Short answer: Stern Pinball, based near Chicago, is the largest pinball manufacturer today. Jersey Jack Pinball, Spooky Pinball, Chicago Gaming Company, American Pinball, Multimorphic and Dutch Pinball also build new machines in smaller numbers. The classic makers, Williams, Bally, Gottlieb and Data East, no longer make pinball, so every machine with their name on it is pre-owned.
For most of the twentieth century, pinball was a Chicago industry: Gottlieb, Williams and Bally built almost every machine sold in the United States. By the end of 1999 all three had left the business, and for a decade Stern was effectively the only company still building new pinball machines. Since 2011 a wave of new makers has joined it. This guide covers who builds pinball machines today, how they differ, and the classic names you will see on pre-owned machines.
Who makes pinball machines today
For manufacturer background, consult the Stern company overview and the Jersey Jack company overview. Check the exact game’s documentation when comparing models; use our pinball buyer’s guide to organize budget, space and inspection questions.
Stern Pinball
The largest maker by far, based in the Chicago suburbs. Stern grew out of Sega’s pinball division in 1999 and has released new licensed titles every year since. Most current games come in three versions: Pro, Premium and Limited Edition, sharing the same rules and layout, with the Premium and LE adding mechanisms, lighting and trim. Recent titles include Godzilla, Jaws, Foo Fighters, The Mandalorian and Stranger Things. See Stern pinball machines for sale.
Jersey Jack Pinball
Founded in New Jersey in 2011, Jersey Jack Pinball builds larger, heavier machines with a big LCD screen in the backbox, starting with The Wizard of Oz. Its games come as Standard, Limited and Collector’s Editions, and the Hobbit, Pirates of the Caribbean and Willy Wonka are among its best-known titles. See Jersey Jack pinball machines.
Spooky Pinball
A small Wisconsin maker known for short production runs and horror and pop-culture themes, including Rob Zombie’s Spookshow International, Halloween and Scooby-Doo. Spooky machines change hands quickly because so few are made.
Chicago Gaming Company
Best known for building faithful remakes of classic 1990s Williams and Bally games, including Medieval Madness, Attack from Mars and Monster Bash, with modern electronics and lighting. It has also released original titles such as Pulp Fiction.
American Pinball, Multimorphic and Dutch Pinball
American Pinball, near Chicago, has produced games including Houdini and Hot Wheels. Multimorphic, in Texas, builds the P3, a platform whose playfield can be swapped for different game kits. Dutch Pinball, in the Netherlands, built The Big Lebowski.
The classic makers
- Gottlieb (Chicago) built Baffle Ball in 1931 and, with Humpty Dumpty in 1947, the first pinball machine with flippers. It left pinball in the 1990s.
- Williams (Chicago) built many of the most collected games of the 1990s: Medieval Madness under its own name, and Twilight Zone, Attack from Mars and The Addams Family under the Bally name. Williams stopped making pinball in 1999. See Williams pinball machines.
- Bally (Chicago) was one of the great pinball names of the 1970s and 1980s. From 1988 its pinball machines were designed and built by Williams, so 1990s Bally and Williams games share hardware and parts. See Bally pinball machines.
- Data East built pinball from 1987 to 1994, including Jurassic Park, Star Wars and Lethal Weapon 3, then sold its pinball division to Sega, which became Stern Pinball in 1999.
Which manufacturer should you buy?
For a new machine with current code, online features and a manufacturer warranty, Stern has the widest choice and the easiest parts supply; decide between Pro and Premium on how much you value toys and lighting over price. Jersey Jack machines suit buyers who want a larger, screen-heavy game. For a classic, 1990s Williams and Bally games remain the reference: parts are widely available and the best titles hold their value. The best pinball machines of all time list and the how to choose a pinball machine guide go further, and you can browse new pinball machines or vintage and classic pinball machines. See our Pulp Fiction Pinball – Special Edition by CGC.
Quick answers
Who makes pinball machines today?
Stern Pinball is the largest maker. Jersey Jack Pinball, Spooky Pinball, Chicago Gaming Company, American Pinball, Multimorphic and Dutch Pinball also build new machines.
What is the biggest pinball manufacturer?
Stern Pinball, based near Chicago, builds more new pinball machines than any other company.
Does Williams still make pinball machines?
No. Williams stopped making pinball in 1999, so every Williams machine for sale is pre-owned. Chicago Gaming Company has remade some Williams titles under licence.
Who made the first pinball machine with flippers?
Gottlieb, with Humpty Dumpty in 1947.
Are Bally and Williams pinball machines the same?
From 1988 Bally pinball machines were designed and built by Williams, so 1990s Bally and Williams games share hardware and parts.
What happened to Data East pinball?
Data East built pinball from 1987 to 1994, then sold its pinball division to Sega; Sega’s pinball business became Stern Pinball in 1999.
More guides
- How to choose a pinball machine
- How to play pinball: rules, flipper skills and tips
- The 20-minute monthly maintenance routine
- Pinball machine dimensions and weight
- How to move a pinball machine
- The best pinball machines of all time
- How much does a pinball machine cost?
- Pinball machine repair: what breaks and what it costs
- Home arcade machine buying guide
- Pac-Man arcade machine guide
- The 20 best arcade games of all time
- Bubble hockey tables: how they play and what they cost