# Possible Evidence that A Different Company is Now Working on a Capcom Pinball Kingpin Remake

**Source:** Knapp Arcade  
**Type:** article  
**Published:** 2023-02-21  
**Beat:** Pinball

**URL:** https://www.knapparcade.org/possible-evidence-that-a-different-company-is-now-working-on-a-capcom-pinball-kingpin-remake

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## Analysis

A new trademark application filed in February 2024 by Williams and a Netherlands-based individual suggests a potential new party may be working on a Kingpin pinball remake, replacing or supplementing Circus Maximus's stalled efforts. The specificity of the trademark and the Netherlands connection raise speculation about possible Dutch Pinball involvement, though this remains unconfirmed.

### Key Claims

- [MEDIUM] Circus Maximus has not released significant updates on their Kingpin remake in over a year or two — _Author observation of lack of public communication from Circus Maximus_
- [HIGH] A new trademark application for Kingpin was filed February 2nd by Williams and a Netherlands-based individual for pinball machines and accessories — _Direct reference to trademark database filing_
- [HIGH] Two previous Kingpin trademark applications existed: one abandoned in 2020 and one from Planetary Pinball cancelled in 2017 — _Trademark database records cited_
- [HIGH] Only nine Kingpin machines were originally produced — _Historical pinball production data; Kingpin designed by Mark Ritchie_
- [LOW] The author heard unverified rumors about Dutch Pinball working on a Big Bang Bar remake — _Author states 'I had heard rumblings...but I never knew if they were actually true'_

### Notable Quotes

> "For a while, things for that remake seemed to be on track, with a prototype game making the trip to the Southern Fried Gaming Expo and collectable translites with new art being sold."
> — **Author**
> _Documents Circus Maximus's prior progress before apparent stall_

> "However, over the past year or two there hasn't been much word out of Circus Maximus, leading to speculation that they may have abandoned the Kingpin project."
> — **Author**
> _Key observation about stalled communication from original developer_

> "I wonder if this has anything to do with Dutch Pinball?"
> — **Author**
> _Speculative connection between new trademark applicant and Dutch Pinball_

> "Only nine of this Mark Ritchie-designed game were ever produced, so it's exceptionally rare and may have a market."
> — **Author**
> _Establishes rarity/collector value of original Kingpin_

### Entities

| Name | Type | Context |
|------|------|---------|
| Circus Maximus | company | Pinball remake developer who previously worked on Kingpin remake; appears stalled/abandoned project over past 1-2 years |
| Kingpin | game | Rare Capcom pinball machine (9 units produced) designed by Mark Ritchie; subject of remake efforts |
| Dutch Pinball | company | Netherlands-based pinball manufacturer; speculated to be connected to new Kingpin trademark application and possibly Big Bang Bar remake |
| Planetary Pinball | company | Filed cancelled trademark for Kingpin in 2017 |
| Williams | company | Joint applicant (with Netherlands individual) on February 2024 Kingpin trademark |
| Mark Ritchie | person | Original designer of Kingpin pinball machine |
| Big Bang Bar | game | Capcom pinball machine; subject of unconfirmed rumors about Dutch Pinball remake |
| Southern Fried Gaming Expo | event | Event where Circus Maximus Kingpin prototype was displayed |

### Topics

- **Primary:** Capcom pinball game remakes, Kingpin remake project status, Trademark filings and IP licensing
- **Secondary:** Dutch Pinball business activities, Rare pinball machine collecting, Manufacturer project stalls and delays

### Sentiment

**Neutral** (0.5) — Author maintains objective analytical tone while reporting on trademark evidence; speculates about Dutch Pinball involvement without making definitive claims; cautiously optimistic about remake prospects ('third time is the charm?')

### Signals

- **[business_signal]** New trademark application suggests potential developer change for Kingpin remake, with Netherlands-based applicant possibly indicating Dutch Pinball involvement (confidence: medium) — February 2024 Williams trademark application with Netherlands individual for Kingpin pinball machines and accessories
- **[leak_detection]** Trademark application database provides first concrete evidence of new Kingpin remake development after extended silence (confidence: high) — Specific trademark filing found in public database with clear Kingpin and pinball machine references
- **[product_strategy]** Circus Maximus Kingpin remake appears stalled with minimal public communication over past 1-2 years (confidence: medium) — Author notes 'over the past year or two there hasn't been much word out of Circus Maximus' despite prior prototype displays
- **[rumor_hype]** Unconfirmed reports of Dutch Pinball working on Big Bang Bar remake, now connected speculatively to Kingpin trademark application (confidence: low) — Author states 'I had heard rumblings about Dutch and a Big Bang Bar Remake, but I never knew if they were actually true'

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## Transcript

For years, a small group of pinball enthusiasts named Circus Maximus worked on a remake of the very rare Capcom pinball machine, Kingpin. For a while, things for that remake seemed to be on track, with a prototype game making the trip to the Southern Fried Gaming Expo and collectable translites with new art being sold. However, over the past year or two there hasn't been much word out of Circus Maximus, leading to speculation that they may have abandoned the Kingpin project.

It appears as though there may be a new party interested in remaking Kingpin. If I'm reading this February 2nd trademark application correctly, Williams and an individual in the Netherlands filed an application to use Kingpin in "Pinball machines, parts and accessories for pinball machines" and various items of clothing. Much like the Twilight Zone trademark application that I wrote about in my previous post, this is a very specific application, not some sort of large blanket filing.

In addition to the brand new live Trademark for Kingpin pinball, the database contains two dead ones, one that was abandoned in 2020 and one from Planetary Pinball that was cancelled in 2017. Neither of those filings resulted in a remake of the game. Perhaps the third time is the charm?

I don't recognize the name of the new applicant, but the fact that they are in the Netherlands jumps out at me. I wonder if this has anything to do with Dutch Pinball? I had heard rumblings about Dutch and a Big Bang Bar Remake, but I never knew if they were actually true. Here's another potential link to Dutch Pinball and Capcom Pinball remakes.

Only nine of this Mark Ritchie-designed game were ever produced, so it's exceptionally rare and may have a market. There's definitely a lot of speculation here, but is the first concrete reference to a Kingpin remake that I've seen in quite a while, so it's definitely something to keep an eye on.

_(Acquisition: raw_text, Enrichment: v1)_

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*Exported from Journalist Tool on 2026-04-13 | Item ID: 4feae52e-9676-4516-9c0e-1be22787ae71*