# More Bang for Your Bucks

**Source:** Pinball News Website  
**Type:** article  
**Published:** 2004-10-11  
**Beat:** Pinball

**URL:** https://www.pinballnews.com/news/bigbang.html

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## Analysis

Gene Cunningham of Illinois Pin Ball Co. announced plans in October 2004 to manufacture 111 remake units of Capcom's Big Bang Bar, one of the rarest and most sought-after pinball machines ever made. The project required $150,000 initial investment with expected costs tripling by completion, with standard units priced at $4,500 and a gold-trimmed prototype at $12,000. By Pinball Expo, Cunningham had received 121 registrations of interest, exceeding the 55-unit threshold needed to proceed with production.

### Key Claims

- [HIGH] Only 14 prototypes of Capcom's Big Bang Bar were ever produced — _Opening statement describes Big Bang Bar as one of rarest games of modern times with 14 prototypes only_
- [HIGH] Gene Cunningham invested $150,000 with expectations to triple by completion — _Direct quote from Gene to Pinball News regarding project investment_
- [MEDIUM] Production estimated to take 4-6 months from decision point — _Gene's estimate provided to Pinball News; subject to pre-order fulfillment_
- [HIGH] Gene received 121 registrations of interest by end of Pinball Expo — _Update section confirms registrations exceeded 55-unit trigger threshold_
- [HIGH] Game 1 features genuine gold parts valued at approximately $2,000 — _Specific pricing and material detail provided in announcement_

### Notable Quotes

> "Only 14 prototypes were ever produced and it is generally regarded as the best game never to reach production."
> — **Pinball News (article author)**, Opening paragraph
> _Establishes Big Bang Bar's legendary status and rarity in pinball history_

> "Gene is well know as the man who bought the rights to much of Williams' pinball interests but he also bought the remains of Capcom when they withdrew from the pinball business."
> — **Pinball News (article author)**, Early context section
> _Establishes Gene's credentials and justification for undertaking the remake project_

> "The games will still be branded 'Capcom' despite being made by a company called Pin Ball Mfg Inc. This is a company Gene set up for the purpose of making the games and was necessary because Williams' licensing agreement with Illinois Pin Ball prohibits that company making any games."
> — **Pinball News (article author)**, Manufacturing structure section
> _Reveals complex licensing arrangement and why separate manufacturing entity was required_

> "Standard games will cost $4,500 with an optional gold effect upgrade for $250. Game 1 with the real gold will cost $12,000."
> — **Pinball News (article author)**, Pricing section
> _Establishes tiered pricing strategy with significant premium for Game 1_

> "By the end of Pinball Expo, Gene had received 121 registrations of interest... the trigger level of 55 registrations had been easily passed, so the process could move on to the next stage."
> — **Pinball News (article author/update)**, Update section
> _Confirms project viability threshold exceeded and production can proceed_

### Entities

| Name | Type | Context |
|------|------|---------|
| Gene Cunningham | person | Owner of Illinois Pin Ball Co. and Pin Ball Mfg Inc.; acquired Williams pinball rights and Capcom assets; leading Big Bang Bar remake project |
| Illinois Pin Ball Co. | company | Gene Cunningham's primary company; holds Williams licensing agreement that prohibits game manufacturing |
| Pin Ball Mfg Inc. | company | Newly established subsidiary of Gene Cunningham created specifically for Big Bang Bar remake production |
| Big Bang Bar | game | Ultra-rare Capcom pinball machine with only 14 prototypes; subject of 111-unit remake project by Gene Cunningham |
| Capcom | company | Original designer/manufacturer of Big Bang Bar; exited pinball business; assets acquired by Gene Cunningham |
| Williams | company | Historical pinball manufacturer; licensing agreement with Illinois Pin Ball Co. impacts remake production structure |
| Pinball Expo | event | Industry event where Gene promoted Big Bang Bar remake; 121 registrations of interest received by event conclusion |
| Pinball News | organization | Publication covering the Big Bang Bar remake announcement and providing coverage of industry developments |

### Topics

- **Primary:** Big Bang Bar Remake Project, Pinball Manufacturing and Production, Licensing and IP Rights
- **Secondary:** Collector Market and Pricing, Rare Game Preservation, Pinball History

### Sentiment

**Positive** (0.8) — Article is enthusiastic about the Big Bang Bar remake project and celebrates the opportunity to revive a legendary game. Tone is professional and supportive of Gene Cunningham's initiative. Success of pre-order campaign reinforces optimism.

### Signals

- **[business_signal]** Creation of separate manufacturing entity (Pin Ball Mfg Inc.) due to licensing constraints on primary company (Illinois Pin Ball Co.) (confidence: high) — Quote explaining that Williams licensing agreement prohibits Illinois Pin Ball Co. from manufacturing games
- **[event_signal]** Pinball Expo served as major promotional venue for Big Bang Bar remake with prototype flyer distribution and direct pre-order registration (confidence: high) — Update indicates 121 registrations collected by event conclusion and prototype flyers distributed in time for Expo
- **[market_signal]** Overwhelming pre-order interest (121 registrations vs. 55-unit threshold) indicates strong collector demand for Big Bang Bar remake (confidence: high) — Update section confirms trigger level 'easily passed' by Pinball Expo conclusion
- **[announcement]** Gene Cunningham officially announced 111-unit Big Bang Bar remake production run with detailed specifications, pricing, and production timeline (confidence: high) — Article dated October 11, 2004 with direct quotes from Gene regarding project parameters
- **[technology_signal]** Remix of original manufacturing techniques: decals instead of silk-screened artwork, custom-made parts copied from originals, alternative controller for flashers (confidence: high) — Detailed list of manufacturing modifications from original Capcom design

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## Transcript

Story dated October 11, 2004, updated November 15, 2004.

One of the rarest games of modern times has to be Capcom's Big Bang Bar.  Only 14 prototypes were ever produced and it is generally regarded as the best game never to reach production.

Those who have played it have rhapsodised about the gameplay and the playfield toys but when one was destroyed in a fire, the prospect of being an owner became even more remote.

But that could be changing if one man has his way.

Illinois Pin Ball Co. owner Gene Cunningham has unveiled his plans to make a production run of 111 Big Bang Bar games.

Gene is well know as the man who bought the rights to much of Williams' pinball interests but he also bought the remains of Capcom when they withdrew from the pinball business.  He owns some of the parts for the game but many others need making from scratch.

Gene told Pinball News he had already invested $150,000 in the project and expected that to triple by the time production is complete, which he estimates will take between four and six months.

How will these new Big Bang Bars differ from the original?  To start with, the cabinet artwork will be in the form of decals and not Marc Silk screened as the originals were.  The bright blue flashers underneath the ramp will use a different controller and there is the possibility (depending on demand) to change the game code to fix any bugs.  Other custom parts will be made by copying the originals, so may differ slightly in appearance.

The games will still be branded "Capcom" despite being made by a company called Pin Ball Mfg Inc.  This is a company Gene set up for the purpose of making the games and was necessary because Williams' licensing agreement with Illinois Pin Ball prohibits that company making any games.

The proposed number of 111 games is a strange number but consists of 100 production games and 10 prototypes plus one for Gene himself.  There will be special gold effect trim for games 2 and 100 with game 1 having genuine gold parts valued at around $2,000.  Some games will also have ownership plaques with the serial number and the name of the purchaser.

None of this comes cheap of course.  Standard games will cost $4,500 with an optional gold effect upgrade for $250.  Game 1 with the real gold will cost $12,000.  Purchasers will have to pay half in advance before the games go into production and the remainder on delivery. Production will proceed when more than half the games have been pre-sold.

Gene is keen to ensure a wide geographical distribution for the machines so has initially limited sales to one per person, though that would be difficult to enforce.

The game already has a prototype flyer, which we can exclusively show you here.  They should be ready for distribution in time for Pinball Expo.

Update:

By the end of Pinball Expo, Gene had received 121 registrations of interest.  Not all of these will turn into firm orders, but the trigger level of 55 registrations had been easily passed, so the process could move on to the next stage.

This week, Gene sent out letters to those registrants asking for their 50% deposit.

The letter also asked for the buyer's preferred serial numbers, an area where there are likely to be some disputes but if those can be resolved and all 110 games have confirmed orders, production can be started.

You can hear Gene talking about the serial numbers and read what he had to say at Pinball Expo in our detailed report here.

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_(Acquisition: raw_text, Enrichment: v1)_

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*Exported from Journalist Tool on 2026-04-13 | Item ID: b2ff9d4f-364e-4550-a4b5-a9811c9e4320*