Game Info

The "Banzai Run" pinball machine, released by Williams in 1988, is notable for its innovative dual-level playfield design, which allows gameplay both on the main playfield and a vertical playfield in the backglass. Designed by Pat Lawlor, this machine was his first foray into pinball design and features a motorcycle racing theme. Players can enjoy unique gameplay mechanics such as a magnetic ball lift and multiple flippers to navigate the challenging terrain.

Game type: Solid State

Display type: Alphanumeric

Players: 4

MPU: Williams System 11B

Model: 566

Manufactured: May 1988

Production: 1,751 units

Tags:Backbox Gimmick,Sports,Solid State,Weird Pinball Machines,Motorcycles,1980s

Game Info

Design Team

Design: Larry DeMar, Pat Lawlor
Art: Mark Sprenger
Software: Larry DeMar, Ed Boon
Mechanics: John Krutsch
Music: Brian Schmidt
Sound: Brian Schmidt
Concept: Pat Lawlor

Design Team

How to Play

Kineticist tutorial

Challenge Accepted: Moving and Grooving to Williams' Banzai Run

Learn how to play Williams' 1988 classic pinball machine, Banzai Run.

Read our full tutorial

Prefer a rulesheet?Rulesheet (opens in a new tab)Pinball Primer (opens in a new tab)

Keys to the Game

Don’t forget to appreciate the soundtrack.
The hill is opened by challenging riders. You can challenge a rider by clearing their bank of targets/set of lanes, and you can also spot lanes/targets by either shooting the center Spot saucer or by shooting the right ramp (before the first multiball).
Familiarize yourself with the hill and its weird physics. Navigating it well is crucial for any high-scoring strategy you may be interested in.
The big points up top are awarded in the form of Cliff Jumps. Completing A-B-C or hitting the Captive Ball up top will double the value of the cliff jump, which increases each time you score it.
The hill closes if you beat all of the riders you’ve challenged. Since you want to keep scoring Cliff Jumps, keep the hill open by deliberately not beating riders.
Exception: if you can beat all remaining riders, go for it. Beating all four riders lights multiball, which has a simple sequence:
Start multiball by locking a ball on the hill
During multiball, lock one ball in the Spot saucer
Collect the jackpot at the hill’s captive ball
Shoot the ramp repeatedly for Victory Laps

Video tutorial

How to Play

Where to Play

On the floor at 46 locations

Past Times ArcadeGirard, OH Pinball Hall of FameLas Vegas, NV Pinball PerfectionWestview, PA Next Level Pinball MuseumHillsboro, OR Game GalaxySmyrna, TN

See all 46 in our directory

Showing top 20 of 46 locations

Where to Play

Documentation

Operations Manual with Schematics
pdf
Includes ROM and solenoid tables plus parts lists
PDF
4 downloads9.4 MB
Service Bulletin Book 1989
pdf
Covers upper playfield bulletin and other 1989 games
PDF
1 download1.4 MB

Documentation

ROM Files

Revision L-1 Game ROMzip
ZIP
1 download82 KB
Revision L-3 Game ROMzip
ZIP
1 download201 KB
Revision L-3 German Game ROM (U26)zip
ZIP
1 download57 KB
Revision L-3 German Game ROM (U27)zip
ZIP
1 download70 KB
Revision P-7 (Prototype) Sound ROMzip
ZIP
1 download60 KB
Revision P-A (Prototype) Game ROMzip
ZIP
1 download81 KB

ROM Files

Takes

No takes yet. Write the first take

Community Photos

Flyers & Promo Media

Featured Videos

Banzai Run video

Articles

The 150 Most Historically Significant Pinball Machines

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

Aug 19, 2026

Review: Williams Pinball Volume 8 on Pinball FX

Zen Pinball FX Volume 8 revives Banzai Run, Black Knight 2000, and Earthshaker! with faithful physics and smart extras. See more in our review.

May 13, 2025

Ten Pinball Machines Even Weirder Than You

Every now and again, we see some absolutely insane layouts, designs, or gimmicks which send a machine down in fame - or infamy - for their unusual nature.

Jun 29, 2023

Mentioned in

Tim Sexton4w ago

Mentioned in

More From This Manufacturer

96

Banzai Run

Game Info

Game Info

Design Team

Design Team

How to Play

Challenge Accepted: Moving and Grooving to Williams' Banzai Run

Keys to the Game

Video tutorial

How to Play

Where to Play

OHOhio

NVNevada

PAPennsylvania

OROregon

TNTennessee

Other

NYNew York

ILIllinois

Osaka Prefecture

MIMichigan

NJNew Jersey

WIWisconsin

MOMissouri

VAVirginia

Where to Play

Documentation

Documentation

ROM Files

ROM Files

Takes

Community Photos

Community Photos

Flyers & Promo Media

Featured Videos

Articles

The 150 Most Historically Significant Pinball Machines

Review: Williams Pinball Volume 8 on Pinball FX

Ten Pinball Machines Even Weirder Than You

Challenge Accepted: Moving and Grooving to Williams' Banzai Run

Around the Playfield with Mike Vinikour

Your Top 10 Pat Lawlor Designs!

Related Posts

Mentioned in

The 15 Best Pinball Machines of the Late 80s (1985-1989)

All you can eat Pinball

American Pinball's New Logo; Stern Pinball's Pokemon Now On Location + Official Gameplay Video; New Game Reveals at TPF?

Mentioned in

More From This Manufacturer

Medieval Madness

Firepower

Monster Bash

Gorgar

Tales of the Arabian Nights

Taxi

More From This Manufacturer

Banzai Run

Game Info

Design Team

How to Play

Challenge Accepted: Moving and Grooving to Williams' Banzai Run

Keys to the Game

Video tutorial

Where to Play

OHOhio

NVNevada

PAPennsylvania

OROregon

TNTennessee

Other

NYNew York

ILIllinois

Osaka Prefecture

MIMichigan

NJNew Jersey

WIWisconsin

MOMissouri

VAVirginia

Documentation

ROM Files

Ohio

Nevada

Pennsylvania

Oregon

Tennessee

New York

Illinois

Michigan

New Jersey

Wisconsin

Missouri

Virginia

Ohio

Nevada

Pennsylvania

Oregon

Tennessee

New York

Illinois

Michigan

New Jersey

Wisconsin

Missouri

Virginia