# New Jon Norris Pinball Machine Design - Golden Buffalo

**Source:** Knapp Arcade  
**Type:** article  
**Published:** 2022-09-13  
**Beat:** Pinball

**URL:** https://www.knapparcade.org/new-jon-norris-pinball-machine-design-golden-buffalo

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## Analysis

Jon Norris, a well-known pinball designer, has shared a second new pinball machine design called 'Golden Buffalo' featuring a video slot machine theme with dual rule sets (luck vs. skill-based). The design incorporates off-the-shelf assemblies, LCD screen for slot displays, and references classic slot machine licenses like Buffalo Gold and Cleopatra. Norris previously shared a 'Champs Elysees' design in June.

### Key Claims

- [HIGH] Jon Norris designed 'Golden Buffalo,' a video slot machine-themed pinball with dual rule sets — _Design shared on Jon Norris's Facebook page and reported by Knapp Arcade_
- [HIGH] Golden Buffalo features two rule sets: 'MORE LUCK' (random slot spins triggering features) and 'MORE SKILL' (eliminating random features for proficient players) — _Direct quote from Norris's design description_
- [HIGH] The design uses an upper target bank layout based on Gottlieb Hot Shots with additional pop bumpers forming a 'Power Diamond' — _Design specification in Norris's description_
- [HIGH] The slot machine uses a small LCD screen to display spins with player-controlled reel stopping mechanics — _Feature description in design document_
- [HIGH] Norris previously shared a 'Champs Elysees' Street Level-esque design in June — _Reference in article introduction_

### Notable Quotes

> "GOLDEN BUFFALO Video Slot Machine theme pinball machine. Here is my latest pinball design. It uses off-the-shelf assemblies & mechs."
> — **Jon Norris**
> _Opening of design concept, establishing use of standard components for manufacturability_

> "Two rule sets (player chooses at game start), the MORE LUCK version allows slot spins to trigger pinball features and the MORE SKILL version eliminates all random features and adds some advanced pinball features for proficient pinball players."
> — **Jon Norris**
> _Core design philosophy balancing casual (luck-based) and competitive (skill-based) gameplay_

> "Player can stop the reels (just like on a real slot machine) by pressing flipper button or skip all pending slot spins and warp to summary screen by pressing action button."
> — **Jon Norris**
> _Interactive slot machine mechanic design leveraging existing pinball controls_

> "Perfect candidate to use a famous slot machine license such as Buffalo Gold, Dancing Drums, Reel' Em In, Cleopatra, 5 Dragons, Wheel of Fortune, etc."
> — **Jon Norris**
> _Suggests licensing opportunities for potential manufacturer implementation_

> "I'd love to see a manufacturer build one of these games."
> — **Knapp Arcade (article author)**
> _Community interest signal; indicates design has appeal to media/enthusiasts but lacks manufacturer commitment_

### Entities

| Name | Type | Context |
|------|------|---------|
| Jon Norris | person | Well-known pinball designer sharing concept designs for potential manufacturer development |
| Golden Buffalo | game | Unreleased pinball machine concept design by Jon Norris featuring video slot machine theme |
| Champs Elysees | game | Prior pinball design by Jon Norris shared in June, Street Level-esque style |
| Knapp Arcade | organization | Pinball enthusiast website/media outlet reporting on Jon Norris designs |
| Buffalo Gold | product | Slot machine license suggested by Norris as potential IP for Golden Buffalo pinball |
| Gottlieb Hot Shots | game | Classic pinball game whose upper target bank layout inspired Golden Buffalo design |

### Topics

- **Primary:** Pinball Machine Design & Innovation, Hybrid Pinball/Slot Machine Theme, Dual Rule Set Design (Casual vs. Competitive)
- **Secondary:** Licensing Opportunities for Pinball, LCD Integration in Pinball Games

### Sentiment

**Positive** (0.82) — Enthusiastic coverage of novel design concept with community interest expressed. No criticism of the design itself, though no manufacturer commitment is evident. Tone is celebratory of Norris's creative work.

### Signals

- **[design_philosophy]** Golden Buffalo implements dual rule set strategy to appeal to both casual (luck-based) and competitive (skill-based) players, addressing market segmentation (confidence: high) — Design explicitly includes 'MORE LUCK' and 'MORE SKILL' versions with separate champion tables
- **[licensing_signal]** Norris identifies specific slot machine IPs (Buffalo Gold, Dancing Drums, Cleopatra, etc.) as ideal licensing candidates for potential manufacturer implementation (confidence: high) — Norris directly recommends slot machine licenses as perfect fit for Golden Buffalo concept
- **[announcement]** Jon Norris publicly shares 'Golden Buffalo' pinball machine concept design on Facebook (confidence: high) — Design shared on Norris's Facebook page and reported by Knapp Arcade media outlet
- **[technology_signal]** Design integrates LCD screen for slot machine display mechanics with flipper-based interactive controls, representing pinball/video game hybrid approach (confidence: medium) — Design uses small LCD screen for slot spins with player control via flipper buttons and action buttons

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## Transcript

After sharing his cool "CHAMPS ELYSEES" Street Level-esque pinball design with the World back in June, the well-known pinball designer Jon Norris is back sharing a second new design on his Facebook page. This second design is for a game that he calls "GOLDEN BUFFALO." It uses a Video Slot Machine design and looks very cool. I'd love to see a manufacturer build one of these games.

"GOLDEN BUFFALO Video Slot Machine theme pinball machine.

Here is my latest pinball design. It uses off-the-shelf assemblies & mechs. The upper target banks can be standups or Gottlieb Style (Narrow Footprint) Drop Targets. Its upper target bank area is from Gottlieb Hot Shots, but I added 2 more Pop Bumpers and a Slingshot above the Pops to form a “Power Diamond”. There is room on playfield to add a unique mech at top left corner at upper plastic ramp output.

Two rule sets (player chooses at game start), the MORE LUCK version allows slot spins to trigger pinball features and the MORE SKILL version eliminates all random features and adds some advanced pinball features for proficient pinball players. There are different champion tables for each rule set version.

The Slot machine uses a small LCD screen to display slot spins. Slot machine (MORE LUCK Version) features actual “Free Spins” slot bonuses. Player can stop the reels (just like on a real slot machine) by pressing flipper button or skip all pending slot spins and warp to summary screen by pressing action button. (Summary screen lists result of all skipped slot spins)

Perfect candidate to use a famous slot machine license such as Buffalo Gold, Dancing Drums, Reel’ Em In, Cleopatra, 5 Dragons, Wheel of Fortune, etc."

Here's a link to the first machine that Jon shared a couple of months ago for anyone who's interested:

https://www.knapparcade.org/post/new-tour-de-france-pinball-design-from-jon-norris

_(Acquisition: raw_text, Enrichment: v1)_

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*Exported from Journalist Tool on 2026-04-13 | Item ID: 81622e07-c15d-4be4-b02e-b7de78b2d3ac*