Banzai Run
| 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
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
The game is based on a motocross race in Tokyo (as indicated on The Twilight Zone).[6]
Digital versions
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
- ^ 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
- 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