# HOT WHEELS OFFICIALLY ANNOUNCED

**Source:** Pinball News Website  
**Type:** article  
**Published:** 2020-03-28  
**Beat:** Pinball

**URL:** https://www.pinballnews.com/site/2020/03/28/hot-wheels-officially-announced

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## Analysis

American Pinball officially announces Hot Wheels, their third pinball title based on Mattel's iconic toy car brand. The game is operator-focused with a simpler two-flipper playfield, featuring a spinning car toy, dual ramps, 140+ RGB LEDs, and gameplay modes tied to the Hot Wheels City YouTube series. Despite initial reveal at Amusement Expo, the game's launch was delayed due to COVID-19 and Illinois business closures, with no production yet underway at announcement.

### Key Claims

- [HIGH] Hot Wheels is American Pinball's third game, following Houdini and Oktoberfest — _Official press release states previous games released include Houdini Pinball, Oktoberfest Pinball, and The Flying Dutchman_
- [HIGH] Game is designed specifically for operators rather than collectors, with simpler playfield and no complex toys that could break — _Article states 'This third game from American Pinball is aimed more towards operators than their first two titles' and marketing material says 'Designed with operators in mind'_
- [HIGH] Main interactive toy is a spinning car on an arm, with speed software-controlled by R-P-M targets — _Article describes 'The main toy is the spinning car which is mounted on an arm above the playfield' and 'The speed at which it spins is software-controlled, speeding up as you increase the revs with the R-P-M targets'_
- [HIGH] Playfield features over 140 RGB LEDs and incorporates two plastic ramps (orange and blue) — _Article explicitly states 'The playfield incorporates more than 140 RGB LEDs' and 'There are two plastic ramps in the game – one coloured orange and the other blue'_
- [HIGH] Game features multiple multiball modes: Victory Lap, Car Chaos, Track, and Redline Mania — _Press release lists 'VICTORY LAP MULTIBALL', 'CAR CHAOS MULTIBALL', 'TRACK MULTIBALL', and 'REDLINE MANIA' as gameplay features_

### Notable Quotes

> "This third game from American Pinball is aimed more towards operators than their first two titles, Houdini and Oktoberfest."
> — **Pinball News article author**
> _Establishes market positioning shift for American Pinball toward operator-friendly design philosophy_

> "Designed with operators in mind... replay boost ensures maximum revenues"
> — **Hot Wheels official marketing flyer**
> _Confirms explicit operator-focused design strategy and revenue maximization emphasis in official marketing_

> "Only the wizards of American Pinball could pull everything together for a pure powerhouse pinball that is a cut above in quality workmanship, durability and long-term earning strength."
> — **American Pinball official press release**
> _Marketing language emphasizing durability and operator economics as core value proposition_

> "The Coronavirus-based cancellation of the Texas Pinball Festival where Hot Wheels was due to have its public debut, followed by the shutdown of non-essential businesses in Illinois – where American Pinball are based – meant the game hasn't yet had a proper launch event nor gone into full production."
> — **Pinball News article author**
> _Explains timing delays and production status as of announcement, indicating COVID-19 impact on launch window_

### Entities

| Name | Type | Context |
|------|------|---------|
| American Pinball | company | Boutique pinball manufacturer based in Chicago metropolitan area; released Houdini, Oktoberfest, and Flying Dutchman prior to Hot Wheels |
| Hot Wheels | game | Third official American Pinball title; officially licensed Mattel toy brand; operator-focused design; features spinning car toy, dual ramps, 140+ RGB LEDs, multiple multiball modes |
| Mattel | company | Toy manufacturer; owner of Hot Wheels IP; licensed to American Pinball for pinball game |
| Hot Wheels City | product | YouTube series referenced in Hot Wheels pinball; features Draven villain and Creatures; 50+ year franchise with 6+ billion cars sold |
| Houdini | game | First American Pinball game; released prior to Hot Wheels |
| Oktoberfest | game | Second American Pinball game; released prior to Hot Wheels |
| The Flying Dutchman | game | American Pinball coin-op redemption game; earlier release in company portfolio |
| Amusement Expo | event | Trade show in New Orleans where Hot Wheels was initially shown before official announcement |
| Texas Pinball Festival | event | Event where Hot Wheels was scheduled for public debut; cancelled due to COVID-19 |
| Pinball News | organization | News and industry publication covering pinball games and announcements |

### Topics

- **Primary:** Operator-focused game design, IP licensing and theme implementation, Playfield mechanics and toys, American Pinball product strategy
- **Secondary:** COVID-19 impact on launch timing, RGB LED implementation, Multiball game modes

### Sentiment

**Positive** (0.75) — Official announcement is enthusiastic about game quality and operator suitability. Pinball News reporting is straightforward and factual with no critical commentary. Marketing language is confident. Only negative element is acknowledgment of COVID-related launch delays, treated as external circumstance rather than company failure.

### Signals

- **[design_philosophy]** American Pinball adopts simplified playfield design with single interactive toy (spinning car) and no complex mechanical toys to reduce operator maintenance burden and downtime (confidence: high) — Article: 'The two-flippered playfield is simpler and easier to access, while there are no complex toys which could break and render the game unplayable' and 'The main toy is the spinning car'
- **[licensing_signal]** Hot Wheels game includes footage from Hot Wheels City YouTube series integrated into pinball gameplay, indicating multi-platform IP activation strategy (confidence: high) — Press release: 'attention-grabbing footage from the series as HOT WHEELS™ drives a total pinball experience' and mentions features tied to Draven villain and Creatures from series
- **[market_signal]** Product announcement delayed and production not underway at official reveal date due to COVID-19 pandemic and Illinois business closures (confidence: high) — Article states 'the game hasn't yet had a proper launch event nor gone into full production' and 'Coronavirus-based cancellation of the Texas Pinball Festival where Hot Wheels was due to have its public debut'
- **[announcement]** American Pinball officially announces Hot Wheels pinball with detailed playfield specifications and gameplay modes (confidence: high) — Press release and official product images published; game shown at Amusement Expo trade show in New Orleans
- **[product_strategy]** Hot Wheels explicitly positioned as operator-focused title with simplified playfield design contrasting with company's previous collector-oriented titles (Houdini, Oktoberfest) (confidence: high) — Article states 'This third game from American Pinball is aimed more towards operators than their first two titles' and marketing flyer emphasizes 'Designed with operators in mind'
- **[technology_signal]** Hot Wheels features extensive RGB LED implementation (140+ LEDs) and software-controlled mechanics emphasizing digital control over mechanical complexity (confidence: high) — Article: 'The playfield incorporates more than 140 RGB LEDs' and 'The speed at which it spins is software-controlled, speeding up as you increase the revs with the R-P-M targets'

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## Transcript

After the game was initially shown at the Amusement Expo trade show in New Orleans, American Pinball have belatedly officially announced their new Hot Wheels title, based on the toy cars from Mattel.

![The exterior view of Hot Wheels](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/games/hot-wheels/19-hot-wheels.jpg)

The exterior view of Hot Wheels

As we saw from the trade show pictures, this third game from American Pinball is aimed more towards operators than their first two titles, Houdini and Oktoberfest. The two-flippered playfield is simpler and easier to access, while there are no complex toys which could break and render the game unplayable.

![The Hot Wheels playfield](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/games/hot-wheels/18-hot-wheels.jpg)

The Hot Wheels playfield

The main toy is the spinning car which is mounted on an arm above the playfield.

![The spinning car](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/games/hot-wheels/12-hot-wheels.jpg)

The spinning car

This is one of five Hot Wheels models inside the game, but it is the only one which moves. The speed at which it spins is software-controlled, speeding up as you increase the revs with the R-P-M targets.

There are two plastic ramps in the game – one coloured orange and the other blue.

![Left side orange ramp return](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/games/hot-wheels/14-hot-wheels.jpg)

Left side orange ramp return

![The blue left ramp](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/games/hot-wheels/16-hot-wheels.jpg)

The blue left ramp

There is also an orange upkicker guide which deposits the ball on the right ramp’s return. A curved metal tongue helps the ball flow down the ramp return rather than slamming it into the plastic.

![The orange upkicker ball guide](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/games/hot-wheels/13-hot-wheels.jpg)

The orange upkicker ball guide

The playfield incorporates more than 140 RGB LEDs for insert, feature and general illumination. There is a large number of inserts across the playfield, including four at the entrance to each major shot and a tachometer above the flippers.

![Some of the many RGB-lit inserts on the playfield](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/games/hot-wheels/15-hot-wheels.jpg)

Some of the many RGB-lit inserts on the playfield

The cabinet interior sides feature custom artwork decals, while the back panel is a lenticular image, giving a pseudo-3D effect as you move your head side-to-side.

There is a magnet at the top of the outer orbit lane. This can either grab the ball and drop it through a gate into the pop bumpers, or briefly energise as the ball approaches to give it a speed boost.

![The back panel and orbit lane magnet](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/games/hot-wheels/17-hot-wheels.jpg)

The back panel and orbit lane magnet

We said when we first saw it how the game appears to be aimed at the operator market and the Hot Wheels flyer certainly pushes that angle, saying it is “designed with operators in mind” while “replay boost ensures maximum revenues“.

![The front of the Hot Wheels flyer](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/games/hot-wheels/10-hot-wheels.jpg)

The front of the Hot Wheels flyer

![The back of the Hot Wheels flyer](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/games/hot-wheels/20-hot-wheels.jpg)

The back of the Hot Wheels flyer

Sadly, the timing of the release wasn’t the best.

The Coronavirus-based cancellation of the Texas Pinball Festival where Hot Wheels was due to have its public debut, followed by the shutdown of non-essential businesses in Illinois – where American Pinball are based – meant the game hasn’t yet had a proper launch event nor gone into full production.

Nevertheless, American Pinball did eventually put out a press release about their new title, and here it is:

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| CHALLENGE ACCEPTED! AMERICAN PINBALL TURNS UP THE HEAT WITH INTRODUCTION OF HOT WHEELS™ For over 50 years, Mattel’s HOT WHEELS™ die cast cars have been sought and collected by hundreds of millions of fans all over the world. Over 6 billion cars have been sold incorporating more than 20,000 different car designs. Today this multi-generational franchise is bigger than it’s ever been, and by far the #1 selling toy in the world!\ And now American Pinball is proud to present the first officially licensed HOT WHEELS™ pinball machine. The exciting and fast-paced world of HOT WHEELS™ comes to life under glass with dazzling game play, spectacular effects and a feature-packed playfield layout that will keep players of all ages racing back to play again and again. There’s Car Collecting and Races. Track Building and Crashes. Epic Challenges, Creature Battles and much, much more! It’s guaranteed to be the hottest action ever in pinball!! Only the wizards of American Pinball could pull everything together for a pure powerhouse pinball that is a cut above in quality workmanship, durability and long-term earning strength. Designed with operators in mind, there’s all RGB lighting. Easy USB code updating. All coils are strength adjustable and a user-friendly service menu guarantees the best performance on location. Replay boost ensures maximum revenues. Players will find themselves propelled into the middle of HOT WHEELS™ CITY, a hit YouTube series entertaining millions of viewers with all the adventure and excitement taking place in the teeming metropolis. Besides some high-powered driving and racing, there are the ever-present challenges posed by the villainous Draven and his army of relentless Creatures. American Pinball captures all of the outrageous antics, thrills and spills with attention-grabbing footage from the series as HOT WHEELS™ drives a total pinball experience unlike any other. HOT WHEELS™ puts players of all ages into the driver’s seat to become the Ultimate HOT WHEELS™ LEGEND. · Players race to take the checkered flag and earn VICTORY LAP MULTIBALL · There’s HOT WHEELS™ cars to collect for heart-thumping CAR CHAOS MULTIBALL · Players need to save the day when they take on and defeat Draven and the Creatures of HOT WHEELS™ City · Players will gear up to score with EPIC RAMPS, EPIC LOOPS, EPIC CARS and EPIC POPS · TRACK MULTIBALL keeps the action in high speed around every turn and loop · Revving the Tachometer delivers increased scoring and the ultimate REDLINE MANIA · Players will be challenged to Collect Classic HOT WHEELS™ HERO CARS in order to become a HOT WHEELS™ LEGEND Get on the fast track to an earnings powerhouse with HOT WHEELS™ from American Pinball!! For more information contact American Pinball, Inc. at [[email protected]](/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection) or your local authorized American Pinball distributor or dealer. About American Pinball Located in the Chicago metropolitan area, the pinball capital of the world. American Pinball is dedicated to creating the highest quality, most immersive, and entertaining pinball machines around. Every game is designed to captivate and amaze the pinball enthusiast, first-time player, as well as location owners and operators. At American Pinball, fun and games is a serious business. Previous games released at American Pinball include Houdini™ Pinball, Oktoberfest™ Pinball, and The Flying Dutchman coin-op redemption game. For more information on American Pinball, visit our website www.american-pinball.com HOT WHEELS and associated trademarks and trade dress are owned by, and used under license from, Mattel @2020 Mattel Inc. \Source: The NPD Group/Retail Tracking Service |

We’ll bring you more news about American Pinball’s new Hot Wheels game right here at Pinball News.

_(Acquisition: raw_text, Enrichment: v1)_

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