Big Trouble in Little China is a homebrew pinball game in development by Kyle Smet (Mud Flaps Pinball), themed around the 1986 John Carpenter film. The game debuted at Chicago Pinball Expo 2025 where it won Best of Show and generated sustained high player interest with long lines throughout the event. It features professional-quality production including original actor involvement (James Hong), Scott Denski audio design, artwork by Brian Allen and Randy Martinez, hand-painted backglass by Michael K, and advanced mechanics including a skull toy and narrative-driven gameplay with FAST hardware and MPF. The project took 18 months to develop with four playfield iterations and is targeting approximately 500 units for production.
Big Trouble in Little China homebrew features kicking center post, inline drop targets, magnetic saves, and movie clips
Big Trouble in Little China has fans on the coils for solenoids to prevent flipper fade during extended play
Big Trouble in Little China homebrew was announced this week
Big Trouble in Little China pinball is being developed by Mud Flaps Pinball with Brian Allen as playfield artist
Barrels of Fun game won competition at TPF by Kyle Smith
Kyle's second homebrew project; designer incorporated lessons from Friday the 13th to improve accessibility and front-loaded moments
Homebrew pinball machine based on 1986 John Carpenter film; featured at Texas Pinball Festival 2026
Homebrew game with massive TPF lines, fully professional quality with art from multiple pinball artists, homebrew standout
Rumored Barrels of Fun next game; Kaneda expresses preference for this theme over Never Ending Story; homebrew designer hired as positive signal
Rumored Barrels of Fun pinball title; Kaneda speculates this will perform better than Winchester
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Big Trouble in Little China homebrew will feature hand-painted backglass and Brian Allen playfield art, with 500-unit target production
Kyle Smet's Big Trouble in Little China homebrew achieves Stern-quality playfield and layout design
Big Trouble in Little China virtual pinball was created by applying new licensing to the expired Wrath of Olympus layout after May patent expiration
Kyle Smet's latest homebrew; playable at Texas Pinball Festival alongside Friday the 13th
Rumored Barrels of Fun upcoming title; 1980s action film IP
Kyle Smet homebrew in development; teaser shown featuring film footage and quotes; single-level playfield with drop targets, mudflats, ramps, and rollover targets
Kyle Smit's in-progress homebrew second title; 80s niche movie adaptation; features custom sculpts and original art; aims for Expo 2025 debut
Homebrew game by Kyle Poling; won best of show; had high traffic at Expo 2025; not yet available for general purchase
80s movie IP; mentioned as possible future Barrels of Fun game title in speculation
Homebrew pinball game at Expo 2025; author notes hour-long wait lines due to popularity
Action film; Jessica imagined as Spooky Pinball duo machine with Halloween; speculated about John Carpenter licensing
Homebrew pinball game designed by Kyle; featured at Pinball Expo
Stern pinball machine at Expo; first playable by Cary Hardy; features solenoid fans to prevent flipper fade
Homebrew pinball game at Expo; original layout with custom center post mechanic; Carrie was first non-creator to play
Potential future theme; Gomez assesses as 'probably too niche'; mentioned as cool classic but not broad appeal priority
Rumored Barrels of Fun game; homebrew version exists; Kaneda considers it top FOMO theme but criticizes homebrew mechanics as insufficient for commercial release
Virtual pinball adaptation created by community using Wrath of Olympus layout and custom artwork
Virtual pinball conversion of expired Wrath of Olympus layout; featured on Don's Ultra VP; Don live-streamed gameplay; discussed with friend Steve for potential commercial release
Upcoming game Kaneda plans to play at Expo
Previously rumored Barrels of Fun theme; knapparcade hints it may be back in development with low confidence
Homebrew homebrew with professional art, powder coat, and design by Friday the 13th creator
Homebrew game by Jake Danzig/Kyle, professional production quality, Scott Denise music, advanced mechanics, heavy Expo presence
Homebrew by Kyle Smet (Mudflaps Pinball) featuring Randy Martinez art, Brian Allen playfield art, Scott Denski audio, hand-painted backglass, actor James Hong callouts; praised as superior to professional releases
Homebrew pinball game by Kyle Smet; featured skull toy that eats the ball; highly popular at Chicago Pinball Expo with sustained long lines; uses 3D-printed sculpts
Homebrew pinball game by Mud Flaps Pinball; features film voice actor, Brian Allen artwork, hand-painted Lo Pan backglass; called 'homebrew of the year'
Mentioned as dream theme for pinball; discussed as better fit for boutique manufacturers than Stern
Homebrew game with persistent long lines throughout Expo; generated high player enthusiasm despite RetroRalph's inability to access play
Homebrew unlicensed fan game by Kyle Smith; second game after Friday the 13th; generated longest lines at expo comparable to manufacturer announcements; features extensive hand-soldered wiring and engineering
Homebrew pinball game by fan developers; John Carpenter film license; featured at Expo 2025
Kyle's second completed homebrew pinball game; 80s action franchise theme; features narrative-driven gameplay with missions, monster battles, and Lo Pan as final boss; uses FAST hardware and MPF; took 18 months to develop with four playfield iterations
Homebrew game; Best of Show winner 2025; won multiple design/detail awards; praised for execution
Homebrew by Mud Flaps Pinball featuring Scott Denise sound design, Randy Martinez and Brian Allen artwork, professional voice talent
Homebrew pinball game by Mud Flaps Pinball; professional production with original actor involvement and Scott Denski music; featuring Brian Allen artwork
Homebrew pinball game by Kyle; 1980s movie-themed; featured at Expo with high player interest; collaborative artwork with multiple artists
Homebrew title at Expo; Scott Denison music; professional artwork; described as refined and complete; community assessment: could produce 500 units and sell out immediately; major homebrew presence at show
Mud Flaps Pinball homebrew announced this week; Hardy predicts high demand and long lines at Expo; limited film footage shown, no gameplay footage available
Homebrew/fan-made pinball game; subject of this promotional content
Homebrew game with long lines at Expo; players praised quality as commercial-product-worthy; Ralph unable to play due to demand
Homebrew game at Expo by Kyle; noted by Sean Irby and Jeff as impressive homebrew
Homebrew game; described as winning homebrew; hosts enthusiastic about theme; featured at Expo 2025
Homebrew fan project referenced in discussion; Michael Bernard clarified he did not contribute to this project
Homebrew game; criticized for mechanical limitations and over-reliance on Lo Pan character; praised for theme appeal
Homebrew game by Mud Flaps Pinball; unlicensed fan-made game; Kaneda's dream theme; features Brian Allen artwork
Homebrew pinball game in development; featured prominently in episode with video trailer
Pinball game that Scott Danesi was hired to do sound work for
Boutique custom game; subject of $50,000 offer; Kaneda recommends commercializing the design
Homebrew pinball game by Kyle Mud Flaps, hand-painted backglass by Michael K, art by Brian Allen, targeting ~500 units, Expo 25 debut
Homebrew game in development; Kaneda's #5 anticipation; creator also made Tony Hawk and Friday the 13th homebrew games