10 Top Most Entertaining Pinball Machines Of All Time

When it comes to the most iconic pinball machines of all time, who’s on the high score table? Any fan will tell you, pinball machines aren’t just games, they’re pieces of art that have defined generations of arcade enthusiasts. From the mechanical wonders of the past to the digital marvels of today, pinball machines have evolved dramatically over the years.

So place your finger on the flipper button and ready a combo shot as we take on deciding the top pinball machines of all time.

1. Godzilla (Premium)
2. Twilight Zone
3. Theatre of Magic
4. Star Trek: The Next Generation
5. Medieval Madness
6. Scared Stiff
7. Indiana Jones: The Pinball Adventure
8. The Addams Family
9. Monster Bash
10. White Water

What Is The Most Popular Pinball Machine?

When it comes to pinball, beauty is in the eye of the beholder—or, perhaps more accurately, in the hands of the player. Selecting the best pinball machine games is no small feat, given the vast array of machines that have captivated players over the years. Our selection criteria focused on a combination of factors that contribute to a pinball machine’s iconic status, gameplay experience, and lasting appeal.

• Historical Significance: How the machine impacted the world of pinball, introducing new technologies (such as dot-matrix display), or gameplay innovations.
• Gameplay & Mechanics: The creativity of the playfield design, the flow of the ball, the tilt mechanism, and the balance between challenge and fun.
• Cabinet Art & Aesthetics: Visual and thematic appeal, including the backglass, playfield art, and cabinet design.
• Popularity & Commercial Success: Units sold, longevity in arcades, and continued demand in the collector’s market.
• Cultural Impact: The machine’s presence in popular culture, including movies, television, and other media.
• Player Reviews & Testimonials: Feedback from the pinball community, including amateur players, professionals, and collectors.

With these guidelines in mind, let’s flip our way through the annals of pinball history to celebrate the top 10 pinball machines of all time.

1. Godzilla (Premium (Stern, 2021)

The sheer thrill of battling the legendary monster Godzilla makes this pinball machine a fan favorite. Produced by Stern, it challenges players to defeat the colossal beast in cityscape chaos. Packed with jaw-dropping multiball action and stunning artwork, Godzilla offers a monster-sized adventure that leaves players breathless and wanting more.

• Features a motorized Mechagodzilla figure with a rotating magnet and a ball-catching mechanism.
• The Bridge Destruction Mechanism collapses a bridge that interacts with gameplay.
• Stern’s connectivity system, allowing players to track progress and compete globally.
• Incorporates original theme songs from the 1954 movie and Blue Öyster Cult’s “Godzilla.”

2. Twilight Zone (Bally, 1993)

Twilight Zone takes the concept of pinball to another dimension, with its mesmerizing playfield and time-traveling features. Known for its innovative Powerball and magnetic pinball features, this machine offers a truly unique experience. Released by Bally in 1993, it challenges players with its complex rule set and thrilling modes. Step into the Twilight Zone, and prepare to be amazed!

• Widebody Design: Part of the “SuperPin” series, offering a larger playfield.
• Gumball Machine: A unique feature that stores and releases balls during gameplay.
• Powerball: A ceramic ball that is lighter and faster than standard steel balls, affecting gameplay dynamics.
• Clock Mechanism: A working analog clock that plays a role in game modes.

3.Theatre of Magic (Bally, 1995)

Theatre of Magic is a pinball machine from March 1995. Manufactured by Bally Manufacturing Co., this game was designed by John Popadiuk and features many of his design staples, such as magnets, a bash toy, and elaborate ramps. Based on an unlicensed magic theme, your goal on this table is to perform eight different magic tricks and then complete a rather simple wizard mode.

There are numerous side goals, such as spelling “Theatre” and advancing the clock to Midnight Madness (not to be confused with the midnight madness featured in some other Bally/WMS games), as well as a video mode featuring a virtual pinball game.

• The prominent bash toy, dubbed “The Magic Trunk”, which starts game modes as well as multiball and plays a role in many of the aforementioned modes.
• A machine-controlled magna-save feature placed over each inlane, as well as a magnetic ring that picks up the ball and moves it from one ramp to another.
• A hidden scoop that pops up from the playfield like the trolls in Medieval Madness, which releases balls shot into the crate and locked balls for multiball, as well as giving a mystery award during normal gameplay.

4. Star Trek: The Next Generation (Williams, 1993)

Star Trek fans rejoice! This Stern pinball machine takes players through a sci-fi journey aboard the USS Enterprise. With voices from the original cast and thrilling missions that transport players into the Star Trek universe, it’s no wonder this machine ranks among the coolest pinball machines. The engaging gameplay and intricate design make it a classic that continues to captivate Trekkies and gamers alike.

• Dual Phasers: Two gun-shaped ball launchers for player-controlled shots.
• Widebody Format: Allows for a more expansive playfield and complex features.
• Multiple Missions: Seven main missions based on the TV series.
• Voice Clips: Features voices from the original cast members.

5. Medieval Madness (Williams, 1997)

Released by Williams in 1997, Medieval Madness is a journey back to a time of knights, castles, and relentless fun. Renowned for its comedic take on the Middle Ages, excellent voice acting, clever gameplay mechanics (like attacking and destroying castles), and a deeply engaging ruleset, Medieval Madness is often cited as one of the greatest pinball machines ever made. Its popularity and demand were so high that a remastered version was released, allowing a new generation of players to enjoy this classic.

• Gameplay includes a central animated castle with a drawbridge and portcullis that players can destroy.
• Hidden trolls pop-up throughout the game to challenge players.
• Features voices from Tina Fey and Scott Adsit that add comedic elements.
• A catapult mechanism allows players to launch balls at targets.

6. Scared Stiff (Bally, 1996)

Scared Stiff invites players into Elvira’s haunted house of fun, combining spooky thrills with hilarious humor. With intricate details and cleverly designed shots, this Bally machine offers unique features that engage and entertain. The cheeky voiceover from Elvira herself adds to the charm, making every bounce of the ball an exhilarating experience you won’t want to end.

• Elvira Theme: Hosted by Elvira, Mistress of the Dark, providing voiceovers and thematic elements.
• Six Tales of Terror: Players complete six unique modes to achieve the “Scared Stiff” mode.
• Spinning Spider: A backglass feature that players control to select awards.
• Interactive Crate: A physical crate on the playfield that opens to reveal features.

7. Indiana Jones: The Pinball Adventure (Williams, 1993)

Harrison Ford isn’t just an onscreen hero; he’s also a pinball legend with Indiana Jones: The Pinball Adventure. Released by Williams, this machine delivers adventures inspired by the iconic franchise, featuring whip-cracking action, hidden multiball feats, and authentic voice clips. It’s a treasure trove of action-packed gameplay that lets you live out your wildest archeological fantasies.

• Has a tilting playfield that players navigate to complete objectives.
• The Multiball Modes include modes like “Well of Souls” and “Raiders Multiball.”
• Features custom speech by actor John Rhys-Davies (Sallah).
• The DCS Sound System made this the first pinball machine to utilize Williams’ Digital Compression System for enhanced audio.

8. The Addams Family (Bally, 1992)

The Addams Family is not only a cultural icon but also holds the title for best-selling pinball machine of all time. This Bally creation features the quirky and spooky Addams Family world, complete with interactive gadgets and an engaging dot-matrix display. Its unique features include “Thing” popping out of a box and Mansion doors that hide special surprises, making it an all-time favorite with over 20,000 units sold.

• Thing flips an automated flipper controlled by the machine to make shots.
• A magnet under the playfield that affects ball movement unpredictably.
• Features voices from Anjelica Huston and Raul Julia, stars of the 1991 film.
• A central “Mansion” mode, encouraging players to complete 12 unique room challenges leading to a thrilling wizard mode.

9. Monster Bash (Williams,1998)

What do Dracula, Frankenstein, and the Wolfman have in common? They’re rocking out in Monster Bash! This game is a perfect blend of horror and humor, with iconic movie monsters forming a band and getting ready to put on a legendary concert. The game’s awesome dot-matrix display and lively themes ensure every ball gets the crowd roaring with laughter and applause.

• Universal Monsters Theme: Features classic monsters like Dracula, Frankenstein, and The Wolfman.
• Instruments Collection: Players collect musical instruments to form the “Monsters of Rock” band.
• Custom Animations: Each monster has unique animations and modes.
• Humorous Elements: Incorporates comedy into gameplay and character interactions.

10. White Water (Williams,1993)

White Water is a non-licensed pinball machine with a primary objective of moving your raft down the river to “Wet Willy’s” to get the “Vacation Jackpot.” You move your raft down the river by shooting the flashing “Hazard” shots, each with a unique rafting theme name. Each time you complete a raft, the number of “Hazard” shots you must hit successfully to complete the next raft increases. It takes eight completed rafts to advance to “Wet Willy’s.”

Successfully completing “Wet Willy’s” enables you to attempt the collection of the “Vacation Jackpot.” There are subsequent objectives in the game, which include:

• Multiball: To start multiball, light the lock ball shot by hitting the “Lite” and “Lock” targets and then successfully shoot the ball in the ball lock, also called the “No Way Out” Hazard. Doing this 3 times will start multiball.
• Whirlpool: Completing the “Whirlpool” shot will activate one of six awards or modes, which is determined by what is lit when the “Whirlpool” shot is hit. To light the “Whirlpool”, thus making the shot active, successfully hit the “Insanity Falls” shot. After hitting the “Insanity Falls” shot, you will know the “Whirlpool” is active when the red light above the shot is lit. One of the six awards or modes starts when the Whirlpool shot, also called “Bigfoot Bluff”, is successfully competed.
• Big Foot Hotfoot: There are two “Hotfoot” targets in the middle of the playfield. Hitting both targets comprises a complete “Hotfoot”, and the “Hotfoot” targets are reset. Depending on the machine settings, successfully completing the specified number of “Hotfoot” targets starts the “Bigfoot Hotfoot” mode which allows you to get successive “Bigfoot Jackpots.”
• Lost Mine: Hitting the ball in the “Lost Mine” shot awards an item needed to start the “Gold Rush” multiball. Three items that must be collected to start this multiball, a flashlight, a map, and a key. These items can be collected through either the “Lost Mine” or the “Bigfoot Hotfoot.” Once all three items have been collected, successfully hitting the “Lost Mine” shot starts the “Gold Rush” multiball.

You Decide Your Personal Greatest Pinball Machine

At Billiards N More in Las Vegas, NV, we’re always thinking about the clinking of quarters, the glow of neon lights, and the thrilling sound of a silver ball ricocheting off bumpers. So, we’re leaving an honorary spot on our list of the most popular pinball machines of all time open for you to explore. It’s all about you having fun with the pinball machine that’s perfect for you at the end of the day.

What’s The Best-Selling Pinball Machine Of All Time?

The best-selling pinball machine of all time is The Addams Family, released by Bally in 1992. Designed by the legendary Pat Lawlor and based on the hit 1991 film, this machine quickly became a phenomenon in both arcades and private collections. It holds the record with over 20,000 units sold worldwide, a benchmark that has yet to be surpassed by any other pinball title.

What made The Addams Family such a runaway success? A perfect blend of innovative gameplay, humor, and recognizable branding.

Its mass appeal came from its technical innovations and broad accessibility. It offered just enough complexity to hook experienced players while remaining friendly to newcomers. Decades later, The Addams Family remains a crown jewel in pinball collections and a must-play classic for enthusiasts.

Your Las Vegas Shop For Pinball Machines

Whether you’re a seasoned pinball wizard or new to the click and clack of those silver balls, exploring these top machines is an adventure. From popular, new-in-box machines to meticulously refurbished classics, At Billiards N More we carry scores of popular pinball machines and game room furniture in our two Las Vegas locations. While all our games may vary in theme and design, they all share the power to bring people together, sparking joy, competition, and sometimes, a bit of fun frustration.