# Homepin Launches Official Trailer for Its This is Spinal Tap Pinball Machine

**Source:** Knapp Arcade  
**Type:** article  
**Published:** 2023-04-06  
**Beat:** Pinball

**URL:** https://www.knapparcade.org/homepin-launches-official-trailer-for-its-this-is-spinal-tap-pinball-machine

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## Analysis

HomePin, an Australian/Taiwan-based boutique pinball manufacturer, has officially announced its This is Spinal Tap pinball machine with a promotional trailer revealing key gameplay features including spinners, an exploding drummer toy, and a TV-smashing mechanic. The game includes a 27-inch LCD backglass, traditional DMD display, stainless steel ramps, original Spinal Tap soundtracks, and video scenes from the film, with first bulk shipments scheduled to leave Taiwan next month.

### Key Claims

- [HIGH] This is Spinal Tap is HomePin's next pinball machine after Thunderbirds — _Official trailer and YouTube caption from HomePin's Australian distributor_
- [HIGH] The machine features a 27-inch backglass LCD monitor — _Official YouTube caption listing machine specifications_
- [HIGH] Game includes original Spinal Tap soundtracks and cut video scenes from the original movie — _Official YouTube caption specification_
- [HIGH] First bulk shipments scheduled to leave HomePin's Taiwan factory next month — _Direct statement in article about production schedule_
- [HIGH] Game features include spinners that move a guitar, an exploding drummer, and ability to smash TV with Ian's cricket bat — _Trailer text callouts of gameplay features_

### Notable Quotes

> "This is Spinal Tap Pinball Machine Turns It Up To 11 with loads of features"
> — **HomePin/Australian distributor**
> _Official tagline for the announcement; plays on the film's 'up to 11' cultural reference_

> "Hit the spinners to move the guitar"
> — **Trailer text**
> _Key gameplay mechanic description_

> "Exploding Drummer!"
> — **Trailer text**
> _Distinctive toy/mechanical feature highlighting comedic destruction theme_

> "Release Derek from the Pod"
> — **Trailer text**
> _Story/lore mechanic referencing Spinal Tap character from the film_

### Entities

| Name | Type | Context |
|------|------|---------|
| HomePin | company | Australian/Taiwan-based boutique pinball manufacturer; previously released Thunderbirds pinball; second major commercial release is This is Spinal Tap |
| This is Spinal Tap | game | Upcoming pinball machine by HomePin based on the 1984 mockumentary film; features LCD backglass, DMD display, film content, and character-based mechanics |
| Thunderbirds | game | Previous HomePin pinball release; referenced as their prior machine |
| Spinal Tap | property/film | 1984 mockumentary comedy film being adapted into pinball by HomePin; includes characters like Derek, Ian, and drummer; associated with 'up to 11' cultural reference |
| Knapp Arcade | organization | Source of this article reporting on HomePin announcement |

### Topics

- **Primary:** Game announcement / new machine reveal, Boutique manufacturer product pipeline, Licensed IP in pinball (film/entertainment), Gameplay mechanics and features
- **Secondary:** Hardware specifications (LCD, DMD, playfield design), Manufacturing and distribution (Taiwan factory)

### Sentiment

**Positive** (0.82) — Announcement is presented straightforwardly with official specifications. Language emphasizes feature richness ('loads of features', 'Turns It Up To 11') and includes playful characterization of gameplay elements. No criticism or controversy present.

### Signals

- **[licensing_signal]** This is Spinal Tap represents HomePin's second licensed IP-based pinball after Thunderbirds, demonstrating successful acquisition of entertainment licenses and adaptation capability (confidence: high) — Use of original film soundtracks, cut video scenes, character names and references (Derek, Ian, Spinal Tap branding), replica guitar models
- **[market_signal]** HomePin appears positioned as a challenger manufacturer capable of licensing premium IP and delivering machines with modern features (LCD displays, video content) at timeline comparable to larger competitors (confidence: medium) — Second major release, scheduled volume production in Taiwan, 27-inch LCD technology inclusion, movie content integration
- **[announcement]** HomePin officially announces This is Spinal Tap pinball machine with comprehensive feature set including LCD backglass, DMD, movie content, and distinctive mechanics (confidence: high) — Official trailer with text callouts, YouTube caption with full specifications, scheduled shipping timeline

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## Transcript

This morning the Australian distributor for Homepin, maker of various pinball parts and the Thunderbirds pinball machine, shared a trailer which it claims Homepin made for its next pinball machine This is Spinal Tap.

The video has text that specifically calls out a number of the new game's features:

"Optional topper with animated eyes and" ? (the last word is blocked by the distributor's logo. Mouth maybe?

"Hit the spinners to move the guitar"

"Exploding Drummer!"

"Smash the TV with Ian's cricket bat"

"Release Derek from the Pod"

"Hail effects spinners for super spins"

Below is the caption that accompanies the video on YouTube:

"This is Spinal Tap Pinball Machine Turns It Up To 11 with loads of features including:

- 27 Inch backglass LCD monitor, Traditional DMD display, Stainless steel ramps, Quick-release steel metal Lockdown bar, Original Spinal Tap soundtracks, Cut video scenes from the original movie, Replica models of famous TAP guitars and Lifetime PCB support."

According to the post, the first of the bulk shipments of the game are scheduled to leave Homepin's Taiwan factory for distributors next month.

_(Acquisition: raw_text, Enrichment: v1)_

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*Exported from Journalist Tool on 2026-04-13 | Item ID: 7e50c175-6b9f-48bd-b732-2ef092e64de8*