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Cheetah

gameactive24 mentionsFirst seen Mar 1, 2018Last seen Jun 22, 2025

Profile

Cheetah is a classic solid-state pinball machine from Stern, designed by Harry Williams, that has become a notable fixture in competitive and casual pinball communities. Originally released as an early solid-state game with a purchase price around $4,500, it exemplifies vintage game pricing and shorter play times due to limited ramp and ball-save features. The machine has been actively used in tournament play, including INDISC classics competitions, and has undergone modern modifications including ROM updates to address technical issues like locking-up problems. Cheetah holds significance in pinball collecting circles and has been featured in multiple podcast episodes documenting its acquisition, maintenance, tournament use, and technical evolution.

Aliases

No aliases

Relationships

  • designedHarry WilliamsHarry Williams designed Cheetahmedium
  • affiliated_withBruceBruce acquired and modified Cheetah; drove 24 hours to Arkansas to purchase itmedium
  • affiliated_withJerryJerry selected Cheetah for Stump playoff tiebreakermedium
  • affiliated_withJoe LemireJoe Lemire won decisively on Cheetah in Stump final matchmedium
  • affiliated_withBlack Knight 2000Black Knight 2000 replaced Cheetah at RPC after Ron's accidental damage

Facts

No facts recorded

Claims (2)

  • factualhigh

    New Cheetah ROM has reduced features specifically to address locking-up issues

    Source: ZachEpisode 206 – Scooby Dooby Bruce, Where Are Yous?
  • factualhigh

    Bruce restored Frankencheetah using light board from Nineball machine with custom modifications to fit circuit architecture

    Source: Bruce NightingaleEpisode 143 – Daniel Wants Stars

Recent Mentions (24)

  • Game Keith is interested in acquiring; has problematic light plate issues in target bank that Keith was troubleshooting

    Episode 79 – We Enter The MatrixMar 1, 2018
  • Pinball game selected for PAPA/Stern/IFPA Pro Circuit Finals in Chicago; will likely use tournament ROM with non-random collects

    Episode 124 – Back In The SaddleFeb 26, 2019
  • Electromechanical pinball machine Ron is restoring; new upper left flipper coil installed; new speaker added; switch matrix shorts being diagnosed; all coils need re-sleeving

    Episode 103 – Another Quick OneAug 16, 2018
  • Classic Stern pinball game mentioned as having 'a bunch' of spinners

    #90.6 STARGAZER revisited - The Classic Pinball PodcastAug 30, 2022
  • Early production Stern machine owned by Tommy with blue cabinet; one of fewer than 100 produced; planning to display alongside Big Game prototype

    Indiana Tommy, Raider of the Lost ArtOct 2, 2024
  • Gottlieb System 1 machine at Silverwall Saloon featuring script Stern logo

    Episode 147 – K-turn

Contradictions

  • Existing: Cheetah is described as an 'Early solid-state Stern game' in Episode 86vsConflicting: Episodes 7 and 8 describe Cheetah as a 'Stern classic pinball machine' and 'electronics-era game' in INDISC 2024 context, with pop bumpers and multiplier mechanics characteristic of electromechanical (EM) rather than early solid-state design
    Resolved
    accepted_new · Mar 2, 2026

Related Glossary Terms

No linked glossary terms

medium
Jun 23, 2020
  • Pinball machine used as Game 1 in INDISC 2019 finals, features drop targets, spinner, bonus multiplier system, and single 500k cash-out bonus

    INDISC 2019 - Main Playoffs - FinalsApr 23, 2020
  • Stern pinball game; speaker has blue cabinet prototype #80 with prototype ROMs; planning CPR playfield swap

    #65 Meeting of the Minds - The Classic Pinball PodcastOct 26, 2021
  • Vintage pinball machine owned by Bruce; has alternate ROM version ('blue Cheetah') with different software and improved sound effects being tested.

    Episode 91 – Dynamic DuoMay 16, 2018
  • Late 1970s Stern pinball machine, subject of extensive restoration and technical troubleshooting discussion

    Episode 143 – Daniel Wants StarsApr 8, 2020
  • Solid State ROM-based pinball table; Tiki Bob's uses modified Cheetah ROM

    Tiki Bob's Swingin' Holiday Soiree (Original 2022)Dec 23, 2022
  • Stern machine at Cameron Silver Ball Saloon; Ron reports poor play results in his experience

    Episode 112 – Almost LiveOct 17, 2018
  • Tournament game; ROM modified to remove catch-up mechanic (38M mystery shot and left orbit infinite collect)

    INDISC 2023 Classics II Playoffs - QuarterfinalsDec 4, 2023
  • Pinball machine released in 1980; contemporary competitor to Ali

    #92 Stern Ali - The Classic Pinball PodcastSep 27, 2022
  • Stern Electronics 1980 release; super rare machine at Ayce Gogi

    SUMMER ARCADE TOUR STOP 9: Ayce Gogi - Los Angeles, California (July 2019)Jul 1, 2019
  • Stern classic pinball machine featured in first match play round, electronics-era game with pop bumpers and multiplier mechanics

    INDISC 2024 - Classics Target Match Play Playoffs - First RoundJun 17, 2025
  • Classic EM used as third game in INDISC semifinals; noted format change from prior years regarding guide placement

    INDISC 2024 - Classics Target Match Play Playoffs - SemifinalsJun 22, 2025
  • Game with new ROM featuring reduced features, specifically addressing locking-up issues; in beta testing with Zach and others

    Episode 206 – Scooby Dooby Bruce, Where Are Yous?May 17, 2023
  • Vintage machine at RPC that Ron accidentally damaged during repair attempt; replaced with Black Knight 2000

    Episode 207 – Leave The Lights OnMay 30, 2023
  • Pinball machine being modified by Bruce; had mysterious restart bug fixed by removing restart functionality

    Episode 204 – Proof and TruthApr 19, 2023
  • Women's tournament backup game; not turned on for entirety of tournament

    Episode 176 – Expo Mini-VUKNov 10, 2021
  • Pinball machine selected by Jerry in Stump playoff tiebreaker; Joe Lemire won decisively on this machine in final match

    Episode 216 – O BermudaOct 9, 2023
  • Game Bruce drove 24 hours to Arkansas to acquire for $20

    Episode 164: Deals! Collecting! Pricing!Nov 20, 2018
  • Early solid-state Stern game designed by Harry Williams; ~$4,500 purchase price; used as example of vintage game pricing and shorter play times due to lack of ramps/ball saves

    Episode 86 - Pinball Economics 101Jun 9, 2025