The 15 Best Pinball Machines of the Late 80s (1985-1989)
Summary
Tim Sexton ranked countdown of 15 essential pinball machines from 1985–1989, highlighting Williams' innovation and storytelling evolution.
Tim Sexton ranks the 15 best pinball machines released between 1985–1989, a recovery period following the video game crash. He highlights Williams' dominance during this era, emphasizing innovations like shaker motors, upper playfields, and storytelling integration. The list spans from Earthshaker (#15) to High Speed (#1), showcasing how sound design, theming, and emerging display technology transformed pinball gameplay and player engagement.
I took a look at every pinball machine released during the late 1980s. These were the first pinball machines to have real music and storytelling. Plus amazing light shows, amazing sound effects, and amazing gameplay. These 15 games are sure to bring back nostalgic memories of playing in rec centers, arcades, pizza shops, bars, bowling alleys, and corner stores because they earned a lot of quarters! ~~~~~~~~ Social Media Links ~~~~~~~~ tiktok.com/timballs twitch.tv/timballs
In this video
Banzai Run
Williams
Big Guns
Williams
Black Knight 2000
Williams
Cyclone
Williams
Earthshaker
Williams
Elvira and the Party Monsters
Bally
Elvira's House of Horrors
Stern
F-14 Tomcat
Williams
High Speed
Williams
Jack•Bot
Williams
Mousin' Around!
Bally
Pinbot
Williams
Road Kings
Williams
Scared Stiff
Bally
Sorcerer
Williams
Space Station
Williams
Taxi
Williams
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