Banzai Run
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| Manufacturer | Williams |
|---|---|
| Release date | May 1988 |
| System | Williams System 11B |
| Design | Pat Lawlor, Larry DeMar |
| Programming | Larry DeMar, Ed Boon |
| Artwork | Mark Sprenger |
| Mechanics | John Krutsch |
| Music | Brian Schmidt |
| Sound | Brian Schmidt |
| Production run | 1,751 units (approximate) |
Banzai Run is a pinball machine produced by Williams in 1988, and the first machine designed by Pat Lawlor. It has a multi-playfield design, in which the player can play a vertical game on the machine's backglass in addition to the main playfield. The concept was patented by Pat Lawlor and Larry DeMar,[1] but due to cost was never used again.[2]
Design and layout
[edit]The concept and layout for this game were developed for Wreck'n Ball or Wrecking Ball (the name wasn't finalized) in 1987 which was never completed and acted as a prototype for Banzai Run. Other than the theme the biggest difference between them is how the ball moves from the main playfield to the backbox playfield.[3]
The machine only used 2 balls in play during the multiball, but contained 3 balls. The software in the machine could compensate for a lost ball to reduce the time it could otherwise have been out of order. This was the first Williams pinball machine with this feature.[5]
Gameplay
[edit]The game is based on a motocross race in Tokyo (as indicated on The Twilight Zone).[6]
Digital versions
[edit]Banzai Run was released for The Pinball Arcade in March 2018, but delisted on June 30, 2018, due to the loss of the WMS license.[7]
It was released alongside Black Knight 2000 and Earthshaker! for Pinball FX on December 12, 2024.[8]
References
[edit]- ^ US 4840375, Lawlor, Patrick M. & DeMar, Lawrence E., "Pinball Machine", published June 17, 1987, issued June 20, 1989
- ^ Shalhoub, Michael (2012). The pinball compendium, 1982 to present (2nd ed.). Atglen, Pa: Schiffer Pub. p. 100. ISBN 978-0-7643-4107-6.
- ^ Horowitz, Ken (2023). From pinballs to pixels: an arcade history of Williams-Bally-Midway. Jefferson, North Carolina: McFarland & Company, Inc., Publishers. ISBN 978-1-4766-4796-8.
- ^ "New products - Banzai Run". Play Meter. Vol. 14, no. 9. September 1988. p. 159.
- ^ Erickson, Todd (December 1988). "Three generations of pinball". Play Meter. Vol. 14, no. 11. p. 125.
- ^ McFatter, James (June 22, 2023). "Challenge Accepted: Moving and Grooving to Williams' Banzai Run". Kineticist. Retrieved June 23, 2025.
- ^ Lawson, Aurich (May 8, 2018). "The Pinball Arcade is losing its classic tables; grab them while you can". Ars Technica. Retrieved January 3, 2025.
- ^ "Dive into Williams™ Pinball Volume 8!". Zen Studios. December 12, 2024. Retrieved January 10, 2025.
External links
[edit]- Banzai Run at the Internet Pinball Database
- Pinball Archive rule sheet
- Internet Pinball Serial Number Database entry
- Banzai Run Game Tutorial
- 'Wreck'n Ball' at the Internet Pinball Database
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