Episode 113 - Best Game Ever: WHITEWATER
Podcast
Wedgehead Pinball Podcast
44 min
Summary
Wedgehead declares Whitewater the greatest pinball game ever, analyzing its design across every dimension.
Alan and Alex the Waterboy of the Wedgehead Pinball Podcast argue that Whitewater (Williams, 1993) is the greatest pinball game ever made. They systematically examine the game across multiple dimensions: original theme integration, world under glass design, sound design by Chris Granner, art by John Youssi, rule set by Mike Boon, and playfield layout by Dennis Nordman. The hosts emphasize how Whitewater excels in scope, restraint, and execution compared to modern licensed games.
Highlights
- Whitewater sold 7,000 units, which is 10x more than the best-selling games many modern companies have made
- Whitewater has the single greatest 'world under glass' implementation of any pinball machine ever made
- Chris Granner sound design on Whitewater is his greatest masterpiece
- John Youssi's art package on Whitewater is the best singular art package of the 1990s
- Modern pinball manufacturers have moved away from original themes in favor of licensed IP as a sales crutch
- Mike Boon, designer of Whitewater's software, also worked as lead programmer on Indy 500 and Scared Stiff
- Dennis Nordman is the single most overlooked and disrespected designer of the modern ramp/mode era
- Warren Davis, the voice of Wet Willie, also created Cubert
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