# How Many Barry O's BBQ Challenges Were Built?; What's on the Production Line at American Pinball?; Arcade Auction **Source:** Knapp Arcade **Type:** article **Published:** 2026-01-20 **Beat:** Pinball **URL:** https://www.knapparcade.org/blog/how-many-barry-os-bbq-challenges-were-built-whats-on-the-production-line-at-american-pinball-arcade-auction --- ## Analysis American Pinball's new ownership reveals production updates: GTF Deluxe and Houdini Deluxe are currently on production lines, Hot Wheels license expired end of 2025, and Barry O's BBQ Challenge had limited production (125-200 units total). New ownership commits to technology and connectivity as central to future development strategy. Planetary Pinball is conducting a major auction of classic arcade and pinball art. ### Key Claims - [HIGH] Galactic Tank Force Deluxe and Houdini Deluxe are currently on American Pinball's two production lines at Palatine, Illinois factory — _New ownership at American Pinball confirmed these titles are active in production_ - [HIGH] American Pinball's Hot Wheels license expired at the end of 2025 — _Stated directly by American Pinball representative via new ownership_ - [HIGH] Barry O's BBQ Challenge production will be 125-200 units total, with 40-50 more potentially being produced — _Direct quote from American Pinball representative stating 'less than 150' already built, with final numbers between 125-200_ - [HIGH] American Pinball will continue supporting older titles with parts, code updates, and support — _New ownership statement about ongoing support strategy_ - [HIGH] New American Pinball ownership prioritizes 'Technology and connectivity (that is intuitive and is valuable to players)' as central to development plan — _Direct quote from new ownership representatives_ ### Notable Quotes > "BBQ sales: I can check but I am pretty sure its less than 150. We may only at best produce 40-50 more. Once the playfields are gone we are finished. Final production numbers will be between 125-200 units." > — **American Pinball representative (new ownership)**, article date January 19, 2026 > _Provides specific scarcity data for Barry O's BBQ Challenge, confirming it as a rare machine with limited lifetime production_ > "Technology and connectivity (that is intuitive and is valuable to players) is something that will be central to our development plan going forward." > — **American Pinball new ownership**, article date January 19, 2026 > _Signals strategic direction for American Pinball under new management, emphasizing tech integration as core competency_ ### Entities | Name | Type | Context | |------|------|---------| | American Pinball | company | Pinball manufacturer undergoing ownership transition; currently producing GTF Deluxe, Houdini Deluxe, and Legends of Valhalla | | Barry O's BBQ Challenge | game | American Pinball title with limited production run (125-200 units total); soon to be discontinued due to playfield depletion | | Galactic Tank Force Deluxe | game | American Pinball title currently in production at Palatine, Illinois factory | | Houdini Deluxe | game | American Pinball title currently in production; winding down production soon | | Legends of Valhalla | game | American Pinball title that will continue in production | | Hot Wheels | game | American Pinball licensed title; license expired end of 2025; final ordered units being completed | | Planetary Pinball | company | Company conducting major auction of classic arcade and pinball art and memorabilia | | Knapp Arcade | organization | Source of this article; covers pinball industry news | | Palatine, Illinois | location | Location of American Pinball's factory where GTF Deluxe and Houdini Deluxe are in production | ### Topics - **Primary:** American Pinball ownership transition and production updates, Barry O's BBQ Challenge production scarcity, Licensing expiration (Hot Wheels), Technology and connectivity strategy at American Pinball - **Secondary:** Planetary Pinball arcade art auction ### Sentiment **Positive** (0.72) — New ownership at American Pinball appears constructive with focus on technology integration and ongoing support for titles. Scarcity information about Barry O's BBQ Challenge is framed neutrally. Overall tone is informative and industry-focused without negativity. ### Signals - **[business_signal]** American Pinball undergoes ownership transition with new strategic direction emphasizing technology and connectivity (confidence: high) — New ownership statements about central development plan focus on 'Technology and connectivity (that is intuitive and is valuable to players)' - **[licensing_signal]** Hot Wheels license expiration impacts American Pinball production; license expired end of 2025 (confidence: high) — Stated: 'AP's license for Hot Wheels expired at the end of 2025. American is currently finishing up the last ordered units of that game.' - **[product_strategy]** American Pinball production transitioning away from Houdini and Hot Wheels toward GTF Deluxe and Legends of Valhalla (confidence: high) — Direct statement: 'AP will continue to build GTF and Legends of Valhalla. It will begin winding down production of its first pinball machine, Houdini soon.' - **[product_strategy]** Barry O's BBQ Challenge confirmed as rare limited production game with 125-200 units lifetime production (confidence: high) — Quote: 'Final production numbers will be between 125-200 units. Once the playfields are gone we are finished.' --- ## Transcript News How Many Barry O's BBQ Challenges Were Built?; What's on the Production Line at American Pinball?; Arcade Auction k knapparcade January 19, 2026 With the introduction of new ownership at American Pinball (AP), we are starting to learn all sorts of interesting stuff about the company. First off, we found out that Galactic Tank Force Deluxe (GTF) and Houdini Deluxe are currently on the Company's two production lines at its Palatine, Illinois factory. AP's license for Hot Wheels expired at the end of 2025. American is currently finishing up the last ordered units of that game. AP will continue to build GTF and Legends of Valhalla. It will begin winding down production of its first pinball machine, Houdini soon. While old games will roll out of production, American will continue to support older titles with parts, code updates and support. We also received interesting information on just how many Barry O's BBQ Challenge games have been built. It certainly sounds as though it is going to be a fairly rare machine: " BBQ sales: I can check but I am pretty sure its less than 150. We may only at best produce 40-50 more. Once the playfields are gone we are finished. Final production numbers will be between 125-200 units. Hope that helps. Also of note, the new ownership of AP stated that "Technology and connectivity (that is intuitive and is valuable to players) is something that will be central to our development plan going forward." That's great to hear. It remains to be seen whether that will be through integration with Scorbit or through some sort of proprietary AP system. * The big Planetary Pinball auction of classic arcade and pinball art that I wrote here about a month or two ago is now live. There's a lot of cool stuff up there. I placed bids on several items. Though someone keeps outbidding me for the prototype Total Recall pinball playfield art lol. It doesn't look like I'm going to get that one. Below is a link for anyone who wants to bid on anything. I have included some pictures of some of the cool stuff that is for sale below as well. https://entertainment.ha.com/c/auction-home.zx?saleNo=41198 _(Acquisition: raw_text, Enrichment: v1)_ --- *Exported from Journalist Tool on 2026-04-13 | Item ID: 282c271d-7ed6-4867-b2f6-b8a91e6feea7*