# Rumor: Jersey Jack Pinball Holds the License to Top Gun **Source:** Knapp Arcade **Type:** article **Published:** 2022-08-07 **Beat:** Pinball **URL:** https://www.knapparcade.org/rumor-jersey-jack-pinball-holds-the-license-to-top-gun --- ## Analysis A rumor segment from The Eclectic Gamers podcast (Episode 173) suggests Jersey Jack Pinball holds a license to produce a Top Gun pinball machine, potentially as Steve Ritchie's first game for JJP. The rumor doesn't clarify whether it's based on the 1980s original or Top Gun: Maverick. The article notes Ritchie's relevant design history with Williams' F-14 Tomcat (1987) and his recent purchase of a restored F-14 machine at Pintastic New England. ### Key Claims - [LOW] Jersey Jack Pinball holds the license to produce a Top Gun pinball machine — _Rumor from The Eclectic Gamers podcast Episode 173, 'Rumor Corner' segment by Dennis Kriesel_ - [HIGH] Steve Ritchie designed F-14 Tomcat for Williams in 1987, a game thematically similar to Top Gun — _Historical fact stated by article author; widely documented in pinball history_ - [MEDIUM] Steve Ritchie purchased a restored Williams F-14 Tomcat at Pintastic New England and had it shipped to Chicago — _Stated as recent event in article; plausible but unverified by independent source_ - [HIGH] The Top Gun license rumor doesn't specify whether it covers the 1980s original or Top Gun: Maverick — _Explicitly stated in article summarizing the podcast rumor_ - [MEDIUM] Steve Ritchie's first JJP game announcement is expected around late 2023 — _Article author's speculation based on typical JJP announcement timing_ ### Notable Quotes > "I personally like the Top Gun theme A LOT more than some of the bland rock theme titles that I've heard rumored to be on tap for Ritchie's next game." > — **Article author (Knapp Arcade)** > _Expresses preference for Top Gun over other rumored themes; suggests other rock-themed JJP titles are in development discussion_ > "What will his first JJP game be? We'll probably have to wait until late 2023 to see." > — **Article author (Knapp Arcade)** > _Indicates timeline uncertainty for Steve Ritchie's first JJP announcement_ > "Man that game plays fast!" > — **Article author (Knapp Arcade)** > _Describes the gameplay experience of F-14 Tomcat positively_ ### Entities | Name | Type | Context | |------|------|---------| | Jersey Jack Pinball | company | Boutique pinball manufacturer rumored to hold Top Gun license | | Steve Ritchie | person | Legendary pinball designer; recently joined Jersey Jack Pinball; designed F-14 Tomcat for Williams in 1987; rumored to be working on Top Gun for JJP | | The Eclectic Gamers | organization | Podcast that released Episode 173 with 'Rumor Corner' segment discussing the Top Gun license rumor | | Dennis Kriesel | person | Host/segment creator of 'Rumor Corner' on The Eclectic Gamers podcast; source of Top Gun rumor | | F-14 Tomcat | game | 1987 Williams pinball machine designed by Steve Ritchie; thematically similar to Top Gun; recently purchased by Ritchie at Pintastic New England | | Cactus Canyon | game | Chicago Gaming Company game experiencing delays with SE+ and LE units; mentioned as topic discussed in same podcast episode | | Chicago Gaming Company | company | Pinball manufacturer; experiencing delays with Cactus Canyon releases | | Pintastic New England | event | Recent pinball show/expo where Steve Ritchie purchased a restored F-14 Tomcat | | Top Gun | product | Classic 1980s film; subject of rumored Jersey Jack Pinball license | | Top Gun: Maverick | product | Recent Top Gun sequel film; possible subject of the rumored JJP license | ### Topics - **Primary:** Steve Ritchie's first Jersey Jack Pinball game, Top Gun pinball license rumors - **Secondary:** Theme licensing and IP acquisition, Steve Ritchie's historical design work - **Mentioned:** Cactus Canyon production delays ### Sentiment **Positive** (0.72) — Author is enthusiastic about the Top Gun rumor and expresses strong preference for it as a theme. Positive tone toward Steve Ritchie's capabilities and track record. Dismissive of 'bland rock themes' suggests critical perspective on alternative rumors but overall positive framing of the Top Gun possibility. ### Signals - **[design_philosophy]** Steve Ritchie potentially researching F-14 Tomcat mechanics as reference for Top Gun game design (confidence: medium) — Recent purchase and shipment of restored F-14 to Chicago; historical precedent of Ritchie's work on similar-themed F-14 Tomcat in 1987 - **[market_signal]** Steve Ritchie's next game represents significant interest in pinball community; multiple rumored themes in circulation (confidence: medium) — Article mentions 'bland rock theme titles' rumored as alternatives, suggesting active speculation about Ritchie's first JJP project - **[personnel_signal]** Steve Ritchie recently joined Jersey Jack Pinball and is preparing for his first game with the company (confidence: high) — Well-documented move; article discusses his upcoming first JJP title; purchase of F-14 Tomcat suggests active research/development - **[rumor_hype]** Jersey Jack Pinball holds license to produce Top Gun pinball machine (confidence: low) — Dennis Kriesel's 'Rumor Corner' segment on The Eclectic Gamers podcast Episode 173; no official confirmation or secondary sources cited - **[licensing_signal]** Top Gun theme availability for pinball unclear; rumor doesn't specify 1980s original vs. Top Gun: Maverick (confidence: low) — Kriesel's rumor segment doesn't clarify IP scope; suggests uncertainty in the rumor itself --- ## Transcript This morning, The Eclectic Gamers podcast released their latest episode, Number 173 titled "SE+ for so Many Months." As you can tell from the title, they discussed the delays that Chicago Gaming Company has been experiencing with the SE+ and LE units of its new Cactus Canyon game. That's not what this post is about, however. I'm going to talk about Dennis Kriesel's critically acclaimed "Rumor Corner" segment of the show. I'm not sure what critics have acclaimed the segment other than myself, not am I sure that I am considered to be a critic...nonetheless the segment contained a very interesting pinball rumor. The rumor that was discussed is that Jersey Jack Pinball holds the license to produce a pinball machine for the classic Top Gun. The rumor didn't specify whether the license was for the old school 80's Top Gun or the new film Top Gun: Maverick. I don't know whether the rumor is true, but in my opinion it would be an absolutely fantastic theme for Steve Ritchie's first game at Jersey Jack. The King of Flow actually produced a game with very similar theme to this back in 1987 when he worked for Williams pinball, F-14 Tomcat. That pin was essentially loosely based on the Top Gun theme and is loved by many to this day. Man that game plays fast! Not only did Steve Ritchie design the Top Gun-like F-14 pin back in the day, he actually purchased a restored Williams F-14 at the recent Pintastic New Robert Englunds pinball show and had it shipped back to Chicago. A little research for his next game, perhaps? I personally like the Top Gun theme A LOT more than some of the bland rock theme titles that I've heard rumored to be on tap for Ritchie's next game. What will his first JJP game be? We'll probably have to wait until late 2023 to see. Here's a link to the show for anyone why wants to check it out: https://eclecticgamerspodcast.wordpress.com/ _(Acquisition: raw_text, Enrichment: v1)_ --- *Exported from Journalist Tool on 2026-04-13 | Item ID: 838d3f89-2d8f-4e59-84db-ca13bc678308*