gottlieb*

![Baffle Ball pinball flyer, D. Gottlieb & Company, 1931](https://admin.kineticist.com/assets/d448700f-abc6-4071-ad0b-19fb2c34adbc.jpg?width=680&height=520)

*Baffle Ball flyer*

First mass-produced coin-operated pinball. First game to sell over 50,000 units.

### Whiffle (1931)

*Automatic Industries, Incorporated — Arthur L. Paulin and Earl W. Froom*

![Whiffle pinball flyer, Automatic Industries, Incorporated, 1931](https://admin.kineticist.com/assets/72501075-5ccc-43c9-a3e5-46d51872a8b9.jpg?width=680&height=0)

*Whiffle flyer*

First commercial pinball machine with a coin slot.

### Ballyhoo (1932)

*[Bally Manufacturing Corporation](https://www.kineticist.com/manufacturers/bally-manufacturing-co) — Oliver Van Tuyl and Oscar Bloom*

![Ballyhoo pinball flyer, Bally Manufacturing Corporation, 1932](https://admin.kineticist.com/assets/64e5fa7a-dbc5-4d3a-8187-15ac73077aa5.jpg?width=680&height=0)

*Ballyhoo flyer*

First game by Bally Manufacturing. sold 50,000 units. Design incorrectly attributed to Bally's owner, Raymond Maloney.

### Double Shuffle (1932)

*Ad-Lee Company — Charles Gravatt*

![Double Shuffle pinball flyer, Ad-Lee Company, 1932](https://admin.kineticist.com/assets/42179d54-638e-4847-ac0a-c1e202afccaf.jpg?width=680&height=0)

*Double Shuffle flyer*

First game to feature manually activated playing arms that were used as "flippers".

### Jig-alo Electro-Ball (1932)

*Electro-Ball Company, Incorporated*

![Jig-alo Electro-Ball countertop pinball machine, its spinning disc at the centre of the playfield, Electro-Ball Company, Incorporated, 1932](https://admin.kineticist.com/assets/e99538c7-59c6-40b3-b37c-6a19a6ad0035.jpg?width=680&height=520)

*Jig-alo Electro-Ball*

First pinball machine to feature a spinning disc.

### Official (1932)

*Mills Novelty Company*

![Official pinball flyer, Mills Novelty Company, 1932](https://admin.kineticist.com/assets/400d9936-1fd1-4553-a316-4bc63e092404.jpg?width=680&height=520)

*Official flyer*

First pinball machine to be advertised as a "Pin Ball" or "Pin Table".

### Whirls Fair (1933)

*K & F Specialty Company*

![Whirls Fair pinball flyer, K & F Specialty Company, 1933](https://admin.kineticist.com/assets/fbdce0ea-3771-47be-b152-c82848fa351c.jpg?width=680&height=0)

*Whirls Fair flyer*

The K. & F. Tilt Indicator was the first patented Anti-Tilting device.

### Advance (1933)

*Automatic Amusements Company — [Harry Williams](https://www.kineticist.com/people/harry-williams)*

![Harry Williams, designer of Advance, Automatic Amusements Company, 1933](https://admin.kineticist.com/assets/25ab17dd-fc73-49c1-9bb7-928fdc50d805.jpg?width=680&height=520)

*[Harry Williams](https://www.kineticist.com/people/harry-williams), who designed Advance*

First complete game Harry Williams designed and the first to feature his now-famous "stool pigeon" tilt mechanism which featured a ball resting on top of a post, inside a metal cup, mounted within the player's view. If the game was moved forcefully enough to knock the ball off the post during play, then the score was considered invalid.

### Airway (1933)

*[Bally Manufacturing Corporation](https://www.kineticist.com/manufacturers/bally-manufacturing-co) — Herbert G. Breitenstein*

![Airway pinball flyer, Bally Manufacturing Corporation, 1933](https://admin.kineticist.com/assets/cdaadaa3-3b3d-49ad-9889-26ea0ba3918a.jpg?width=680&height=520)

*Airway flyer*

First pin game with a (non-electric) score totalizer.

## Electro-Mechanical

### Contact (1933)

*Pacific Amusement Manufacturing Company — [Harry Williams](https://www.kineticist.com/people/harry-williams)*

![Contact pinball flyer, Pacific Amusement Manufacturing Company, 1933](https://admin.kineticist.com/assets/9ba7b2cc-24e5-431a-b332-00782a4d9748.jpg?width=680&height=0)

*Contact flyer*

First electro-mechanical pinball machine. This game used a dry cell battery-powered solenoid to kick the ball back out of the scoring holes, along with a buzzer for scoring features.

### Jack and Jill (1933)

*[Bally Manufacturing Corporation](https://www.kineticist.com/manufacturers/bally-manufacturing-co)*

![Jack and Jill pinball flyer, Bally Manufacturing Corporation, 1933](https://admin.kineticist.com/assets/457d68b7-b9fc-4894-b0b7-ca97b3100e48.jpg?width=680&height=520)

*Jack and Jill flyer*

First dual-playfield setup encouraged head-to-head competition on the same machine.

### Rocket (1933)

*[Bally Manufacturing Corporation](https://www.kineticist.com/manufacturers/bally-manufacturing-co) — Herbert G. Breitenstein*

![Rocket pinball flyer, Bally Manufacturing Corporation, 1933](https://admin.kineticist.com/assets/261b80e1-9aba-43c9-9432-8c6d7409a9a8.jpg?width=680&height=0)

*Rocket flyer*

First automatic payout machine. First electronic score totalizer.

### The World's Fair Jigsaw (1933)

*Rock-ola Manufacturing Corporation — David Rockola*

![The World's Fair Jigsaw pinball flyer, Rock-ola Manufacturing Corporation, 1933](https://admin.kineticist.com/assets/f4d2f756-aeee-40c0-928b-370b91c6d406.jpg?width=680&height=520)

*The World's Fair Jigsaw flyer*

Record holder for the highest production pinball machine of all time. Approximately 70,000 units produced.

### American Beauty (1934)

*Daval Manufacturing Company — Ralph Fletcher*

![American Beauty playfield on a workbench during restoration, its rosette score dial at the centre, Daval Manufacturing Company, 1934](https://admin.kineticist.com/assets/52e1c1d1-3392-4301-b6aa-5468bad1b1b0.jpg?width=680&height=0)

*American Beauty playfield, part-way through a restoration*

First pinball machine with a "catapult" mech that would launch the ball up the playfield. First game to feature a plumb bob tilt mechanism within the cabinet. One of the earliest games to count how many balls had been played.

### Live Power (1934)

*Dudley-Clark Company*

![Live Power pinball flyer, Dudley-Clark Company, 1934](https://admin.kineticist.com/assets/cdfaaf39-912d-46be-a3f3-9422c40242ee.jpg?width=680&height=520)

*Live Power flyer*

First flipperless electro-mechanical game with multiball featuring "Accumulator Balls".

### Register (1934)

*[D. Gottlieb & Company](https://www.kineticist.com/manufacturers/d-gottlieb--co)*

![Register pinball flyer, D. Gottlieb & Company, 1934](https://admin.kineticist.com/assets/b9fdbc0e-7ef1-4c14-84c9-32e72bdee2a5.jpg?width=680&height=520)

*Register flyer*

First pinball with a progressive score counter that automatically tallied up a player's total score.

### Subway (1934)

*[Genco Manufacturing Company](https://www.kineticist.com/manufacturers/genco-manufacturing-co) — [Harvey Heiss](https://www.kineticist.com/people/harvey-heiss)*

![Subway pinball flyer, Genco Manufacturing Company, 1934](https://admin.kineticist.com/assets/f754578f-a054-4ccd-b107-36d67e6a2a62.jpg?width=680&height=0)

*Subway flyer*

First game to feature a subway for the ball to travel below the playfield from one side of the game to the other.

### Big Game (1935)

*Rock-ola Manufacturing Corporation*

![Big Game pinball machine photographed for a trade-press pictorial history, Rock-ola Manufacturing Corporation, 1935](https://admin.kineticist.com/assets/875dae8a-4b96-4710-a537-35b52ff0b61b.jpg?width=680&height=520)

*Big Game, from a 1974 trade-press retrospective*

First game with "synthesized" sound. First game with a solenoid actuated "knocker".

### Criss Cross 'A' Lite (1935)

*[Genco Manufacturing Company](https://www.kineticist.com/manufacturers/genco-manufacturing-co) — [Harvey Heiss](https://www.kineticist.com/people/harvey-heiss)*

![Criss Cross 'A' Lite pinball flyer, Genco Manufacturing Company, 1935](https://admin.kineticist.com/assets/fdbb69c2-8788-4e1e-9ca9-8861b1fee169.jpg?width=680&height=520)

*Criss Cross 'A' Lite flyer*

First illuminated backglass known in the early days as a "Marquee".

### Cyclone (1935)

*[D. Gottlieb & Company](https://www.kineticist.com/manufacturers/d-gottlieb--co) — Jack Firestone*

![Cyclone pinball flyer, D. Gottlieb & Company, 1935](https://admin.kineticist.com/assets/4eba1af9-1e5e-44e4-b749-560b81c8fbde.jpg?width=680&height=520)

*Cyclone flyer*

First game with an automatic electric ball lift that served the next ball to the shooter lane. This was an optional feature which came with an additional cost. First game with flashing playfield lights.

### Neontact (1935)

*Pacific Amusement Manufacturing Company*

![Neontact pinball flyer, Pacific Amusement Manufacturing Company, 1935](https://admin.kineticist.com/assets/9b0b4e17-ea5b-42c0-aa87-211b950bbe94.jpg?width=680&height=520)

*Neontact flyer*

First backglass illuminated with neon light.

### Spit Fire (1935)

*[Genco Manufacturing Company](https://www.kineticist.com/manufacturers/genco-manufacturing-co) — [Harvey Heiss](https://www.kineticist.com/people/harvey-heiss)*

![Spit Fire pinball flyer, Genco Manufacturing Company, 1935](https://admin.kineticist.com/assets/ffc3ef28-7ada-478a-9640-bf9a844389df.jpg?width=680&height=520)

*Spit Fire flyer*

First example of an "elevated runway" which was a wireform track that guided the ball similar to a modern habitrail.

### Zoom (1935)

*Stoner Manufacturing Corporation*

![Zoom pinball flyer, Stoner Manufacturing Corporation, 1935](https://admin.kineticist.com/assets/3f176be0-f5fe-4538-b2fa-9f41f32773f0.jpg?width=680&height=0)

*Zoom flyer*

First sculpted 3D toy on the playfield.

### Bolo (1936)

*Pacent Novelty Manufacturing Company — W. Van Stoeser*

![Bolo pinball flyer, Pacent Novelty Manufacturing Company, 1936](https://admin.kineticist.com/assets/ae05ca9d-e285-4b82-8c9a-972f63bc81e6.jpg?width=680&height=520)

*Bolo flyer*

First game to feature bumper targets to electronically register score. (contrary to popular belief that Bally's Bumper was the first).

### Bumper (1936)

*[Bally Manufacturing Corporation](https://www.kineticist.com/manufacturers/bally-manufacturing-co) — Donald Hooker*

![Bumper pinball flyer, Bally Manufacturing Corporation, 1936](https://admin.kineticist.com/assets/9e5e62c8-4305-40df-b774-94754f0a4c07.jpg?width=680&height=0)

*Bumper flyer*

First electric spiral-wire/spring bumpers.

### Archer (1937)

*[Genco Manufacturing Company](https://www.kineticist.com/manufacturers/genco-manufacturing-co) — [Harvey Heiss](https://www.kineticist.com/people/harvey-heiss)*

![Archer pinball machine, its backglass showing archers at the targets, Genco Manufacturing Company, 1937](https://admin.kineticist.com/assets/4fe41e4e-bd78-4bb5-b92d-3f4f409dae47.jpg?width=680&height=520)

*Archer*

First game to prominently feature a woman on the playfield and backglass.

### Confucius Say (1937)

*Rotor Table Games Co, Incorporated*

![A Cash Box advertisement for reconditioned rotor table games, four people playing at a round cocktail cabinet, Rotor Table Games Co, Incorporated, 1937](https://admin.kineticist.com/assets/94996d6e-124a-4c73-be67-935323d98986.jpg?width=680&height=520)

*Confucius Say's cabinet, offered secondhand in The Cash Box*

First cocktail table style pinball machine cabinet design with rotating playfield under the glass.

### Dux (1937)

*[Chicago Coin Machine Manufacturing Company](https://www.kineticist.com/manufacturers/chicago-coin-machine-mfg-co) — [Jerry Koci](https://www.kineticist.com/people/jerry-koci)*

![Dux pinball flyer, Chicago Coin Machine Manufacturing Company, 1937](https://admin.kineticist.com/assets/79baf1e3-6957-459b-8177-a329d42f5860.jpg?width=680&height=520)

*Dux flyer*

First game with a physically animated backbox element (AKA a "Backboard").

### Lightning (1938)

*[Exhibit Supply Company](https://www.kineticist.com/manufacturers/exhibit-supply-company) — [Harry Williams](https://www.kineticist.com/people/harry-williams)*

![Lightning pinball flyer, Exhibit Supply Company, 1938](https://admin.kineticist.com/assets/a3f5f0bb-3aec-4862-b5c3-5d7aad5007de.jpg?width=680&height=520)

*Lightning flyer*

First game with electromagnets under the playfield that influence the path of the ball. Seven electromagnets were placed just beneath the playfield give action to the ball as it travels down the playfield. The electromagnets stayed on continuously and never pulsed off.

### Nippy (1939)

*[Chicago Coin Machine Manufacturing Company](https://www.kineticist.com/manufacturers/chicago-coin-machine-mfg-co)*

![Nippy pinball machine photographed from the front, its backglass showing a seaside scene, Chicago Coin Machine Manufacturing Company, 1939](https://admin.kineticist.com/assets/41c60d50-c703-404f-963f-c60dfdc816dc.jpg?width=680&height=520)

*Nippy*

First game with end-of-ball bonus ladder scoring.

### Humpty Dumpty (1947)

*[D. Gottlieb & Company](https://www.kineticist.com/manufacturers/d-gottlieb--co) — [Harry Mabs](https://www.kineticist.com/people/harry-mabs)*

![Humpty Dumpty pinball flyer, D. Gottlieb & Company, 1947](https://admin.kineticist.com/assets/e32134df-e5ca-45b8-b24b-63493abec81e.jpg?width=680&height=520)

*[Humpty Dumpty](https://www.kineticist.com/games/pinball/humpty-dumpty-1947) flyer*

First game to feature electro-mechanical flippers called "Flipper Bumpers".

### Saratoga (1948)

*[Williams Manufacturing Company](https://www.kineticist.com/manufacturers/williams-electronic-games-inc) — [Harry Williams](https://www.kineticist.com/people/harry-williams)*

![Saratoga pinball flyer, Williams Manufacturing Company, 1948](https://admin.kineticist.com/assets/a46429eb-44e0-425b-87a6-b19e118e0427.jpg?width=680&height=0)

*[Saratoga](https://www.kineticist.com/games/pinball/saratoga-1948) flyer*

First pinball machine to feature an active bumper which used a metal ring to repel the ball, identified in the manufacturer's flyer as a “Thumper Bumpers”.

### Triple Action (1948)

*[Genco Manufacturing Company](https://www.kineticist.com/manufacturers/genco-manufacturing-co) — [Steve Kordek](https://www.kineticist.com/people/steve-kordek)*

![Triple Action pinball flyer, Genco Manufacturing Company, 1948](https://admin.kineticist.com/assets/7963f9ac-2eda-4a20-9187-3a097a21fe31.jpg?width=680&height=520)

*[Triple Action](https://www.kineticist.com/games/pinball/triple-action-1948) flyer*

First game to have 2 flippers at the bottom of the playfield on either side of the centre drain (flipping outwards).

### St. Louis (1949)

*[Williams Manufacturing Company](https://www.kineticist.com/manufacturers/williams-electronic-games-inc) — [Harry Williams](https://www.kineticist.com/people/harry-williams)*

![St. Louis pinball flyer, Williams Manufacturing Company, 1949](https://admin.kineticist.com/assets/a4f39f35-2f65-4f43-90f5-da2acc1d5e14.jpg?width=680&height=520)

*[St. Louis](https://www.kineticist.com/games/pinball/st-louis-1949) flyer*

Replay adjustment system marketed as "Handicap Scoring" which is an operator adjustment to progressively increase or decrease the score threshold for a replay based on previous game scores. What later would be known as "auto-percentaging" in the solid state era.

### Miss Annabelle (1950)

*[D. Gottlieb & Company](https://www.kineticist.com/manufacturers/d-gottlieb--co) — [Wayne Neyens](https://www.kineticist.com/people/wayne-neyens)*

![Miss Annabelle pinball flyer, D. Gottlieb & Company, 1950](https://admin.kineticist.com/assets/30cf8e6c-f012-4a7e-96f4-e6502d8aecbf.jpg?width=680&height=520)

*Miss Annabelle flyer*

First game with a grand champion "Score To Beat" window allowing the operator to place a card behind the backglass showing a suggested high score visible to the player.

### Spot Bowler (1950)

*[D. Gottlieb & Company](https://www.kineticist.com/manufacturers/d-gottlieb--co) — [Wayne Neyens](https://www.kineticist.com/people/wayne-neyens)*

![Spot Bowler pinball flyer, D. Gottlieb & Company, 1950](https://admin.kineticist.com/assets/dfb87ffa-1ac6-448d-9fe7-d9fc805396c8.jpg?width=680&height=520)

*[Spot Bowler](https://www.kineticist.com/games/pinball/spot-bowler-1950) flyer*

First pinball game to have two flippers facing inward towards each other in the modern orientation at the bottom of the playfield.

### The 4 Horsemen (1950)

*[D. Gottlieb & Company](https://www.kineticist.com/manufacturers/d-gottlieb--co) — [Wayne Neyens](https://www.kineticist.com/people/wayne-neyens)*

![The 4 Horsemen pinball flyer, D. Gottlieb & Company, 1950](https://admin.kineticist.com/assets/4559d08a-dd86-40f6-8e9b-f4f045e3967e.jpg?width=680&height=520)

*[The 4 Horsemen](https://www.kineticist.com/games/pinball/the-4-horsemen-1950) flyer*

First Blocking Gate/Safety Gate that allowed the player to have a minimum score before they drained. Earliest example of a ball saving device in pinball.

### A-B-C (1951)

*[United Manufacturing](https://www.kineticist.com/manufacturers/united-manufacturing-co) — Lyn Durant*

![A-B-C pinball flyer, United Manufacturing, 1951](https://admin.kineticist.com/assets/cf48d976-0561-4e9d-90b2-b8a543005c98.jpg?width=680&height=520)

*A-B-C flyer*

First BINGO style pinball machine.

### Bright Lights (1951)

*[Bally Manufacturing Corporation](https://www.kineticist.com/manufacturers/bally-manufacturing-co) — [Don Hooker](https://www.kineticist.com/people/don-hooker)*

![Bright Lights pinball flyer, Bally Manufacturing Corporation, 1951](https://admin.kineticist.com/assets/0381725b-e5d2-459d-bf5a-5b4c4d93deca.jpg?width=680&height=520)

*Bright Lights flyer*

First successful BINGO standard style pinball machine by Bally.

### Double Action (1951)

*[Genco Manufacturing Company](https://www.kineticist.com/manufacturers/genco-manufacturing-co)*

![Double Action pinball flyer, Genco Manufacturing Company, 1951](https://admin.kineticist.com/assets/aedfa22a-f4fb-484b-bb92-f513bde19f4c.jpg?width=680&height=520)

*[Double Action](https://www.kineticist.com/games/pinball/double-action-1951) flyer*

First pinball machine with a playable, interactive backbox AKA "Back Rack".

### Horsefeathers (1952)

*[Williams Manufacturing Company](https://www.kineticist.com/manufacturers/williams-electronic-games-inc) — [Harry Williams](https://www.kineticist.com/people/harry-williams)*

![Horsefeathers two-player machine photographed against white, no advertising copy, Williams Manufacturing Company, 1952](https://admin.kineticist.com/assets/cd68d03b-b451-4a41-ba4b-c1fe150042f6.jpg?width=680&height=520)

*[Horsefeathers](https://www.kineticist.com/games/pinball/horsefeathers-1952)*

First dedicated 2-player pinball machine by Williams.

### Army Navy (1953)

*[Williams Manufacturing Company](https://www.kineticist.com/manufacturers/williams-electronic-games-inc) — [Harry Williams](https://www.kineticist.com/people/harry-williams)*

![Army Navy pinball flyer, Williams Manufacturing Company, 1953](https://admin.kineticist.com/assets/f8c6f57c-7f23-4cc0-93b3-f1e1a14c7109.jpg?width=680&height=520)

*[Army Navy](https://www.kineticist.com/games/pinball/army-navy) flyer*

First game from Williams to use score reel totalizers, making it the industry standard.

### Nine Sisters (1953)

*[Williams Manufacturing Company](https://www.kineticist.com/manufacturers/williams-electronic-games-inc) — [Harry Williams](https://www.kineticist.com/people/harry-williams)*

![Nine Sisters pinball flyer, Williams Manufacturing Company, 1953](https://admin.kineticist.com/assets/7e96a268-2a77-4243-bc32-c02c2bf3d6f7.jpg?width=680&height=520)

*[Nine Sisters](https://www.kineticist.com/games/pinball/nine-sisters) flyer*

First pinball game to have a ramp, advertised as a "Whirligig".

### Silver Skates (1953)

*[Williams Manufacturing Company](https://www.kineticist.com/manufacturers/williams-electronic-games-inc) — [Harry Williams](https://www.kineticist.com/people/harry-williams)*

![Silver Skates pinball flyer, Williams Manufacturing Company, 1953](https://admin.kineticist.com/assets/87144b06-55cf-413f-8d65-0c3c4019291d.jpg?width=680&height=520)

*[Silver Skates](https://www.kineticist.com/games/pinball/silver-skates) flyer*

First automatic flippers called "Automatic Rebound Flippers".

### Super Jumbo (1954)

*[D. Gottlieb & Company](https://www.kineticist.com/manufacturers/d-gottlieb--co) — [Wayne Neyens](https://www.kineticist.com/people/wayne-neyens)*

![Super Jumbo pinball flyer, D. Gottlieb & Company, 1954](https://admin.kineticist.com/assets/9bab47bd-d500-48c2-9cc5-a261e4394f4d.jpg?width=680&height=520)

*[Super Jumbo](https://www.kineticist.com/games/pinball/super-jumbo-deluxe-jumbo) flyer*

The industry's first true 4-player game and the first Gottlieb game to use rotating scoring drums rather than bulb lighted scoring on the backglass. First instance of the famous Gottlieb marketing slogan "It's More Fun to Compete!"

### Duette (1955)

*[D. Gottlieb & Company](https://www.kineticist.com/manufacturers/d-gottlieb--co) — [Wayne Neyens](https://www.kineticist.com/people/wayne-neyens)*

![Duette backglass in its wooden frame, showing the two players' score reels, D. Gottlieb & Company, 1955](https://admin.kineticist.com/assets/5b55f1d1-8087-40f5-af60-b6addf229224.jpg?width=680&height=520)

*[Duette](https://www.kineticist.com/games/pinball/duette) backglass*

First dedicated 2-player pinball machine by Gottlieb.

### Race the Clock (1955)

*[Williams Manufacturing Company](https://www.kineticist.com/manufacturers/williams-electronic-games-inc) — [Harry Williams](https://www.kineticist.com/people/harry-williams)*

![Race the Clock pinball flyer, Williams Manufacturing Company, 1955](https://admin.kineticist.com/assets/44acf6f7-754d-47e2-9938-105108a1a8f3.jpg?width=680&height=520)

*[Race the Clock](https://www.kineticist.com/games/pinball/race-the-clock) flyer*

First example of "Multi-Tilt" feature in which the player only loses the current ball in play during a tilt and does not end the entire game.

### Balls-A-Poppin (1956)

*[Bally Manufacturing Corporation](https://www.kineticist.com/manufacturers/bally-manufacturing-co)*

![Balls-A-Poppin pinball flyer, Bally Manufacturing Corporation, 1956](https://admin.kineticist.com/assets/4379df81-fddf-47a2-8967-4bd579afd0e7.jpg?width=680&height=520)

*[Balls-A-Poppin](https://www.kineticist.com/games/pinball/balls-a-poppin-circus) flyer*

First flipper electro-mechanical game multiball "Wild Balls" (supporting up to 9 balls in play).

### Arrow Head (1957)

*[Williams Manufacturing Company](https://www.kineticist.com/manufacturers/williams-electronic-games-inc) — [Harry Williams](https://www.kineticist.com/people/harry-williams)*

![Arrow Head pinball flyer, Williams Manufacturing Company, 1957](https://admin.kineticist.com/assets/d6d0dc5a-58cc-426a-bf86-dc718bbaefec.jpg?width=680&height=0)

*[Arrow Head](https://www.kineticist.com/games/pinball/arrow-head) flyer*

First million point shot in pinball (before Comet in 1985).

### Majestic (1957)

*[D. Gottlieb & Company](https://www.kineticist.com/manufacturers/d-gottlieb--co) — [Wayne Neyens](https://www.kineticist.com/people/wayne-neyens)*

![Majestic pinball flyer, D. Gottlieb & Company, 1957](https://admin.kineticist.com/assets/6290b3c3-9668-41a5-a04d-b9dfad0abf05.jpg?width=680&height=520)

*[Majestic](https://www.kineticist.com/games/pinball/majestic) flyer*

First pinball machine to have a match feature. First game to feature Roto-Targets.

### Gusher (1958)

*[Williams Manufacturing Company](https://www.kineticist.com/manufacturers/williams-electronic-games-inc) — [Harry Williams](https://www.kineticist.com/people/harry-williams)*

![Gusher pinball flyer, Williams Manufacturing Company, 1958](https://admin.kineticist.com/assets/60849292-6ff3-4c9c-9262-dc7b64c4c2b2.jpg?width=680&height=520)

*[Gusher](https://www.kineticist.com/games/pinball/gusher) flyer*

First machine to have a disappearing jet bumper.

### Darts (1960)

*[Williams Electronic Manufacturing Company](https://www.kineticist.com/manufacturers/williams-electronic-games-inc) — [Steve Kordek](https://www.kineticist.com/people/steve-kordek)*

![Darts pinball flyer, Williams Electronic Manufacturing Company, 1960](https://admin.kineticist.com/assets/f090b301-9966-4a53-92ea-a79a68eacc4c.jpg?width=680&height=0)

*[Darts](https://www.kineticist.com/games/pinball/darts) flyer*

First pinball cabinet design with anodized aluminum trim and tapered tubular chromium steel legs. A shelf with cigarette holder in front of the coin door allowed for placement of drinks and increased the length by six inches. The plywood bottom was increased from 1/4-inch to 3/4 inch in thickness.

### Flipper (1960)

*[D. Gottlieb & Company](https://www.kineticist.com/manufacturers/d-gottlieb--co) — [Wayne Neyens](https://www.kineticist.com/people/wayne-neyens)*

![Flipper pinball flyer, D. Gottlieb & Company, 1960](https://admin.kineticist.com/assets/eb220df9-9de2-4736-8ea4-02e9cce78cd5.jpg?width=680&height=520)

*[Flipper](https://www.kineticist.com/games/pinball/flipper) flyer*

First "Wedgehead" backbox design and first Add-A-Ball feature in pinball.

### Magic Clock (1960)

*[Williams Electronic Manufacturing Company](https://www.kineticist.com/manufacturers/williams-electronic-games-inc) — [Harry Mabs](https://www.kineticist.com/people/harry-mabs)*

![Magic Clock pinball flyer, Williams Electronic Manufacturing Company, 1960](https://admin.kineticist.com/assets/84aa2cf7-2693-4946-8461-6bbe5163bcb4.jpg?width=680&height=520)

*[Magic Clock](https://www.kineticist.com/games/pinball/magic-clock) flyer*

First game with a moving target. The last game designed by Harry Mabs.

### Vagabond (1962)

*[Williams Electronic Manufacturing Company](https://www.kineticist.com/manufacturers/williams-electronic-games-inc) — [Steve Kordek](https://www.kineticist.com/people/steve-kordek)*

![Vagabond pinball flyer, Williams Electronic Manufacturing Company, 1962](https://admin.kineticist.com/assets/0780fc2a-0ab6-43a3-80fe-cf3e3916fe6d.jpg?width=680&height=520)

*[Vagabond](https://www.kineticist.com/games/pinball/vagabond) flyer*

First pinball machine to have a drop target.

### Gigi (1963)

*[D. Gottlieb & Company](https://www.kineticist.com/manufacturers/d-gottlieb--co) — [Wayne Neyens](https://www.kineticist.com/people/wayne-neyens)*

![Gigi pinball flyer, D. Gottlieb & Company, 1963](https://admin.kineticist.com/assets/6f8c2895-f868-4f66-a589-81bdae69053d.jpg?width=680&height=0)

*[Gigi](https://www.kineticist.com/games/pinball/gigi) flyer*

First pinball machine to end of game bonus feature.

### Swing-Along (1963)

*[D. Gottlieb & Company](https://www.kineticist.com/manufacturers/d-gottlieb--co) — [Wayne Neyens](https://www.kineticist.com/people/wayne-neyens)*

![Swing-Along pinball flyer, D. Gottlieb & Company, 1963](https://admin.kineticist.com/assets/7e2ea3b4-34be-4603-b522-dfec65eaa395.jpg?width=680&height=520)

*[Swing-Along](https://www.kineticist.com/games/pinball/swing-along) flyer*

First pinball to feature a vertical spinner target marketed as a "Swinging Target".

### Bank-A-Ball (1965)

*[D. Gottlieb & Company](https://www.kineticist.com/manufacturers/d-gottlieb--co) — [Ed Krynski](https://www.kineticist.com/people/ed-krynski)*

![Bank-A-Ball playfield lit, its pool-hall art and lit bumpers visible, D. Gottlieb & Company, 1965](https://admin.kineticist.com/assets/301c996d-4cb7-41e2-a68b-6783f940f2f3.jpg?width=680&height=520)

*[Bank-A-Ball](https://www.kineticist.com/games/pinball/bank-a-ball-flipper-pool) playfield*

First game with return lanes that guide the ball back to the flippers via a wireform.

### Dodge City (1965)

*[D. Gottlieb & Company](https://www.kineticist.com/manufacturers/d-gottlieb--co) — [Ed Krynski](https://www.kineticist.com/people/ed-krynski)*

![Dodge City pinball flyer, D. Gottlieb & Company, 1965](https://admin.kineticist.com/assets/95d3b4fa-89c4-4fac-bea6-a7163619aad1.jpg?width=680&height=520)

*[Dodge City](https://www.kineticist.com/games/pinball/dodge-city) flyer*

First electro-mechanical game with a proto-wizard mode sequence that rewarded the player with escalated scoring features.

### 8 Ball (1966)

*[Williams Electronic Manufacturing Company](https://www.kineticist.com/manufacturers/williams-electronic-games-inc) — [Norm Clark](https://www.kineticist.com/people/norm-clark)*

![8 Ball pinball flyer, Williams Electronic Manufacturing Company, 1966](https://admin.kineticist.com/assets/87d9f45c-7d9c-4988-bdf6-c9778669379f.jpg?width=680&height=520)

*[8 Ball](https://www.kineticist.com/games/pinball/8-ball) flyer*

First electro-mechanical pinball game to have "Memory" during multiplayer games featuring the so-called "SPLIT-BANK" split relay bank.

### Bazaar (1966)

*[Bally Manufacturing Corporation](https://www.kineticist.com/manufacturers/bally-manufacturing-co) — [Ted Zale](https://www.kineticist.com/people/ted-zale)*

![Bazaar pinball flyer, Bally Manufacturing Corporation, 1966](https://admin.kineticist.com/assets/3ccb41b9-09c7-4000-b9fd-480809bbf502.jpg?width=680&height=520)

*[Bazaar](https://www.kineticist.com/games/pinball/bazaar) flyer*

First pinball to feature "Zipper Flippers"

### Rally Girl (1966)

*[Rally Play Company](https://www.kineticist.com/manufacturers/rally-play-company)*

![Rally Girl pinball flyer, Rally Play Company, 1966](https://admin.kineticist.com/assets/045719ff-33d7-4356-b778-6c11af28a4bd.jpg?width=680&height=520)

*[Rally Girl](https://www.kineticist.com/games/pinball/rally-girl) flyer*

First machine to utilize digital scoring using Nixie tube display elements.

### Six Sticks (1966)

*[Bally Manufacturing Corporation](https://www.kineticist.com/manufacturers/bally-manufacturing-co) — [Ted Zale](https://www.kineticist.com/people/ted-zale)*

![Six Sticks pinball flyer, Bally Manufacturing Corporation, 1966](https://admin.kineticist.com/assets/c21dd673-7098-4ac7-8948-5a0ba4de9274.jpg?width=680&height=520)

*[Six Sticks](https://www.kineticist.com/games/pinball/six-sticks) flyer*

First game to feature a "Kickback Gate" outlane ball save and first game to feature a six-player game.

### Play boy (1967)

*[Rally Play Company](https://www.kineticist.com/manufacturers/rally-play-company)*

![Play boy pinball flyer, Rally Play Company, 1967](https://admin.kineticist.com/assets/19b2698a-0d33-4b3a-aa46-db0174aec37d.jpg?width=680&height=0)

*[Play boy](https://www.kineticist.com/games/pinball/playboy-1967) flyer*

First game to have a rounded up-post between the flippers. First game to have electronically generated sounds instead of chimes, but no electronic logic in-game features.

### Hayburners II (1968)

*[Williams Electronics, Incorporated](https://www.kineticist.com/manufacturers/williams-electronic-games-inc) — [Steve Kordek](https://www.kineticist.com/people/steve-kordek)*

![Hayburners II pinball flyer, Williams Electronics, Incorporated, 1968](https://admin.kineticist.com/assets/b7ee8f9d-6bed-4429-9e4b-5effe693df1e.jpg?width=680&height=520)

*[Hayburners II](https://www.kineticist.com/games/pinball/hayburners-ii) flyer*

First game to introduce 3-inch flippers.

### Airport (1969)

*[D. Gottlieb & Company](https://www.kineticist.com/manufacturers/d-gottlieb--co) — [Ed Krynski](https://www.kineticist.com/people/ed-krynski)*

![Airport pinball flyer, D. Gottlieb & Company, 1969](https://admin.kineticist.com/assets/4fa8cd1d-dc6e-4021-85cd-9a33cab3c97a.jpg?width=680&height=520)

*[Airport](https://www.kineticist.com/games/pinball/college-queens-airport) flyer*

First Vari-Target.

### Skipper (1969)

*[D. Gottlieb & Company](https://www.kineticist.com/manufacturers/d-gottlieb--co) — [Ed Krynski](https://www.kineticist.com/people/ed-krynski)*

![Skipper pinball flyer, D. Gottlieb & Company, 1969](https://admin.kineticist.com/assets/fa31feef-51a8-49bc-b78a-2774dec0a3c5.jpg?width=680&height=520)

*[Skipper](https://www.kineticist.com/games/pinball/skipper) flyer*

First game using the classic three chime box assembly instead of ringing bells.

### Snow Queen (1970)

*[D. Gottlieb & Company](https://www.kineticist.com/manufacturers/d-gottlieb--co) — [Ed Krynski](https://www.kineticist.com/people/ed-krynski)*

![Snow Queen pinball flyer, D. Gottlieb & Company, 1970](https://admin.kineticist.com/assets/f3b530da-ca6f-4d83-9f9a-0595523d3abf.jpg?width=680&height=520)

*[Snow Queen](https://www.kineticist.com/games/pinball/snow-queen-snow-derby) flyer*

First Gottlieb game with an end-of-ball bonus ladder and super bonus feature.

### Challenger (1971)

*[D. Gottlieb & Company](https://www.kineticist.com/manufacturers/d-gottlieb--co) — [Wayne Neyens](https://www.kineticist.com/people/wayne-neyens)*

![Challenger pinball flyer, D. Gottlieb & Company, 1971](https://admin.kineticist.com/assets/b859765c-82a1-44f8-9662-dc48e97f9a39.jpg?width=680&height=520)

*[Challenger](https://www.kineticist.com/games/pinball/challenger) flyer*

First head-to-head style 2 player electro-mechanical pinball machine.

### Roller Coaster (1971)

*[D. Gottlieb & Company](https://www.kineticist.com/manufacturers/d-gottlieb--co) — [Ed Krynski](https://www.kineticist.com/people/ed-krynski)*

![Roller Coaster pinball flyer, D. Gottlieb & Company, 1971](https://admin.kineticist.com/assets/f8c856f9-3342-4e12-8d1f-15564a5dcf31.jpg?width=680&height=520)

*[Roller Coaster](https://www.kineticist.com/games/pinball/roller-coaster) flyer*

First electro-mechanical game the have wireform habitrails on the playfield that guided the ball back to the flippers.

### Fireball (1972)

*[Bally Manufacturing Corporation](https://www.kineticist.com/manufacturers/bally-manufacturing-co) — [Ted Zale](https://www.kineticist.com/people/ted-zale)*

![Fireball pinball flyer, Bally Manufacturing Corporation, 1972](https://admin.kineticist.com/assets/2e6f20fe-1b3e-4939-9b51-9913370e589c.jpg?width=680&height=520)

*[Fireball](https://www.kineticist.com/games/pinball/fireball) flyer*

First uphill ramp skill shot. First "Messenger Ball" style captive ball.

### Sea Hunt (1972)

*[Allied Leisure Industries, Incorporated](https://www.kineticist.com/manufacturers/allied-leisure-industries-inc) — [Ron Halliburton](https://www.kineticist.com/people/ron-halliburton)*

![Sea Hunt pinball flyer, Allied Leisure Industries, Incorporated, 1972](https://admin.kineticist.com/assets/e92b1e25-f0a2-456c-84ce-3590047ca7a3.jpg?width=680&height=520)

*[Sea Hunt](https://www.kineticist.com/games/pinball/sea-hunt) flyer*

First vertical "Shakerball" style pinball cabinet. Handles let you nudge the playfield back and forth and thumb buttons trigger the flippers.

### Travel Time (1972)

*[Williams Electronics, Incorporated](https://www.kineticist.com/manufacturers/williams-electronic-games-inc) — [Norm Clark](https://www.kineticist.com/people/norm-clark)*

![Travel Time pinball flyer, Williams Electronics, Incorporated, 1972](https://admin.kineticist.com/assets/efa7faf0-6874-4c4f-95e7-f4116455f54f.jpg?width=680&height=520)

*[Travel Time](https://www.kineticist.com/games/pinball/travel-time-summer-time) flyer*

First timer based playing pinball. Gameplay ends when timer runs out.

## Solid State

### Dyn O' Mite (1975)

*[Allied Leisure Industries, Incorporated](https://www.kineticist.com/manufacturers/allied-leisure-industries-inc) — [Jack Pearson](https://www.kineticist.com/people/jack-pearson)*

![Dyn O' Mite pinball flyer, Allied Leisure Industries, Incorporated, 1975](https://admin.kineticist.com/assets/ea270be4-1195-4ced-97e8-2929f9c842aa.jpg?width=680&height=520)

*[Dyn O' Mite](https://www.kineticist.com/games/pinball/tnt-rock-on-boogie-dyn-o-mite) flyer*

First pinball machine released to the market that featured solid state circuitry and LED score display.

### Wizard! (1975)

*[Bally Manufacturing Corporation](https://www.kineticist.com/manufacturers/bally-manufacturing-co) — [Greg Kmiec](https://www.kineticist.com/people/greg-kmiec)*

![Wizard! pinball flyer, Bally Manufacturing Corporation, 1975](https://admin.kineticist.com/assets/01782899-9a45-4f9b-83bc-6f284fb08a9c.jpg?width=680&height=520)

*[Wizard!](https://www.kineticist.com/games/pinball/wizard) flyer*

First game to feature an officially licensed theme (Tommy the movie) also first pinball machine to use "Flip Flags".

### Atarians (1976)

*[Atari Incorporated](https://www.kineticist.com/manufacturers/atari-incorporated) — [Bob Jonesi](https://www.kineticist.com/people/bob-jonesi)*

![Atarians pinball flyer, Atari Incorporated, 1976](https://admin.kineticist.com/assets/5ab964c1-14db-40a5-9fda-bc2ff5ca02b6.jpg?width=680&height=520)

*[Atarians](https://www.kineticist.com/games/pinball/atarians) flyer*

First solid state widebody pinball machine. First pinball machine to ever use magnetic inductive rollover sensors that replaced wireform rollover switches. First to use rotary solenoids for flipper mechs.

### Bank Shot (1976)

*[D. Gottlieb & Company](https://www.kineticist.com/manufacturers/d-gottlieb--co) — [Ed Krynski](https://www.kineticist.com/people/ed-krynski)*

![Bank Shot pinball flyer, D. Gottlieb & Company, 1976](https://admin.kineticist.com/assets/65c5ceb3-c14b-40a6-9ff9-ba26a7176394.jpg?width=680&height=0)

*[Bank Shot](https://www.kineticist.com/games/pinball/bank-shot-sure-shot) flyer*

The pinball machine used by Roger Sharpe to demonstrate to the New York City Council that pinball is a game of skill.

### Capt. Fantastic and the Brown Dirt Cowboy (1976)

*[Bally Manufacturing Corporation](https://www.kineticist.com/manufacturers/bally-manufacturing-co) — [Greg Kmiec](https://www.kineticist.com/people/greg-kmiec)*

![Capt. Fantastic and the Brown Dirt Cowboy pinball flyer, Bally Manufacturing Corporation, 1976](https://admin.kineticist.com/assets/fc1c7c01-57fb-44c2-9187-109e4df77a0b.jpg?width=680&height=520)

*[Capt. Fantastic and the Brown Dirt Cowboy](https://www.kineticist.com/games/pinball/captain-fantastic-and-the-brown-dirt-cowboy) flyer*

Best selling electro-mechanical pinball machine of all time 16,155 units produced.

### Airborne Avenger (1977)

*[Atari Incorporated](https://www.kineticist.com/manufacturers/atari-incorporated) — [Steve Ritchie](https://www.kineticist.com/people/steve-ritchie)*

![Airborne Avenger pinball flyer, Atari Incorporated, 1977](https://admin.kineticist.com/assets/a9abdb7b-8407-4dea-85c7-54e7ea5d07bf.jpg?width=680&height=0)

*[Airborne Avenger](https://www.kineticist.com/games/pinball/airborne-avenger) flyer*

First game to feature a traditional captive ball/Newton Ball. Steve Ritchie's first pinball design.

### Eight Ball (1977)

*[Bally Manufacturing Corporation](https://www.kineticist.com/manufacturers/bally-manufacturing-co) — [George Christian](https://www.kineticist.com/people/george-christian)*

![Eight Ball pinball flyer, Bally Manufacturing Corporation, 1977](https://admin.kineticist.com/assets/68f46ffc-ff5c-4a47-8c56-2bd186a1a80a.jpg?width=680&height=520)

*[Eight Ball](https://www.kineticist.com/games/pinball/eight-ball) flyer*

First game to feature Memory & Recall so the playfield state was re-set independently between each ball of a multi-player game. The first solid state game to sell over 20,000 units. First game to feature a modern "attract mode" light show.

### Roy Clark 'The' Entertainer (1977)

*[Fascination International, Incorporated](https://www.kineticist.com/manufacturers/fascination-int-inc) — [Jack Pearson](https://www.kineticist.com/people/jack-pearson) and [Bob Betor](https://www.kineticist.com/people/bob-betor)*

![Roy Clark 'The' Entertainer pinball flyer, Fascination International, Incorporated, 1977](https://admin.kineticist.com/assets/f9cc15b5-4475-48c9-be51-300268318226.jpg?width=680&height=520)

*Roy Clark 'The' Entertainer flyer*

First solid state cocktail table cabinet design.

### Disco Fever (1978)

*[Williams Electronics, Incorporated](https://www.kineticist.com/manufacturers/williams-electronic-games-inc) — [Tony Kraemer](https://www.kineticist.com/people/tony-kraemer)*

![Disco Fever pinball flyer, Williams Electronics, Incorporated, 1978](https://admin.kineticist.com/assets/0e7af822-26cc-4b01-ac66-d29402421fb6.jpg?width=680&height=520)

*[Disco Fever](https://www.kineticist.com/games/pinball/disco-fever) flyer*

First pinball game with "Banana Flippers" the first game to be designed with digital speech.

### Flash (1978)

*[Williams Electronics, Incorporated](https://www.kineticist.com/manufacturers/williams-electronic-games-inc) — [Steve Ritchie](https://www.kineticist.com/people/steve-ritchie)*

![Flash pinball flyer, Williams Electronics, Incorporated, 1978](https://admin.kineticist.com/assets/f4875b84-e1de-443d-a956-26c1e5b581cb.jpg?width=680&height=520)

*[Flash](https://www.kineticist.com/games/pinball/flash) flyer*

First game from any manufacturer to have a dynamic background sound during gameplay. It is also the first game from any manufacturer to use Flash Lamps.

### Lost World (1978)

*[Bally Manufacturing Corporation](https://www.kineticist.com/manufacturers/bally-manufacturing-co) — [Gary Gayton](https://www.kineticist.com/people/gary-gayton)*

![Lost World pinball flyer, Bally Manufacturing Corporation, 1978](https://admin.kineticist.com/assets/c5a7d211-29b3-480c-95ca-61f03db561d2.jpg?width=680&height=520)

*[Lost World](https://www.kineticist.com/games/pinball/lost-world) flyer*

First machine to use a photographic backglass (artist Paul Farris and his wife depicted on backglass).

### Cosmic Princess (1979)

*Leisure & Allied Industries*

![Cosmic Princess pinball flyer, Leisure & Allied Industries, 1979](https://admin.kineticist.com/assets/ae23fa90-61f8-449c-9a6c-a2640d44fa69.jpg?width=680&height=520)

*[Cosmic Princess](https://www.kineticist.com/games/pinball/cosmic-princess) flyer*

First game to feature a "Photomat" instant camera that would take a photo of the player if they achieved the new high score.

### Gorgar (1979)

*[Williams Electronics, Incorporated](https://www.kineticist.com/manufacturers/williams-electronic-games-inc) — [Barry Oursler](https://www.kineticist.com/people/barry-oursler)*

![Gorgar pinball flyer, Williams Electronics, Incorporated, 1979](https://admin.kineticist.com/assets/9b046195-7975-4e5b-8bd3-95ddf31d4f30.jpg?width=680&height=520)

*[Gorgar](https://www.kineticist.com/games/pinball/gorgar) flyer*

First game with electronic speech synthesis.

### Harem Cat (1979)

*[Universal Company, Limited](https://www.kineticist.com/manufacturers/universal)*

![Harem Cat pinball flyer, Universal Company, Limited, 1979](https://admin.kineticist.com/assets/cfe27906-9237-4a09-838f-b58b9f147e03.jpg?width=680&height=520)

*[Harem Cat](https://www.kineticist.com/games/pinball/harem-cat) flyer*

First to pinball machine to utilize a video monitor for scoring display in the backglass. Featured up to 6-players and scores to 999,990.

### Hercules (1979)

*[Atari Incorporated](https://www.kineticist.com/manufacturers/atari-incorporated) — [Steve Bicker](https://www.kineticist.com/people/steve-bicker)*

![Three people playing the oversized Hercules pinball machine, a black-and-white press photograph, Atari Incorporated, 1979](https://admin.kineticist.com/assets/edeed3b2-0894-4533-af3d-bd493a7063bb.jpg?width=680&height=520)

*[Hercules](https://www.kineticist.com/games/pinball/hercules), from Atari's press kit*

Largest commercially produced pinball machine ever made.

### Big Game (1980)

*[Stern Electronics, Incorporated](https://www.kineticist.com/manufacturers/stern-electronics) — [Harry Williams](https://www.kineticist.com/people/harry-williams)*

![Big Game pinball flyer, Stern Electronics, Incorporated, 1980](https://admin.kineticist.com/assets/121d233d-2cbc-4082-a094-ee5e61655041.jpg?width=680&height=0)

*[Big Game](https://www.kineticist.com/games/pinball/big-game) flyer*

First electronic game to use 7-digit score displays.

### Black Knight (1980)

*[Williams Electronics, Incorporated](https://www.kineticist.com/manufacturers/williams-electronic-games-inc) — [Steve Ritchie](https://www.kineticist.com/people/steve-ritchie)*

![Black Knight pinball flyer, Williams Electronics, Incorporated, 1980](https://admin.kineticist.com/assets/e208f65b-b458-465f-87d5-c5394b021289.jpg?width=680&height=520)

*[Black Knight](https://www.kineticist.com/games/pinball/black-knight) flyer*

First multi-level playfield. First "Magna-Save". First game to feature an end of game timed bonus ball. First game to feature jeweled playfield inserts.

### Firepower (1980)

*[Williams Electronics, Incorporated](https://www.kineticist.com/manufacturers/williams-electronic-games-inc) — [Steve Ritchie](https://www.kineticist.com/people/steve-ritchie)*

![Firepower pinball flyer, Williams Electronics, Incorporated, 1980](https://admin.kineticist.com/assets/541c99f1-fd34-4773-ac15-0b31089f4d03.jpg?width=680&height=520)

*[Firepower](https://www.kineticist.com/games/pinball/firepower) flyer*

First solid state electronic "Multi-Ball". First game to feature lane change. First solid state with a playfield lighting animation sequence "countdown to Multi-Ball".

### Space Invaders (1980)

*[Bally Manufacturing Corporation](https://www.kineticist.com/manufacturers/bally-manufacturing-co) — [Jim Patla](https://www.kineticist.com/people/jim-patla)*

![Space Invaders pinball flyer, Bally Manufacturing Corporation, 1980](https://admin.kineticist.com/assets/8971c40f-ba94-40da-b024-184f0e9e2190.jpg?width=680&height=520)

*[Space Invaders](https://www.kineticist.com/games/pinball/space-invaders) flyer*

First pinball machine with a theme based on a video game. Swiss artist, H.R. Giger successfully sued Bally over copyright infringement for the depiction of the alien on the backglass and cabinet art.

### Xenon (1980)

*[Bally Manufacturing Corporation](https://www.kineticist.com/manufacturers/bally-manufacturing-co) — [Greg Kmiec](https://www.kineticist.com/people/greg-kmiec)*

![Xenon pinball flyer, Bally Manufacturing Corporation, 1980](https://admin.kineticist.com/assets/6e45354a-bc79-43da-8ca3-b599601a1d08.jpg?width=680&height=520)

*[Xenon](https://www.kineticist.com/games/pinball/xenon) flyer*

First female voice in a pinball machine, Suzanne Ciani.

### Black Hole (1981)

*[D. Gottlieb & Company](https://www.kineticist.com/manufacturers/d-gottlieb--co) — [John Buras](https://www.kineticist.com/people/john-buras) and Shing Lam*

![Black Hole pinball flyer, D. Gottlieb & Company, 1981](https://admin.kineticist.com/assets/bf7506cf-6811-401b-b42b-448b60db7e66.jpg?width=680&height=520)

*[Black Hole](https://www.kineticist.com/games/pinball/black-hole) flyer*

First machine with a lower playfield sloped away from the player with the flippers at the backbox end. First pinball machine to cost 50 cents per play.

### Centaur (1981)

*[Bally Manufacturing Corporation](https://www.kineticist.com/manufacturers/bally-manufacturing-co) — [Jim Patla](https://www.kineticist.com/people/jim-patla)*

![Centaur pinball flyer, Bally Manufacturing Corporation, 1981](https://admin.kineticist.com/assets/a515aa12-0e63-4bc8-98cf-7ace10772ae0.jpg?width=680&height=520)

*[Centaur](https://www.kineticist.com/games/pinball/centaur) flyer*

First solid state pinball game to feature a 4-ball and 5-ball multiball.

### Elektra (1981)

*[Bally Manufacturing Corporation](https://www.kineticist.com/manufacturers/bally-manufacturing-co) — [Claude Fernandez](https://www.kineticist.com/people/claude-fernandez)*

![Elektra pinball flyer, Bally Manufacturing Corporation, 1981](https://admin.kineticist.com/assets/262bcde2-e7f6-4969-9a61-f95f024f5e72.jpg?width=680&height=520)

*[Elektra](https://www.kineticist.com/games/pinball/elektra) flyer*

First solid-state game with a three-level playfield.

### Caveman (1982)

*[D. Gottlieb & Company](https://www.kineticist.com/manufacturers/d-gottlieb--co) — [John Buras](https://www.kineticist.com/people/john-buras)*

![Caveman pinball flyer, D. Gottlieb & Company, 1982](https://admin.kineticist.com/assets/5a93f96a-774c-4218-b43a-f7f0b84785bb.jpg?width=680&height=520)

*[Caveman](https://www.kineticist.com/games/pinball/caveman) flyer*

First pinball & video game hybrid.

### Devil's Dare (1982)

*[D. Gottlieb & Company](https://www.kineticist.com/manufacturers/d-gottlieb--co) — [Tom Szafransky](https://www.kineticist.com/people/tom-szafransky)*

![Devil's Dare pinball flyer, D. Gottlieb & Company, 1982](https://admin.kineticist.com/assets/0e619194-ccdb-4b6d-8e1c-21bbec3b0083.jpg?width=680&height=0)

*[Devil's Dare](https://www.kineticist.com/games/pinball/devils-dare) flyer*

First System 80A. First multiball restart feature, first 4 color process on glass printing.

### Haunted House (1982)

*[D. Gottlieb & Company](https://www.kineticist.com/manufacturers/d-gottlieb--co) — [John Osborne](https://www.kineticist.com/people/john-osborne)*

![Haunted House pinball flyer, D. Gottlieb & Company, 1982](https://admin.kineticist.com/assets/1881b74b-6cd9-4919-9eff-7cbe6fccff3e.jpg?width=680&height=520)

*[Haunted House](https://www.kineticist.com/games/pinball/haunted-house) flyer*

First game to feature 8 flippers.

### Orbitor 1 (1982)

*[Stern Electronics, Incorporated](https://www.kineticist.com/manufacturers/stern-electronics) — [Joe Joos Jr.](https://www.kineticist.com/people/joe-joos-jr)*

![Orbitor 1 pinball flyer, Stern Electronics, Incorporated, 1982](https://admin.kineticist.com/assets/19a1987c-ffcf-4e04-ae4e-c4602c56644f.jpg?width=680&height=520)

*[Orbitor 1](https://www.kineticist.com/games/pinball/orbitor-1) flyer*

First pinball machine with a clear, contoured 3D plastic playfield while also featuring a minimum non-adjustable play time function.

### Varkon (1982)

*[Williams Electronics, Incorporated](https://www.kineticist.com/manufacturers/williams-electronic-games-inc) — [Tony Kraemer](https://www.kineticist.com/people/tony-kraemer)*

![Varkon upright cabinet, its playfield behind glass below the monitor bezel, Williams Electronics, Incorporated, 1982](https://admin.kineticist.com/assets/81f9c6f8-1400-4e5c-b1f7-d15794f7e628.jpg?width=680&height=520)

*[Varkon](https://www.kineticist.com/games/pinball/varkon)*

First upright solid state pinball machine built into a video game cabinet using mirrors for its two vertical playfields.

### Joust (1983)

*[Williams Electronics, Incorporated](https://www.kineticist.com/manufacturers/williams-electronic-games-inc) — [Barry Oursler](https://www.kineticist.com/people/barry-oursler)*

![Joust pinball flyer, Williams Electronics, Incorporated, 1983](https://admin.kineticist.com/assets/8a63cdeb-0530-497a-968a-2be2b1f43bc3.jpg?width=680&height=520)

*[Joust](https://www.kineticist.com/games/pinball/joust) flyer*

The first head-to-head style 2 player solid state pinball machine.

### Time Machine (1983)

*[Zaccaria](https://www.kineticist.com/manufacturers/zaccaria)*

![Time Machine pinball flyer, Zaccaria, 1983](https://admin.kineticist.com/assets/e7b41f3e-1138-4128-85d7-c2844ca5a988.jpg?width=680&height=520)

*[Time Machine](https://www.kineticist.com/games/pinball/time-machine-1983) flyer*

First game to feature a section of the playfield that raised and lowered.

### El Dorado City of Gold (1984)

*Mylstar Electronics/Premier Technology — [Ed Krynski](https://www.kineticist.com/people/ed-krynski)*

![El Dorado City of Gold pinball flyer, Mylstar Electronics/Premier Technology, 1984](https://admin.kineticist.com/assets/dc21e483-f8f3-4ca1-b60a-5ded3cafc65f.jpg?width=680&height=520)

*El Dorado City of Gold flyer*

The last production game designed by Ed Krynski who designed over 200 pinball machines; the most of any pinball designer in history! Based on the playfield layout of the original game titled El Dorado (1975) which was re-used for versions titled Gold Strike, Lucky Strike, Target Alpha, Canada Dry and Solar City. This was the last pin produced by Mylstar (Ratslym spelled backwards!)

### Space Shuttle (1984)

*[Williams Electronics, Incorporated](https://www.kineticist.com/manufacturers/williams-electronic-games-inc) — [Barry Oursler](https://www.kineticist.com/people/barry-oursler)*

![Space Shuttle pinball flyer, Williams Electronics, Incorporated, 1984](https://admin.kineticist.com/assets/fa7f1cf8-dad1-44dc-9eb8-65c51185e96c.jpg?width=680&height=520)

*[Space Shuttle](https://www.kineticist.com/games/pinball/space-shuttle-1984) flyer*

Widely credited with saving Williams from bankruptcy during the 1980s with 7,000 units produced. The first machine to feature a vacuum-formed 3D plastic toy (a highly detailed replica of the NASA Space Shuttle) as a central playfield element.

## Alphanumeric

### Af-Tor (1984)

*[Wico Corporation](https://www.kineticist.com/manufacturers/wico-corporation)*

![Af-Tor pinball flyer, Wico Corporation, 1984](https://admin.kineticist.com/assets/a7eee9f2-98eb-48ec-b515-83f6042dfc63.jpg?width=680&height=520)

*[Af-Tor](https://www.kineticist.com/games/pinball/af-tor) flyer*

First pinball machine from any manufacturer to be produced with an alphanumeric display (Hyperball doesn't count!).

### Comet (1985)

*[Williams Electronics Games, Incorporated](https://www.kineticist.com/manufacturers/williams-electronic-games-inc) — [Barry Oursler](https://www.kineticist.com/people/barry-oursler)*

![Comet pinball flyer, Williams Electronics Games, Incorporated, 1985](https://admin.kineticist.com/assets/e12b8542-536d-48b8-a3ea-cf627bb4ea3b.jpg?width=680&height=520)

*[Comet](https://www.kineticist.com/games/pinball/comet) flyer*

First solid state game to feature a million point shot.

### High Speed (1986)

*[Williams Electronics Games, Incorporated](https://www.kineticist.com/manufacturers/williams-electronic-games-inc) — [Steve Ritchie](https://www.kineticist.com/people/steve-ritchie)*

![High Speed pinball flyer, Williams Electronics Games, Incorporated, 1986](https://admin.kineticist.com/assets/1db015c8-1b1d-4cbe-bfbe-ced186782951.jpg?width=680&height=520)

*[High Speed](https://www.kineticist.com/games/pinball/high-speed) flyer*

First game to use automatic replay percentage calculation AKA "Auto-percentaging" or "Replay Boost". First SS game with operator report. First game to feature a narrative for the player. First Williams pin game to use alpha-numeric displays. First Jackpot available only during multiball. First progressive Jackpot carry over from game to game. First game to play a complete song. First game to feature a modern, illuminated topper. First use of broken switch compensation programming. First System 11.

### PIN·BOT (1986)

*[Williams Electronics Games, Incorporated](https://www.kineticist.com/manufacturers/williams-electronic-games-inc) — [Barry Oursler](https://www.kineticist.com/people/barry-oursler) and [Python Anghelo](https://www.kineticist.com/people/python-anghelo)*

![PIN·BOT pinball flyer, Williams Electronics Games, Incorporated, 1986](https://admin.kineticist.com/assets/a4bcfd3c-137a-4797-ab8c-a40f080c27eb.jpg?width=680&height=520)

*[PIN·BOT](https://www.kineticist.com/games/pinball/pinbot) flyer*

First modern pinball game to credit the lead design team members names on the playfield.

### Raven (1986)

*Premier Technology — [John Trudeau](https://www.kineticist.com/people/john-trudeau)*

![Raven pinball flyer, Premier Technology, 1986](https://admin.kineticist.com/assets/3c0d0c2d-634a-4f1c-a03d-98675d6cccf5.jpg?width=680&height=520)

*[Raven](https://www.kineticist.com/games/pinball/raven) flyer*

The first pinball machine to use a high-contrast photographic image rather than traditional hand-drawn art for its backglass.

### F-14 Tomcat (1987)

*[Williams Electronics Games, Incorporated](https://www.kineticist.com/manufacturers/williams-electronic-games-inc) — [Steve Ritchie](https://www.kineticist.com/people/steve-ritchie)*

![F-14 Tomcat pinball flyer, Williams Electronics Games, Incorporated, 1987](https://admin.kineticist.com/assets/800534b9-d056-430c-bd9b-0a7fb6713661.jpg?width=680&height=520)

*[F-14 Tomcat](https://www.kineticist.com/games/pinball/f-14-tomcat) flyer*

First ever kickback device that fired the ball straight back at the flippers. First modern ball save "Flight Insurance".

### Laser War (1987)

*Data East Pinball, Incorporated — [Joe Kaminkow](https://www.kineticist.com/people/joe-kaminkow)*

![Laser War pinball flyer, Data East Pinball, Incorporated, 1987](https://admin.kineticist.com/assets/dea56d01-e240-498a-8295-a4278d6cb860.jpg?width=680&height=520)

*[Laser War](https://www.kineticist.com/games/pinball/laser-war) flyer*

First pinball machine to feature digital stereo sound. First pinball game released by Data East.

### Victory (1987)

*Premier Technology — [John Trudeau](https://www.kineticist.com/people/john-trudeau)*

![Victory pinball flyer, Premier Technology, 1987](https://admin.kineticist.com/assets/7cebdf8b-601e-4361-a2f4-d286cae19367.jpg?width=680&height=520)

*[Victory](https://www.kineticist.com/games/pinball/victory) flyer*

First game to use a fully screened photo realistic "Vitrigraph" mylar overlay for it's playfield rather than the industry standard silkscreen on the wood itself.

### Banzai Run (1988)

*[Williams Electronics Games, Incorporated](https://www.kineticist.com/manufacturers/williams-electronic-games-inc) — [Pat Lawlor](https://www.kineticist.com/people/pat-lawlor)*

![Banzai Run pinball flyer, Williams Electronics Games, Incorporated, 1988](https://admin.kineticist.com/assets/44b13db1-0127-4503-8cba-fe8f1c4d6deb.jpg?width=680&height=0)

*[Banzai Run](https://www.kineticist.com/games/pinball/banzai-run) flyer*

First true vertical playfield pinball game with flippers in the backbox. Pat Lawlor's first pinball design.

### Black Knight 2000 (1989)

*[Williams Electronics Games, Incorporated](https://www.kineticist.com/manufacturers/williams-electronic-games-inc) — [Steve Ritchie](https://www.kineticist.com/people/steve-ritchie)*

![Black Knight 2000 pinball flyer, Williams Electronics Games, Incorporated, 1989](https://admin.kineticist.com/assets/8abf9fcd-1753-429a-9f49-bbd94b32e522.jpg?width=680&height=520)

*[Black Knight 2000](https://www.kineticist.com/games/pinball/black-knight-2000) flyer*

First modern game to feature a Wizard Mode "King's Ransom".

### Earthshaker (1989)

*[Williams Electronics Games, Incorporated](https://www.kineticist.com/manufacturers/williams-electronic-games-inc) — [Pat Lawlor](https://www.kineticist.com/people/pat-lawlor)*

![Earthshaker pinball flyer, Williams Electronics Games, Incorporated, 1989](https://admin.kineticist.com/assets/6968b5c6-8d44-4499-88e2-576173cdf3b6.jpg?width=680&height=520)

*[Earthshaker](https://www.kineticist.com/games/pinball/earthshaker) flyer*

First pinball machine to feature a shaker motor in the cabinet.

### Elvira and the Party Monsters (1989)

*[Midway Manufacturing Company](https://www.kineticist.com/manufacturers/midway-manufacturing-co) — [Dennis Nordman](https://www.kineticist.com/people/dennis-nordman) and [Jim Patla](https://www.kineticist.com/people/jim-patla) and [Steve Ritchie](https://www.kineticist.com/people/steve-ritchie)*

![Elvira and the Party Monsters pinball flyer, Midway Manufacturing Company, 1989](https://admin.kineticist.com/assets/e5a6a6fb-86ff-4ecd-ad39-5a9359df9fa7.jpg?width=680&height=520)

*[Elvira and the Party Monsters](https://www.kineticist.com/games/pinball/elvira-and-the-party-monsters) flyer*

First pinball machine to feature a known celebrity voice to record call-outs specifically for the game.

### Lights...Camera...Action! (1989)

*Premier Technology — [Jon Norris](https://www.kineticist.com/people/jon-norris)*

![Lights...Camera...Action! pinball flyer, Premier Technology, 1989](https://admin.kineticist.com/assets/d45c81df-467c-445b-8d01-bf1e96def6cd.jpg?width=680&height=520)

*[Lights...Camera...Action!](https://www.kineticist.com/games/pinball/lightscameraaction) flyer*

First pinball machine to feature various timed modes programmed in the ruleset.

### RoboCop (1989)

*Data East Pinball, Incorporated — [Joe Kaminkow](https://www.kineticist.com/people/joe-kaminkow) and [Ed Cebula](https://www.kineticist.com/people/ed-cebula)*

![RoboCop pinball flyer, Data East Pinball, Incorporated, 1989](https://admin.kineticist.com/assets/637dd9ff-4ca6-4961-9bc7-3c6388c4e4da.jpg?width=680&height=520)

*[RoboCop](https://www.kineticist.com/games/pinball/robocop) flyer*

First solid state flipper assembly designated TY-FFASI, which apparently was an acronym meaning: "Take Your Fucking Flippers And Shove It".

### Vegas (1990)

*Premier Technology — [Jon Norris](https://www.kineticist.com/people/jon-norris)*

![Vegas pinball flyer, Premier Technology, 1990](https://admin.kineticist.com/assets/5004813d-5c57-4e9d-bc1d-8b727728d34c.jpg?width=680&height=520)

*[Vegas](https://www.kineticist.com/games/pinball/vegas) flyer*

First game to use visible LEDs on the playfield (utilizing 7-segment LED displays for a slot machine toy feature).

## DMD

### Checkpoint (1991)

*Data East Pinball, Incorporated — [Joe Kaminkow](https://www.kineticist.com/people/joe-kaminkow) and [Ed Cebula](https://www.kineticist.com/people/ed-cebula)*

![Checkpoint pinball flyer, Data East Pinball, Incorporated, 1991](https://admin.kineticist.com/assets/f4f1699e-cfd0-4f9c-bffd-b0db43ec8e9e.jpg?width=680&height=520)

*[Checkpoint](https://www.kineticist.com/games/pinball/checkpoint) flyer*

First game to be released with a dot matrix display (DMD) and featured "Lasermatic Speed Detection" that would inform the player how fast the ball was travelling. First game to have a combination automatic ball shooter and spring plunger, patented by Data East. First multiple music tracks selectible by player.

### Star Trek (1991)

*Data East Pinball, Incorporated — [Ed Cebula](https://www.kineticist.com/people/ed-cebula)*

![Star Trek pinball flyer, Data East Pinball, Incorporated, 1991](https://admin.kineticist.com/assets/8e9e0ea4-428e-471a-8e79-9e46747d8829.jpg?width=680&height=0)

*[Star Trek](https://www.kineticist.com/games/pinball/star-trek-1991) flyer*

First commercial pinball machine to have a female lead software developer, Kristina Donofrio.

### Terminator 2: Judgment Day (1991)

*[Williams Electronics Games, Incorporated](https://www.kineticist.com/manufacturers/williams-electronic-games-inc) — [Steve Ritchie](https://www.kineticist.com/people/steve-ritchie)*

![Terminator 2: Judgment Day pinball flyer, Williams Electronics Games, Incorporated, 1991](https://admin.kineticist.com/assets/9c76c4b2-f1a8-4ef3-aa6b-f47e2c365d99.jpg?width=680&height=520)

*[Terminator 2: Judgment Day](https://www.kineticist.com/games/pinball/terminator-2-judgment-day) flyer*

First game to game *designed* to use a "standard" Dot Matrix Display (DMD). First pinball to feature a "Video Mode". First game with a swing-out cannon, activated by the player.

### The Machine: Bride of Pin·Bot (1991)

*[Williams Electronics Games, Incorporated](https://www.kineticist.com/manufacturers/williams-electronic-games-inc) — [John Trudeau](https://www.kineticist.com/people/john-trudeau) and [Python Anghelo](https://www.kineticist.com/people/python-anghelo)*

![The Machine: Bride of Pin·Bot pinball flyer, Williams Electronics Games, Incorporated, 1991](https://admin.kineticist.com/assets/65df8416-22ff-4128-8c70-ab9e59dc13f2.jpg?width=680&height=520)

*[The Machine: Bride of Pin·Bot](https://www.kineticist.com/games/pinball/bride-of-pinbot) flyer*

First solid state game to feature a billion point shot. Gottlieb accused Williams that the rotating playfield mechanism of the Bride's face was patent infringement. Gottlieb won the lawsuit and in lieu of monetary compensation, Williams was forced to share their patented automatic percentaging and auditing software with Gottlieb.

### The Addams Family (1992)

*[Midway Manufacturing Company](https://www.kineticist.com/manufacturers/midway-manufacturing-co) — [Pat Lawlor](https://www.kineticist.com/people/pat-lawlor)*

![The Addams Family pinball flyer, Midway Manufacturing Company, 1992](https://admin.kineticist.com/assets/e8788b6e-8cb2-49f0-8759-76d914763d02.jpg?width=680&height=520)

*[The Addams Family](https://www.kineticist.com/games/pinball/the-addams-family) flyer*

Most units of any modern pinball machine ever sold (21,270) including Special Collectors Edition "Gold" Edition. First "Fliptronics" (solid state control) flippers.

### Indiana Jones: The Pinball Adventure (1993)

*[Williams Electronics Games, Incorporated](https://www.kineticist.com/manufacturers/williams-electronic-games-inc) — [Mark Ritchie](https://www.kineticist.com/people/mark-ritchie)*

![Indiana Jones: The Pinball Adventure pinball flyer, Williams Electronics Games, Incorporated, 1993](https://admin.kineticist.com/assets/2e6d8df4-bee8-4141-941d-dae7e980cec4.jpg?width=680&height=520)

*[Indiana Jones: The Pinball Adventure](https://www.kineticist.com/games/pinball/indiana-jones-the-pinball-adventure) flyer*

First pinball game to use Williams' DCS sound system.

### Twilight Zone (1993)

*[Midway Manufacturing Company](https://www.kineticist.com/manufacturers/midway-manufacturing-co) — [Pat Lawlor](https://www.kineticist.com/people/pat-lawlor)*

![Twilight Zone pinball flyer, Midway Manufacturing Company, 1993](https://admin.kineticist.com/assets/ef666e8d-5d7e-426e-b5d1-2243ba32ef22.jpg?width=680&height=520)

*[Twilight Zone](https://www.kineticist.com/games/pinball/twilight-zone) flyer*

First 6-ball multiball (Lost In the Zone). First use of a ceramic pinball "Powerball". The most design patents filed for a single pinball machine ever. First "SuperPin" widebody cabinet.

### Apollo 13 (1995)

*[Sega Pinball, Incorporated](https://www.kineticist.com/manufacturers/sega-pinball-inc-us) — [Joe Kaminkow](https://www.kineticist.com/people/joe-kaminkow) and [Joe Balcer](https://www.kineticist.com/people/joe-balcer)*

![Apollo 13 pinball flyer, Sega Pinball, Incorporated, 1995](https://admin.kineticist.com/assets/edaada0a-4963-4215-bc73-a97bbf6e4898.jpg?width=680&height=520)

*[Apollo 13](https://www.kineticist.com/games/pinball/apollo-13) flyer*

First 13-ball multiball.

### Dirty Harry (1995)

*[Williams Electronics Games, Incorporated](https://www.kineticist.com/manufacturers/williams-electronic-games-inc) — [Barry Oursler](https://www.kineticist.com/people/barry-oursler)*

![Dirty Harry pinball flyer, Williams Electronics Games, Incorporated, 1995](https://admin.kineticist.com/assets/77003649-5625-4754-a5d6-134e7effd484.jpg?width=680&height=520)

*[Dirty Harry](https://www.kineticist.com/games/pinball/dirty-harry) flyer*

First game programmed with a "Midnight Madness" mode.

### KingPin (1996)

*[Capcom Coin-Op, Incorporated](https://www.kineticist.com/manufacturers/capcom-coin-op-inc) — [Mark Ritchie](https://www.kineticist.com/people/mark-ritchie)*

![KingPin backglass artwork, a gangster firing a tommy gun beside a jackpot ramp, Capcom Coin-Op, Incorporated, 1996](https://admin.kineticist.com/assets/0293d8ae-7366-41ff-a58d-ed5cc6fdf895.jpg?width=680&height=0)

*[KingPin](https://www.kineticist.com/games/pinball/kingpin) backglass art*

First game to feature a "Sudden Death" mode at the end of the game to save your ball.

### Viper Night Drivin' (1998)

*[Sega Pinball, Incorporated](https://www.kineticist.com/manufacturers/sega-pinball-inc-us) — [Rob Hurtado](https://www.kineticist.com/people/rob-hurtado)*

![Viper Night Drivin' pinball flyer, Sega Pinball, Incorporated, 1998](https://admin.kineticist.com/assets/447a62bc-9775-4dc6-939d-4f643ec7d380.jpg?width=680&height=520)

*[Viper Night Drivin'](https://www.kineticist.com/games/pinball/viper-night-drivin) flyer*

First game to feature blacklight (UV) effects and "Glo-Balls"

### Revenge From Mars (1999)

*[Midway Manufacturing Company](https://www.kineticist.com/manufacturers/midway-manufacturing-co) — [George Gomez](https://www.kineticist.com/people/george-gomez)*

![Revenge From Mars pinball flyer, Midway Manufacturing Company, 1999](https://admin.kineticist.com/assets/98afe892-e677-419f-90f2-2eba7fa94c72.jpg?width=680&height=520)

*[Revenge From Mars](https://www.kineticist.com/games/pinball/revenge-from-mars) flyer*

First game to feature Williams Pinball 2000 cabinet design featuring interactive holographic playfield elements, swappable playfields, the first pinball machine to include a true subwoofer for high-fidelity bass and first to present On-Screen Diagnostics display, first platform designed with network support, allowing machines to be linked for local tournaments or could be played remotely over the internet via the Telnet protocol and a webcam.

### Monopoly (2001)

*[Stern Pinball, Incorporated](https://www.kineticist.com/manufacturers/stern-pinball-inc) — [Pat Lawlor](https://www.kineticist.com/people/pat-lawlor)*

![Monopoly pinball flyer, Stern Pinball, Incorporated, 2001](https://admin.kineticist.com/assets/cacb8bb7-2ca2-4ef2-bf48-f666659289ae.jpg?width=680&height=520)

*[Monopoly](https://www.kineticist.com/games/pinball/monopoly) flyer*

This game saved Stern Pinball from bankruptcy which sold 3,600 units. First game to be manufactured by Stern with an additional 40 "Platinum Edition" units. First Pat Lawlor design for Stern also marked the first time Gary Stern utilized an external design studio (Pat Lawlor Design) to build a production-line game which fully engineered the layout, code, mechanics, and art, and then licensed the completed project back to Stern to physically manufacture it.

### Disney TRON Legacy (Limited Edition) (2011)

*[Stern Pinball, Incorporated](https://www.kineticist.com/manufacturers/stern-pinball-inc) — [John Borg](https://www.kineticist.com/people/john-borg)*

![Disney TRON Legacy (Limited Edition) pinball flyer, Stern Pinball, Incorporated, 2011](https://admin.kineticist.com/assets/c03d1452-dcbf-460d-b4f6-d822c3c1cd60.jpg?width=680&height=520)

*[Disney TRON Legacy (Limited Edition)](https://www.kineticist.com/games/pinball/tron-legacy) flyer*

First game to have colour-changing RGB LED lights on the playfield.

### AC/DC (2012)

*[Stern Pinball, Incorporated](https://www.kineticist.com/manufacturers/stern-pinball-inc) — [Steve Ritchie](https://www.kineticist.com/people/steve-ritchie)*

![AC/DC pinball flyer, Stern Pinball, Incorporated, 2012](https://admin.kineticist.com/assets/15a50871-5133-4c53-9b81-91bf7008f273.jpg?width=680&height=520)

*AC/DC flyer*

First Stern Pinball game to feature Pro, Premium and Limited Edition trim levels for a single cornerstone game.

### Metallica (2013)

*[Stern Pinball, Incorporated](https://www.kineticist.com/manufacturers/stern-pinball-inc) — [John Borg](https://www.kineticist.com/people/john-borg)*

![Metallica pinball flyer, Stern Pinball, Incorporated, 2013](https://admin.kineticist.com/assets/72843f77-55cf-459e-a2f6-c3f418907acc.jpg?width=680&height=520)

*[Metallica](https://www.kineticist.com/games/pinball/metallica) flyer*

Longest production run in Stern Pinball history.

## LCD

### Virtual Pinball (2002)

*TAB Australia*

![Virtual Pinball pinball flyer, TAB Australia, 2002](https://admin.kineticist.com/assets/5112331a-8ae7-4e87-8383-a48e3d87cc51.jpg?width=680&height=0)

*Virtual Pinball flyer*

First pinball cabinet to feature a totally digital playfield consisting of a 42" plasma screen.

### New Canasta (2010)

*[MarsaPlay](https://www.kineticist.com/manufacturers/marsa) — [Antonio Cruz](https://www.kineticist.com/people/antonio-cruz)*

![New Canasta pinball flyer, MarsaPlay, 2010](https://admin.kineticist.com/assets/57eeed4e-edf9-4718-943b-31000be951f8.jpg?width=680&height=520)

*[New Canasta](https://www.kineticist.com/games/pinball/new-canasta) flyer*

First game to feature a colour TFT-LCD screen and first game to integrate a digital camera.

### Wizard of Oz (2013)

*[Jersey Jack Pinball, Incorporated](https://www.kineticist.com/manufacturers/jersey-jack-pinball) — [Joe Balcer](https://www.kineticist.com/people/joe-balcer)*

![Wizard of Oz pinball flyer, Jersey Jack Pinball, Incorporated, 2013](https://admin.kineticist.com/assets/51c07edb-12a1-46bc-8809-1b3a03f01dfc.jpg?width=680&height=0)

*[Wizard of Oz](https://www.kineticist.com/games/pinball/the-wizard-of-oz) flyer*

First pinball to feature a full colour, 26" HD LCD screen in the backbox. First game manufactured by Jersey Jack Pinball.

### Full Throttle (2015)

*[Heighway Pinball, Limited](https://www.kineticist.com/manufacturers/heighway-pinball) — [Dave Sanders](https://www.kineticist.com/people/dave-sanders)*

![Full Throttle pinball flyer, Heighway Pinball, Limited, 2015](https://admin.kineticist.com/assets/d0702051-60aa-45b2-8b0c-4c8e67046fab.jpg?width=680&height=520)

*[Full Throttle](https://www.kineticist.com/games/pinball/full-throttle) flyer*

First pinball machine to embed an LCD screen directly into the playfield surface at the player’s eye view.

### Dialed In! (2017)

*[Jersey Jack Pinball, Incorporated](https://www.kineticist.com/manufacturers/jersey-jack-pinball) — [Pat Lawlor](https://www.kineticist.com/people/pat-lawlor)*

![Dialed In! pinball flyer, Jersey Jack Pinball, Incorporated, 2017](https://admin.kineticist.com/assets/ff0ee685-9d7a-40ab-97e4-fe23376069f5.jpg?width=680&height=520)

*[Dialed In!](https://www.kineticist.com/games/pinball/dialed-in) flyer*

First machine to feature Bluetooth connectivity, allowing players to control flippers via a smartphone app and interact with the game remotely.

### Lexy Lightspeed: Escape From Earth (2017)

*[Multimorphic, Incorporated](https://www.kineticist.com/manufacturers/multimorphic) — [Dennis Nordman](https://www.kineticist.com/people/dennis-nordman)*

![Lexy Lightspeed: Escape From Earth pinball flyer, Multimorphic, Incorporated, 2017](https://admin.kineticist.com/assets/4f28c57f-df03-4955-b03a-e61ecfe00b99.jpg?width=680&height=520)

*[Lexy Lightspeed: Escape From Earth](https://www.kineticist.com/games/pinball/lexy-lightspeed-escape-from-earth) flyer*

First game with a hybrid playfield featuring an LCD screen with interactive ball-tracking technology and swappable modular upper playfield sections. First platform to feature Wi-Fi connectivity. User programmable P-ROC circuit board.

### Total Nuclear Annihilation (2017)

*[Spooky Pinball, LLC](https://www.kineticist.com/manufacturers/spooky-pinball-llc) — [Scott Danesi](https://www.kineticist.com/people/scott-danesi)*

![Total Nuclear Annihilation pinball flyer, Spooky Pinball, LLC, 2017](https://admin.kineticist.com/assets/eb3cde2d-8cd0-4fd4-a66c-f338c50d03e1.jpg?width=680&height=520)

*[Total Nuclear Annihilation](https://www.kineticist.com/games/pinball/total-nuclear-annihilation) flyer*

Originally a homebrew game developed by Spooky Pinball. First game to feature the "Danesi Lock" mechanism. First to feature 4 player co-op play mode, dynamic difficulty scaling. A narrative driven ending to finishing the game.

### Godzilla (2021)

*[Stern Pinball, Incorporated](https://www.kineticist.com/manufacturers/stern-pinball-inc) — [Keith Elwin](https://www.kineticist.com/people/keith-elwin)*

![Godzilla pinball flyer, Stern Pinball, Incorporated, 2021](https://admin.kineticist.com/assets/0705ba23-4f6d-470a-8946-85f531e1d06b.jpg?width=680&height=520)

*[Godzilla](https://www.kineticist.com/games/pinball/godzilla-2021) flyer*

First game to feature factory-installed Insider Connected feature. Biggest seller in Stern Pinball's company history (possibly breaking Addams Family record in near future!)

### Venom (2023)

*[Stern Pinball, Incorporated](https://www.kineticist.com/manufacturers/stern-pinball-inc) — [Brian Eddy](https://www.kineticist.com/people/brian-eddy)*

![Venom pinball flyer, Stern Pinball, Incorporated, 2023](https://admin.kineticist.com/assets/adf698fc-1ec7-4c9e-a932-fb68bf69db5a.jpg?width=680&height=520)

*[Venom](https://www.kineticist.com/games/pinball/venom-2023) flyer*

First game with "connectivity persistence" allowing players to save progress on their IC profile over multiple games.

### Dungeons & Dragons: The Tyrant's Eye (2025)

*[Stern Pinball, Incorporated](https://www.kineticist.com/manufacturers/stern-pinball-inc) — [Brian Eddy](https://www.kineticist.com/people/brian-eddy)*

![Dungeons & Dragons: The Tyrant's Eye pinball flyer, Stern Pinball, Incorporated, 2025](https://admin.kineticist.com/assets/d2e9b78a-793e-4c8f-a378-37825773ab4f.jpg?width=680&height=520)

*[Dungeons & Dragons: The Tyrant's Eye](https://www.kineticist.com/games/pinball/dungeons-dragons-the-tyrants-eye) flyer*

The Red Dragon mech is the most advanced animatronic mech ever designed in a pinball machine.

### Mothership (2025)

*homebrew project — Tanner Petch*

![Mothership cabinet and backglass artwork, two armoured figures firing at a tentacled creature beneath a flying saucer, homebrew project, 2025](https://admin.kineticist.com/assets/3178b354-62e4-4973-ba96-19ac51a0526c.jpg?width=680&height=0)

*Mothership, cabinet and backglass art*

The largest homebrew pinball machine ever made.

## Other

### 3D Pinball for Windows – Space Cadet (1995)

*Maxis — Kevin Gliner*

![3D Pinball for Windows - Space Cadet running in a Windows window, its blue-and-purple playfield on screen, Maxis, 1995](https://admin.kineticist.com/assets/4588ec37-4f37-49bd-8e26-3e8f730a8483.jpg?width=680&height=0)

*3D Pinball for Windows – Space Cadet, in play*

An estimated 1 billion PCs with various Windows operating platforms included this free demo from the Full Tilt! Pinball computer game.

### The Pinball Arcade (2012)

*FarSight Studios — Bobby King*

![The Pinball Arcade promotional artwork, a row of classic machines beneath the game's logo, FarSight Studios, 2012](https://admin.kineticist.com/assets/05dd3637-2c41-4555-8cea-f99350a90498.jpg?width=680&height=520)

*The Pinball Arcade, promotional art*

Multi-platform video game with nearly 100 digital reproductions of real pinball machines produced by Williams, Bally, Gottlieb, Alvin G. and Co., Data East, Sega Pinball and Stern Pinball. Over 7 million downloads.

## Special Thanks

Special thanks to Rob Berk, [Roger Sharpe](https://www.kineticist.com/people/roger-sharpe), Jay Stafford of [IPDB.org](https://www.ipdb.org), and to Michael Shalhoub, author of the *Pinball Compendium* series.

*Note, an earlier version of this list credited Royal Flush with the first match feature and the first Roto-Targets; both belong to Majestic, which predates it. It also credited Lost World with the first electronically generated sounds, which belong to Play boy, eleven years earlier. The entries have been updated.*

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