# Pulp Fiction Pinball Trailer #2 - Our First Official Look at the Game

**Source:** Knapp Arcade  
**Type:** article  
**Published:** 2023-03-13  
**Beat:** Pinball

**URL:** https://www.knapparcade.org/pulp-fiction-pinball-trailer-2-our-first-official-look-at-the-game

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## Analysis

Chicago Gaming Company and Play Mechanix officially revealed Pulp Fiction pinball via trailer, featuring over 250 lines of movie dialogue, five licensed songs, and a playfield designed by Mark Ritchie. The game launches in two versions: Special Edition at $7,999 and 'Bad Mother Flipper' Limited Edition (1,000 units) at $9,499, with production estimated for October 2023.

### Key Claims

- [HIGH] Over 250 lines of dialogue from Pulp Fiction are programmed into the game — _Official trailer reveal and announcement_
- [HIGH] Five licensed songs from the movie's soundtrack are included — _Official announcement_
- [HIGH] Game was developed at the request of Quentin Tarantino for his home — _Official Chicago Gaming Company statement_
- [HIGH] Limited Edition production capped at 1,000 units — _Official specifications_
- [MEDIUM] Game features extended warranties up to eight times longer than most manufacturers — _Official marketing claim (Electronics 24mo/Mechanicals 12mo stated, but '8x longer' assertion is comparative and unverified)_
- [MEDIUM] Production estimated for October 2023 — _Distributor estimates, not official Chicago Gaming Company confirmation_
- [HIGH] Tarantino was involved throughout the project and his involvement shaped the final game — _Official Chicago Gaming Company statement_

### Notable Quotes

> "Pulp Fiction is a retro-inspired full-featured modern pinball machine. Developed at the request of Quentin Tarantino who wanted an 1980's style Pulp Fiction themed pinball machine for his home."
> — **Chicago Gaming Company (official statement)**
> _Establishes Tarantino's direct involvement as commissioning client and his design preferences_

> "Tarantino rarely licenses his intellectual property, it is a unique privilege to produce a game which pays tribute to this masterpiece."
> — **Chicago Gaming Company (official statement)**
> _Contextualizes the rarity and significance of securing Tarantino IP for pinball_

> "Legendary pinball designer Mark Ritchie masterfully crafted a playfield which on its surface appears comparable to games from this era but outside of initial perception features more mechanisms and greater depth than most games produced today."
> — **Chicago Gaming Company (official statement)**
> _Describes Ritchie's design philosophy balancing retro aesthetics with modern mechanical complexity_

> "For a game without a DMD or LCD this thing looks absolutely packed with magnets, cool sculpts and toys. The dancing movement on the topper is incredible. As is the rotating, glowing briefcase that opens up."
> — **Knapp Arcade (reviewer)**
> _Highlights mechanical features and visual appeal despite lack of digital display_

### Entities

| Name | Type | Context |
|------|------|---------|
| Chicago Gaming Company | company | Co-developer and manufacturer of Pulp Fiction pinball with Play Mechanix |
| Play Mechanix | company | Co-developer of Pulp Fiction pinball game design and mechanics |
| Mark Ritchie | person | Legendary pinball designer credited with Pulp Fiction playfield design |
| Quentin Tarantino | person | Film director and Pulp Fiction creator; commissioned the pinball machine and was involved throughout development |
| David Thiel | person | Audio/dialogue designer for Pulp Fiction pinball; programmed 250+ lines of dialogue and composed original music |
| Josh Sharpe | person | Rules designer for Pulp Fiction pinball |
| Scott Pikulski | person | Artist responsible for vintage-inspired art package on Pulp Fiction pinball |
| Pulp Fiction | game | New pinball machine by Chicago Gaming Company/Play Mechanix based on the 1994 Tarantino film |
| Bad Mother Flipper Edition | product | Premium Limited Edition variant of Pulp Fiction pinball with enhanced features, limited to 1,000 units at $9,499 |
| Texas Pinball Festival | event | Upcoming event (3/24-3/26) where Chicago Gaming Company will present Pulp Fiction |
| Knapp Arcade | organization | Media source covering pinball news and announcements |

### Topics

- **Primary:** New game announcement and official reveal, Game design and mechanical features, Pricing and limited edition strategy, Licensed IP integration (Tarantino/Pulp Fiction)
- **Secondary:** Production timeline and distribution, Audio design and dialogue programming, Warranty and manufacturer positioning, Retro-inspired pinball design philosophy

### Sentiment

**Positive** (0.85) — Knapp Arcade reviewer expresses enthusiasm for the game's mechanical features, visual design, and Tarantino involvement. Official Chicago Gaming Company positioning emphasizes quality, reliability, and the prestige of working with Tarantino. No negative criticism present; tone is celebratory about the official reveal.

### Signals

- **[community_signal]** Chicago Gaming Company providing extensive published rules documentation (16-page manual) upfront; full game information available on website indicating transparency and player education focus (confidence: high) — Article notes 'Chicago Gaming Company has a TON of information about the game up on its website, including an entire 16 page rules manual'
- **[design_philosophy]** Retro-aesthetic with modern mechanical complexity: Ritchie designed playfield to appear era-appropriate (1980s style per Tarantino request) while incorporating more mechanisms and depth than contemporary games (confidence: high) — Official statement: 'on its surface appears comparable to games from this era but outside of initial perception features more mechanisms and greater depth than most games produced today'
- **[leak_detection]** Detailed image of Pulp Fiction leaked online prior to official 4:00 PM EST announcement (confidence: high) — Article states 'detailed image of Chicago Gaming Company and Play Mechanix's new pinball machine Pulp Fiction leaked online this morning'
- **[licensing_signal]** Tarantino personally involved in commissioning and shaping Pulp Fiction pinball game, indicating tight IP control and creative oversight (confidence: high) — Official statement: 'Developed at the request of Quentin Tarantino' and 'Tarantino's continued involvement throughout the project shaped the final game' and 'Tarantino rarely licenses his intellectual property'
- **[announcement]** Official reveal of Pulp Fiction pinball with full specifications, pricing, and limited production details (confidence: high) — Official trailer release at 4:00 PM EST, comprehensive Chicago Gaming Company website information, 16-page rules manual published
- **[product_strategy]** Two-tier pricing model (Special Edition $7,999 / Bad Mother Flipper LE $9,499) with LE limited to 1,000 units and exclusive features (topper, speaker grill, mirror blades, shaker motor, cast medallion, banner, CoA, extended warranty) (confidence: high) — Official specifications detailing Special Edition vs Bad Mother Flipper Limited Edition features and pricing
- **[product_strategy]** Production timeline estimated at October 2023 per distributor estimates; official confirmation expected at Texas Pinball Festival (3/24-3/26) (confidence: medium) — Article states 'some distributors are giving customers an estimated date of October 2023' and 'we'll hear more about that from Chicago Gaming Company during its presentation at the upcoming Texas Pinball Festival'

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## Transcript

Welcome back Mark Ritchie! After a fairly detailed image of Chicago Gaming Company and Play Mechanix's new pinball machine Pulp Fiction leaked online this morning, at 4:00 PM EST today the companies officially revealed the game in a great 2 minute plus trailer.

The trailer answered our question about whether audio from the movie will be in the game, over 250 lines of dialogue from Pulp Fiction are programmed into the pin. Additionally, the game contains five licensed songs from the movie's soundtrack.

Pulp Fiction pinball will come in two versions, the Special Edition for $7,999 and the "Bad Mother Flipper" Limited Edition (limited to 1,000 units) for $9,499. Technically, there is a third edition of the game available, the Standard Edition with a different coin door that is able to hold a dollar bill acceptor.

The Limited Edition includes the following enhancements to the machine:

Jack Rabbit Slim's Topper

Vintage Speaker Grill

Interior Mirror Blades

Shaker Motor Assembly

Cast Metal Serialized Medallion

Pulp Fiction Promotional Banner

Certificate of Authenticity Signed by Mark Ritchie

Production Limited to 1,000 Machines

Extended Warranty (Electronics - 24 Months | Mechanicals -12 Months)

"Pulp Fiction is a retro-inspired full-featured modern pinball machine. Developed at the request of Quentin Tarantino who wanted an 1980’s style Pulp Fiction themed pinball machine for his home. Tarantino’s continued involvement throughout the project shaped the final game. Tarantino rarely licenses his intellectual property, it is a unique privilege to produce a game which pays tribute to this masterpiece.

Legendary pinball designer Mark Ritchie masterfully crafted a playfield which on its surface appears comparable to games from this era but outside of initial perception features more mechanisms and greater depth than most games produced today. David Thiel forcefully pulls the player into this world utilizing over 250 iconic lines from Pulp Fiction’s legendary cast, five licensed songs from the original movie soundtrack, and a number of original compositions. Josh Sharpe developed an approachable rule set that is both intuitive and deep enough to engage even the most skilled player. Scott Scott Pikulski’s vintage inspired art package is both stunning and perfectly cohesive.

The game was developed in a collaboration between Play Mechanix and Chicago Gaming Company. It features original time-tested Williams standard pinball mechanisms and highly reliable Chicago Gaming Company electronics which gives us the confidence to provide the longest warranties in the industry (up to eight times longer than most manufacturers)."

There's no official word yet on when the game is going into production, other than it's "Coming Soon" but some distributors are giving customers an estimated date of October 2023. I'm sure that we'll hear more about that from Chicago Gaming Company during its presentation at the upcoming Texas Pinball Festival (Frisco, TX 3/24 - 3/26).

For a game without a DMD or LCD this thing looks absolutely packed with magnets, cool sculpts and toys. The dancing movement on the topper is incredible. As is the rotating, glowing briefcase that opens up. Chicago Gaming Company has a TON of information about the game up on its website, including an entire 16 page rules manual that outlines the game's shots, multiballs, etc. (link below). 

https://www.chicago-gaming.com/coinop/pulp-fiction 

 

Pulp Fiction Limited Edition: 

 

Pulp Fiction Special Edition:

_(Acquisition: raw_text, Enrichment: v1)_

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*Exported from Journalist Tool on 2026-04-13 | Item ID: 9c0cfe06-1981-4196-abb8-ad1e6ac5caed*