# Python’s Pinball Circus Updates – and a Secret Second New Title! by [Jeff Patterson](/author/jeff-patterson) · October 26, 2017 · [This Week in Pinball](/news/category/this-week-in-pinball) > The story of Pinball Circus, along with information and updates from the company that is working on remaking the machine, Circus Maximus – and their plans for a second title. This Week in Pinball recently had an opportunity to play The Pinball Circus at the Pinball Hall of Fame in Las Vegas.  Below is the story on this machine, along with information and updates from the company that is working on remaking the machine, Circus Maximus – and their plans for a second title. # **THE PINBALL CIRCUS** ![Vintage circus-themed pinball machine with creepy clown in arcade](https://media.kineticist.com/posts/pythons-pinball-circus-updates-and-a-secret-second-new-title/inline/6839cd64b235c7b0cc79bb45_659c374883e6e8441d03dca5_IMG_8350.jpeg) The Pinball Circus at the Pinball Hall of Fame in Las Vegas – one of the two machines that exist ## **Why The Pinball Circus is Special** ### **Uniqueness** ![Vintage pinball machine with creepy clown backboard and illuminated gameplay](https://media.kineticist.com/posts/pythons-pinball-circus-updates-and-a-secret-second-new-title/inline/6839cd64b235c7b0cc79bb4e_659c37559816233929690f46_IMG_8351.jpeg) Offset flippers on the main playfield, multiple upper playfields, ball launch/shooter lane is through the flippers The Pinball Circus is arguably the most uniquely designed pinball machine of all time.  Python Anghelo (Pin\*Bot, Bride of Pinbot, Taxi, etc. – for his full game list, see below) designed the game, which has seven flippers including offset flippers on the main playfield (on the prototype), three upper playfields (called Rings), unique ramps and toys, all housed in a cabinet that is different from any other pinball machine.  [See more about The Pinball Circus on IPDB.](http://www.ipdb.org/machine.cgi?id=4354) ‍ ### **Rarity** Bally/Midway built this machine in 1994, but only two prototype machines were ever produced.  One is located at the Pinball Hall of Fame in Las Vegas, and the other is in a private collection. ### ** Python’s Vision** Python Anghelo wanted The Pinball Circus to be built with features and a ruleset that is different than the two prototypes that exist.  Python worked with a group called Circus Maximus in developing his vision.  Unfortunately Python passed away on April 9th, 2014 after a three year battle with cancer. ### ** More Information on Python** More information about Python can be found on the [Python Anghelo website](http://www.pythonanghelo.com/) which includes a [biography](http://www.pythonanghelo.com/) and a [full game list](http://www.pythonanghelo.com/game-list).  You can also find more information on [his Wikipedia page](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Python_Anghelo), or check out [this video to learn more about “Python’s World”](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=up03zouCIvI).  As Python’s medical bills mounted through his fight with cancer, a close friend named Paul Kiefert held an online fundraiser in the pinball community that raised almost $19,000.  You can read more about Python’s life and passing [here on Pinball News](http://www.pinballnews.com/news/python.html) and [here on Engadget](https://www.engadget.com/2014/04/10/joust-pin-bot-artist-python-anghelo-passes-away/). ## ** Basic Goals of The Pinball Circus** This machine is all about verticality.  Your main goal is to get to the jackpot on the uppermost playfield.  To get there, you have to shoot the center ramp on the main playfield to get to Ring 2, then shoot up the ramp on that level to interact with the elephant toy to get to Ring 3.  From this level you’ll need to hit it up the rear ramp to a magnetic ball lifter which will transport your ball to the clown playfield (the uppermost playfield).  This playfield has two mini flippers, and to score the jackpot you have to knock down three drop targets and shoot the ball into the clown’s mouth. ‍ ![Creepy mechanical clown with digital display in dimly lit arcade machine](https://media.kineticist.com/posts/pythons-pinball-circus-updates-and-a-secret-second-new-title/inline/6839cd64b235c7b0cc79bb57_659c377633448eeeb4ce5c31_IMG_8353.jpeg) Uppermost playfield – the clown playfield # **CIRCUS MAXIMUS** ## **Initial Announcement** A few months after Python’s passing, his team at [Circus Maximus](http://www.circusmaximusgames.com/) announced their intentions to build more of The Pinball Circus, calling it Python’s Pinball Circus.  This created quite a buzz in the pinball world.  The plan was to build two whitewoods (a whitewood is an early prototype without artwork), then build 12 sample games.  From there they would discuss the possibility of going into full production. ## **Burnout and Back at it** At some point the team got burned out and had to take a break.  But as of July of 2017, they announced their back at it! ‍ # **CURRENT PROGRESS** ## **First Whitewood Complete** ![Vintage circus-themed pinball machine with colorful lights and clown head](https://media.kineticist.com/posts/pythons-pinball-circus-updates-and-a-secret-second-new-title/inline/6839cd64b235c7b0cc79bb51_659c3788037802ccb272b1e0_Capture.png) Circus Maximus whitewood on the left, Pinball Hall of Fame prototype on the right Python worked with the team at Circus Maximus to provide enhancements and additions to Python’s Pinball Circus up until his final days.  He was also developing a much deeper ruleset than the prototype machines.   Interesting note: the snake in between the flippers was meant to be some type of snake saver, which would be activated either by a foot pedal, or, if it was up to Python … wait for it … a “pelvic” button that you would have to “bump” to activate and extend the snake.  Not kidding! Without further adieu, here are some pictures of the first completed whitewood. ‍ ![Wild Circus Magic Pinball machine with creepy clown head and colorful lights](https://media.kineticist.com/posts/pythons-pinball-circus-updates-and-a-secret-second-new-title/inline/6839cd64b235c7b0cc79bb42_659c379a3662aaee1a60e934_IMG_3387-e1508959147657.jpeg) ![Illuminated pinball machine with colorful lights and playfield details](https://media.kineticist.com/posts/pythons-pinball-circus-updates-and-a-secret-second-new-title/inline/6839cd64b235c7b0cc79bb39_659c379ad714803eccfc8138_IMG_3397.jpeg) ![Pinball machine detail with blue and white illuminated bumpers](https://media.kineticist.com/posts/pythons-pinball-circus-updates-and-a-secret-second-new-title/inline/6839cd64b235c7b0cc79bb4b_659c379abf55903a9943098e_IMG_3388.jpeg) ![Pinball machine with elephant graphic, colorful lights, and clear plastic components](https://media.kineticist.com/posts/pythons-pinball-circus-updates-and-a-secret-second-new-title/inline/6839cd64b235c7b0cc79bb5a_659c379a67c71c2454938498_IMG_3389-e1508959370388.jpeg) ![Gray 3D printed elephant figurine on technical equipment](https://media.kineticist.com/posts/pythons-pinball-circus-updates-and-a-secret-second-new-title/inline/6839cd64b235c7b0cc79bb3c_659c379a5a0dfcf159df1fa9_IMG_3394.jpeg) ![Pinball machine with blue metal tracks and colorful glowing lights](https://media.kineticist.com/posts/pythons-pinball-circus-updates-and-a-secret-second-new-title/inline/6839cd64b235c7b0cc79bb3f_659c379a017ac5bfad4bb400_IMG_3391-e1508959467624.jpeg) ![Robotic device with blue and purple lighting, showing giraffe video mode](https://media.kineticist.com/posts/pythons-pinball-circus-updates-and-a-secret-second-new-title/inline/6839cd64b235c7b0cc79bb48_659c379a92242c99a4ee331c_IMG_3390-e1508959506858.jpeg) ![Mechanical device with blue metal parts, circuit board, and starry background](https://media.kineticist.com/posts/pythons-pinball-circus-updates-and-a-secret-second-new-title/inline/6839cd64b235c7b0cc79bb61_659c379a548dcbbae4313d89_IMG_3399.jpeg) ![Creepy clown-faced pinball machine with digital scoreboard and colorful lights](https://media.kineticist.com/posts/pythons-pinball-circus-updates-and-a-secret-second-new-title/inline/6839cd64b235c7b0cc79bb5d_659c379b0929e1365ca2a582_IMG_3386.jpeg) ![Colorful wheel with a doll-like figure at the center and game labels](https://media.kineticist.com/posts/pythons-pinball-circus-updates-and-a-secret-second-new-title/inline/6839cd64b235c7b0cc79bb36_659c379a25417aa5b8082e75_IMG_3398-e1508959601972.jpeg) ![Creepy clown pinball machine head with glowing red eyes and nose](https://media.kineticist.com/posts/pythons-pinball-circus-updates-and-a-secret-second-new-title/inline/6839cd64b235c7b0cc79bb54_659c379a1b82e9d937770042_IMG_3392.jpeg) ## **Second Whitewood Updates/Changes** The second whitewood is in the process of being cut, and will be tweaked to fix some issues noticed in the first whitewood.  Their goal is for the machine to play more like a true pinball and less like a redemption/novelty game.  Some of the possible changes include: - Move the snake feature and change it’s purpose - Change the bottom half of the playfield to a more standard flipper/layout - Move the ball launch from between the flippers to the traditional right side - Add a skill shot - Change portions the backboard and playfields to make the machine easier to service and ship ## **Future Plans** The plan is still to complete the two whitewoods, then build the 12 sample games.  About six of the sample games are already “spoken for” by team members at Circus Maximus, then the remaining games will be sold.  If there is enough interest/demand, the game will go into production.  Due to the unique cabinet and unique playfield shapes, the game would be more of a custom build instead of being built on a typical manufacturing line. ‍ **EXCLUSIVE: SECOND NEW TITLE BEING BUILT** **‍**This Week in Pinball can reveal that Circus Maximus has been secretly building a second machine alongside Python’s Pinball Circus.  Why build a second game before the first is completed?  For several good reasons – first is the manufacturing challenges mentioned above with Python’s Pinball Circus.  Another reason is that Python’s Pinball Circus is a passion project in memory of Python, and is a much more expensive machine to build than their second project.  The final reason – the secret machine will be a more popular title, and would be in much higher demand than Python’s Pinball Circus, which would help fund the rest of the Circus project.  More details coming in 2018, so stay tuned! --- _Canonical URL: https://www.kineticist.com/news/pythons-pinball-circus-updates-and-a-secret-second-new-title_