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Fish Tales

gameactive52 mentionsFirst seen Aug 5, 2007Last seen Apr 9, 2026

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Fish Tales is a classic 1992 Williams pinball machine designed by Mark Panaccio, notable for originating the lightning flipper feature that shipped from the factory. The game sold 13,600 units and outsold Data East's licensed Star Wars title, establishing itself as a significant commercial and technical success. Fish Tales has been digitally adapted across multiple platforms including Zen Williams, Pinball FX 3, and all major gaming consoles (Steam, PS4, Xbox One, Switch), though its physical table ranks low in modern player preference despite broader community appreciation.

Aliases

No aliases

Relationships

  • affiliated_withWhitewaterReferenced alongside Fish Tales as exemplifying WPC-era sound design potentialmedium
  • manufacturesWilliamsFish Tales was manufactured by Williams in 1992medium

Facts

No facts recorded

Claims (9)

  • opinionmedium

    Fish Tales is disliked by the hosts but broadly appreciated by the wider pinball community

    Source: Host (Foghorn)Pinball Junk Drawer Episode 89 - Mod Install Updates, Official Sponsor and tons of beer
  • factualhigh

    Fish Tales pinball costs 50 cents per credit

    Source: Pinball News review articleBILL’S PIZZA & PUB MUNDELEIN
  • opinionhigh

    The Fish Tales machine is in poor condition requiring cleaning and maintenance

    Source: Pinball News review authorBILL’S PIZZA & PUB MUNDELEIN
  • factualhigh

    Fish Tales is 75% restored at the DeadFlip venue

Recent Mentions (52)

  • Classic 1992 Williams pinball machine; subject of Cardona's 2.0 upgrade kit

    Fish Tales: Ultimate Fishing Challenge 2.0 Pinball Kit Revealed at Pintastic New EnglandApr 9, 2026
  • Williams 1992 classic; Pokémon topper rumored to be inspired by its iconic fish topper; rumored American Pinball reimagined version in pipeline

    Video of Stern Pinball's Pokémon on the Line; Pokémon Topper Coming Soon?; Bally World Cup Soccer Comes & Goes; Friday the 13th PinballMar 13, 2026
  • Water-themed pinball machine owned by Dave; referenced in discussion about his collection

    #126 Pintastic Preview - The Classic Pinball PodcastMar 31, 2025
  • 1992 Williams pinball machine designed by Mark Ritchie with artwork by Pat McMahon; 13,000 units produced; featured as Game of the Week

    The Spinner is Lit - Episode 7: Raiders of the Lost WarehouseJun 19, 2017
  • Classic game Don has played since teenage years; contrasts with discovery aspect of newer games

    Livechat with KineticistDec 6, 2024
  • Game 1 of City Champ 9 group stage, trophy award machine (Pemberley-era modern game)

    City Champ 9: Playoffs & Finals

Contradictions

No contradictions detected

Related Glossary Terms

No linked glossary terms

Source: DeadFlip host
Day 4 ROAD SHOW Battle!!! She's all patched up! - 1 / 2
  • factualhigh

    The flipper button on the Fish Tales machine was broken during streaming

    Source: Jack DangerDay 5 of FISH TALES BATTLE!! Jan '15 - 2 / 2
  • factualhigh

    Fish Tales machine had electrical problems where high voltage would not shut off

    Source: Jack DangerDay 5 of FISH TALES BATTLE!! Jan '15 - 2 / 2
  • factualhigh

    Fish Tales was released in 1992 by Williams

    Source: Jack DangerDay 1 of our week-long FISH TALES adventure! - 1 / 2
  • factualhigh

    Fish Tales drop target in Caster's Club is non-functional on Dead Flip's machine

    Source: NickDay 1 of our week-long FISH TALES adventure! - 1 / 2
  • opinionhigh

    Fish Tales has some of the best music in pinball, described as fun-sounding bluegrass

    Source: NickDay 1 of our week-long FISH TALES adventure! - 1 / 2
  • Aug 18, 2022
  • Williams game; sold 14.5k units; cited by Chris Granner as personal favorite of his work

    TOPCast 47: Chris GrannerAug 5, 2007
  • Williams pinball machine from 1992, featuring boat mechanism, video mode, and captive ball mechanic; subject of this stream

    Fish Tales On Location!Dec 23, 2016
  • Pinball machine being played; classical fishing-themed game with multiball, boat lock mechanisms, captive ball, and Pinball Arcade goals; condition issues at Emporium (left lean, stuck flipper, dirty playfield)

    PINBALL ARCADE GOALS IRL EP. 2 "FISH TALES"May 9, 2017
  • Mid-90s Williams pinball machine; cited by Zack as example of game with 'stupid' fun theme (fishing) that appeals to his aesthetic

    Rescue 911 + Chill? We get tilted with Liquid Mike’s Zack AlwordenMay 15, 2025
  • Classic pinball game mentioned as example of a dirty location machine players might rage at

    Rick’s Pinball ResolutionsJan 21, 2026
  • Steve purchased for $1,400 with reset issue; restoration gateway hobby; fixed for $20 in parts; heavily modified with LEDs

    Episode 53: Top 5 and Other Craziness with Steve JohnsonApr 30, 2020
  • Williams pinball game with fishing/lying theme; Granner's favorite game; features bluegrass-influenced soundtrack and tall-tale voice callouts

    Chris GrannerAug 13, 2019
  • Classic pinball machine being refurbished in this video

    Stumblor Fishtales refurb - LollyshotsJan 3, 2022
  • Classic pinball machine being refurbished by Stumblor Pinball; subject of the video

    Stumblor Fishtales refurb - LollyGI on the spinnerJan 3, 2022
  • Classic pinball machine being refurbished, subject of the video

    Stumblor Fishtales refurb - example gameJan 3, 2022
  • Referenced pinball machine with monster fish mechanic that directly parallels Taxi's ramp strategy

    Taxi Pinball Tutorial - Danni TeachesAug 27, 2024
  • Pinball machine mentioned at beginning of stream; being played as practice game.

    Day 3 of IRON MAN Battle Week! PT1Nov 13, 2014
  • Tournament machine provided by Brad Stark

    Day 4 of THE GETAWAY Battle Week! IFPA tournament tonight! - 1 / 2Nov 21, 2014
  • Pinball machine; a button from this game is being converted into jewelry by stream participants.

    The Simpsons (Data East1990) 06/17/15Jun 22, 2015
  • Gottlieb pinball machine from 1992; featured prominently in stream; mechanical failure occurred during play

    Day 5 of FISH TALES BATTLE!! Jan '15 - 1 / 2Feb 3, 2015
  • Classic pinball game; subject of week-long Deadflip streaming marathon and tournament play

    Day 4 of our week-long FISH TALES adventure!Oct 24, 2014
  • Classic pinball machine (1992, Willams) being used for week-long streaming marathon; subject of Bowen Kerins tutorial strategy guide

    Day 3 of our week-long FISH TALES adventure! - 1 / 2Oct 24, 2014
  • Williams pinball machine featured in this stream, owned temporarily by Deadflip via Brad Stark's gift

    Day 2 of our week-long FISH TALES adventure!Oct 24, 2014
  • Williams pinball machine being battled/streamed; at Dead Flip for approximately two years; known for difficult gameplay

    Day 2 of FISH TALES BATTLE!! Jan '15Feb 3, 2015
  • Classic pinball machine by Williams (1992), subject of three-day streaming series; polarizing game with difficult center drain and hidden mechanics

    Day 3 of FISH TALES BATTLE!! Jan '15 - 1 / 2Feb 3, 2015
  • Pinball machine at DeadFlip venue; noted as 75% restored

    Day 4 ROAD SHOW Battle!!! She's all patched up! - 1 / 2Feb 19, 2015
  • Pinball machine being played throughout the episode; subject of week-long content series

    Day 1 of our week-long FISH TALES adventure! - 2 / 2Oct 24, 2014
  • Williams pinball machine being played in day-long marathon stream

    Day 3 of our week-long FISH TALES adventure! - 2 / 2Oct 24, 2014
  • Williams 1992 pinball machine, subject of week-long Dead Flip stream event

    Day 1 of our week-long FISH TALES adventure! - 1 / 2Oct 24, 2014
  • Previous week's featured game on DeadFlip; described as 'very terrible' week

    Day 5 of IRON MAN BATTLE!! Feb '15 - 1 / 2Feb 9, 2015
  • Pinball machine being streamed; features video modes, multi-balls, captive balls, and Monster Fish mode

    Day 1 of FISH TALES BATTLE!! Jan '15 - 1 / 2Feb 3, 2015
  • Primary game featured in tournament; appears to be multiple machines available

    Day 1 of FISH TALES BATTLE!! Jan '15 - 2 / 2Feb 3, 2015
  • Pinball machine being played in multi-day streaming series; experiencing mechanical issues

    Day 5 of FISH TALES BATTLE!! Jan '15 - 2 / 2Feb 3, 2015
  • 1992 Williams pinball machine, subject of day 3 tournament play session

    Day 3 of FISH TALES BATTLE!! Jan '15 - 2 / 2Feb 3, 2015
  • 1992 Williams pinball machine; classic title with fishing theme and Coors Light branding; features captive ball center and complex rule set

    Fish Tales Pinball Let's PlayFeb 3, 2021
  • Classic Williams pinball machine being restored with custom artwork and cosmetic upgrades

    Before and After: Fish Tales Art by Brian AllenNov 10, 2021
  • Bally/Williams pinball for which Penacho wrote software; shows his credit on playfield

    MARK PENACHO JOINS STERN PINBALLMar 7, 2021
  • Pinball machine installed at BrewDog Shepherd's Bush during article visit; receiving ColorDMD screen installation

    BREWDOG SHEPHERD’S BUSHAug 3, 2016
  • Williams pinball machine at Bill's Pizza & Pub; requires maintenance

    BILL’S PIZZA & PUB MUNDELEINAug 22, 2017
  • Williams pinball machine used as primary test platform for adjustable flipper installation; known for narrow 'lightning-bolt' flipper design

    ADPIN FLIPPER BATS AND BUTTONSMar 7, 2018
  • 1992 Williams Pinball machine at The Break; lowest play price at $0.50/game

    ARCADE REPORT: 8 on the Break aka The Break - Dunellen, NJAug 20, 2021
  • Williams pinball table now available in Zen collection; Tarek Goberding achieved 10 billion score within week

    WMS License Speculation TimeSep 12, 2018
  • Williams pinball machine in Zen beta; discussed regarding flipper tricks and difficulty comparisons

    Zen Williams Pinball RetrospectiveSep 26, 2018
  • Classic Williams table; free/bundled in Pinball FX 3; underwent censorship including mermaid costume change (bikini to one-piece) and beer can to soda can modification

    Does Censoring Pinball Kill the Buzz?Oct 16, 2018
  • Classic Williams pinball table; free on all Zen Williams app platforms (Steam, PS4, Xbox One, Switch); used as comparison point for physics quality

    Creators Gotta CreateJul 18, 2019
  • Bally table analyzed for hypothetical Pro tier feature cuts

    End of year free-for-allJan 2, 2021
  • Older pinball game mentioned in anecdote about flexible player customization

    Jersey Jack Pinball Update - 2023Mar 14, 2024
  • Classic pinball game coded by Mark Panaccio; hosts planning detailed review in this episode

    BDYETP 58: Pinbrewfest, Porsche pinball, Deeproot update, Topper Talk, Fish Tales ReviewMar 28, 2021
  • Classic pinball machine ranked 2nd from bottom in December 2025 Lumberjack Johnny's popularity; hosts express strong negative opinion while acknowledging broader community appreciation

    Pinball Junk Drawer Episode 89 - Mod Install Updates, Official Sponsor and tons of beerJan 15, 2026
  • 1992 Williams pinball game famous for lightning flipper origin story; shipped with lightning flippers from factory; hosts at Wedgehead praise its difficulty and playability with proper setup

    Episode 1 - Lightning FlippersOct 23, 2023
  • Original theme Williams game (1992); sold 13,600 units, outsold Data East's licensed Star Wars

    Episode 79 - Licensed ThemesApr 21, 2025