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Xenon

gameactive49 mentionsFirst seen May 30, 2009Last seen Apr 8, 2026

Profile

Xenon is a classic pinball game from the early 1980s, notable for its innovative sound design by Suzanne Ciani, making it the first and only pinball machine designed by a female sound designer. The game features distinctive xenon tube design and rollover button mechanics that influenced later machines like Cybernaut. Xenon has appeared in competitive pinball circuits, including PAPA World Championship qualifying banks, and remains a sought-after vintage machine among collectors and enthusiasts.

Aliases

No aliases

Relationships

No relationships

Facts

  • achievementFirst or only pinball game with female sound designerhigh
  • achievementUsed in PAPA World Championship grand finalshigh
  • attributeEM-era craftsmanship examplehigh
  • attributeClassic pinball machine with xenon tube designhigh
  • attributeSound design by Suzanne Cianihigh
  • attributeEarly single-level pinball tablehigh
  • attributeReferenced as aesthetic and mechanical comparison point for rollover buttons and tube designhigh

Claims (7)

  • factualhigh

    Xenon was designed by Greg Kmiec with art by Paul Faris

    Source: Nudge Magazine articleBudge The Nudge 1: Solvieg’s Party
  • factualhigh

    Xenon is a pinball machine owned by Pinsomniac.

    Source: HostWizard Mode - Iron Maiden - Battle the Beast
  • factualhigh

    Xenon was the first game released by Bally that had speech.

    Source: George#35 Xenon - The Classic Pinball Podcast
  • factualmedium

    Suzanne Cianci performed the speech work for Xenon.

    Source: George#35 Xenon - The Classic Pinball Podcast

Recent Mentions (49)

  • Pinball machine from Mike DePue scheduled for cabinet job and hardtop restoration at Grasley Garage

    The Grasley Garage! Xenon, Getaway, TOTAN, Getaway x 3 & One of a Kind Twilight Zone!Apr 8, 2026
  • Solid state era pinball machine mentioned as improving in secondary market, priced $3-3.5k

    PINBALL OZ WIDE PODCAST - EPISODE 16 : WHY THE 90's IS THE BEST ERA OF PINBALLMar 26, 2026
  • Classic pinball game; Grant's machine experiencing sound board problems; source of discussion about aftermarket sound board availability

    #126 Pintastic Preview - The Classic Pinball PodcastMar 31, 2025
  • Solid-state pinball machine purchased by Jeff Frick in 1992 as his first collector machine; landmark in his collecting journey

    Episode 415 - Interview with Jeff Frick 2-7-18Feb 8, 2018
  • Classic pinball machine mentioned in chat speculation about Pin Stadium streaming equipment compatibility

    S273: Jurassic Park (Pro)Apr 24, 2020
  • Pinball machine successfully set up by George (working condition)

    #110 Disorder in the house - The Classic Pinball Podcast

Contradictions

  • Existing: Xenon is a classic/early 1980s pinball game with EM-era craftsmanshipvsConflicting: Mention 6 references it as an early single-level pinball table in context of physics tuning, dated 2016-08-22, which appears to describe a digital/modern pinball game rather than a classic machine
    Resolved
    kept_existing · Mar 2, 2026

Related Glossary Terms

No linked glossary terms

  • statusPart of PAPA qualifying bankhigh
  • statusPreviously owned by Mike at Old Chicago venuemedium
  • opinionhigh

    Xenon is more valuable as an artwork piece than as a deep gameplay experience.

    Source: Dr. Dave#35 Xenon - The Classic Pinball Podcast
  • factualhigh

    Paul Farris did the art for Xenon.

    Source: George#35 Xenon - The Classic Pinball Podcast
  • factualhigh

    Greg Mayek designed Xenon.

    Source: George#35 Xenon - The Classic Pinball Podcast
  • Nov 28, 2023
  • 1978 Bally pinball machine, first Bally game with speech, features prominent female artwork, designed by Greg Mayek with art by Paul Farris.

    #35 Xenon - The Classic Pinball PodcastAug 25, 2020
  • Pinball machine where George experienced minor paint lift during Mylar removal

    Episode 11: The Classic Pinball Podcast - Road Trip to deliver a 1984 Eight Ball DeluxeOct 1, 2019
  • Bally pinball in Dave's collection; similar to Embryon in spinner mechanics; owned for spinner qualities

    #34 Spinner - spinner, chicken dinnerJul 27, 2020
  • Game in Dave's collection; John recently renovated ramp based on Dave's version

    #28 You’re Out! - The Classic Pinball PodcastMar 10, 2020
  • Later Bally game that received the talking/music technology that KISS wanted but couldn't have due to technological limitations

    #74 Bally KISS - The Classic Pinball PodcastFeb 1, 2022
  • Pinball machine that Grant performed rapid playfield restoration on; received linear flipper mechs as temporary solution

    #112 Spirit of 76 Grand Prix - The Classic Pinball PodcastJan 30, 2024
  • 1980 Bally pinball; November release; previously featured on Classic Pinball Podcast; George's third keeper-quality 1980 Bally game

    #57 Silverball Mania - The Classic Pinball PodcastJul 13, 2021
  • Classic pinball machine used for Budge the Nudge event in Mankato; selected for its accessible rule set and suitability for non-expert players

    Episode 5 - Kaneda (Part 1) / Budge The NudgeFeb 13, 2025
  • 1980 Bally pinball machine designed by Greg Kmiec with art by Paul Faris; used for the Budge The Nudge inaugural event; known for experimental sound design by Suzanne Ciani

    Budge The Nudge 1: Solvieg’s PartyFeb 3, 2025
  • Referenced in passing as game with stolen music element in Playboy

    Playboy (Stern 2002) VPinApr 12, 2020
  • Pinball game referenced as being harder than GOTG

    Guardians Of The Galaxy (Stern 2017)Jul 24, 2020
  • Bally's first multi-level pinball game with tube shot, designed by Greg Kmiec; featured speech by Suzanne Ciani and later converted to multiball by Alan Riezman's concept

    Pinball Heroes: Greg KmiecMay 30, 2009
  • Classic pinball machine owned/stored at Rob Noel's location with upgraded playfield overlay and brand-new backglass; Christine's high score of 1 million points (difficult benchmark); mint condition example.

    Rapid Fire tour of this Amazing Game Room and Frontier is headed to Australia!Jul 22, 2025
  • Pinball machine; recent duel competition venue between The Pinsomniac and Flipstream

    S291: Jack*Bot - Part 2Jun 4, 2020
  • Classic pinball machine in Nick's collection that he streams; he emphasizes this game 'will never leave'

    INTERVIEW with Nick from The_PinsomniacJun 16, 2022
  • Older pinball machine owned by Pensomniac; plans to stream gameplay at Pensomniac's house

    S229: Tron Legacy (Pro)Jan 17, 2020
  • Classic pinball machine owned by Pinsomniac; referenced during wizard mode discussion.

    Wizard Mode - Iron Maiden - Battle the BeastApr 8, 2022
  • Classic pinball machine mentioned as part of upcoming TPN schedule with Pin Somniac streaming

    S306: Star Trek (Stern) ProJul 6, 2020
  • 1980 Bally pinball machine, designed by Paul Ferris; features Bally's first voice sound card; known for brutal playfield design and loss of flipper control

    S289: XENON Battle!May 29, 2020
  • Pinball machine at Pinsomniac's, scheduled for Wednesday night stream

    Total Nuclear Annihilation (Spooky) - Part 2Oct 19, 2019
  • Classic pinball machine described as having beautiful artwork and mysterious aesthetic, recently sold from Zach Sharpe's collection

    SDTM: Knockout EM w/ ZachAug 6, 2017
  • Pinball machine, ranked #4; features robot/alien female character with 3D LED effects and mysterious aesthetic

    SDTM: a pinball Show Episode 11: Top 10 BackglassesApr 11, 2017
  • Bally pinball machine featuring tube ramp and mirrored back glass

    The Biggest Pinball & Arcade Collection on the Planet!?Jun 11, 2023
  • Classic pinball machine owned by Fun Spot since 1980s; underwent playfield restoration under second-generation management as symbolic commitment to machine preservation legacy.

    Thinking Big - The Visionaries - Pinball Expo 2024 - Rob Berk, Doc Mack, Dave Lawton, Mike JacobsonOct 18, 2024
  • Bally pinball game; 5-seed upset by Eight Ball Deluxe LE; Dennis owns and is attempting to sell

    Episode 9 – 2 Hosts | 2 InterviewsAug 18, 2016
  • Pinball machine at Pinball Olympics modified with adult-themed obstacle for flipper button operation

    My First Pinball Olympics! It was AWESOME!Oct 26, 2023
  • Vintage pinball game; example of CPR's old limitations—large minimum print runs meant long waits (1+ year) for rare-game playfield replacements; Tony owned one with wear.

    Episode 66 - Mrs. Pin in Da House!Jul 15, 2018
  • Williams 1979 table; Chris compares its sound design to TX Sector, finding them equally unremarkable despite 8-year gap

    Why Gottlieb's Aren't Chris' Favourite ManufacturerMay 30, 2016
  • Pinball table with square backglass tested on Arcooda; animations disabled for performance; letterboxed on 16x9 screen

    Arcooda Cabinet Hands-onJun 25, 2018
  • Classic pinball machine title mentioned at 1984 Branson

    Where to Play Pinball in Branson: Arcades, Bars, and Game Stores with MachinesMay 19, 2025
  • Pinball machine Colin cycled through during his collection building phase.

    Colin Alsheimer – Editor / Author Kineticist and TWIP - Episode 22Mar 30, 2024
  • Vintage machine at Binghamton Robot City arcade receiving criticized repair with oversized screws protruding through playfield

    Episode 200 – Glenn’s SongFeb 10, 2023
  • Classic pinball game with four pop bumpers in T formation; should have been top answer in Expo trivia contest but wasn't; received only honorable mention

    Episode 323: Koi MorrisNov 22, 2021
  • Bally Class of 1981; cutting-edge art and sound package but 'not an amazing player' mechanically; part of the final great era before collapse.

    Pinball Is Dying Part 3 – Bally-MidwayJan 16, 2023
  • Bally pinball game featuring Suzanne Ciani's composition and vocoded voice; first pinball game with female composer and female voice; iconic back glass with woman confronting alien; first true ramp with 'shoot the tube' shot.

    Episode 70 - Legendary Women of the Pinball IndustryFeb 17, 2025
  • Mid-80s game; cited as single-ramp era example when ramps were considered major features rather than standard.

    Episode 8 - Pinball Terminology Explained (new players start here)Dec 11, 2023
  • Referenced as early single-level pinball table that could benefit from improved physics tuning

    Tech Talk, Bugs, and FeaturesAug 22, 2016
  • Used in PAPA World Championship grand finals; part of PAPA qualifying bank

    The Score Card: From Chicago to LondonOct 8, 2025
  • Vintage pinball machine mentioned by Mike; he previously owned one at Old Chicago venue; references it nostalgically after 'divorce' (no longer owns it)

    Pinball Pick up Adventure! One of these items almost killed me!Feb 15, 2026
  • Referenced as comparison point: 'This is like Xenon 2.0' regarding tube/ramp design features

    Part 1: 1985 Bally Cybernaut Pinball Project. Set up and inspection!Nov 21, 2025
  • Referenced as aesthetic and mechanical comparison point for Cybernaut's rollover buttons and xenon tube design

    1985 Bally Cybernaut Pinball Project Gameplay / TutorialDec 13, 2025
  • Classic pinball game with sound design by Suzanne Ciani. Kyle serviced a copy for the sound designer. Notable for being first/only game with female sound designer. Mentioned as example of EM-era craftsmanship.

    Dirty Pool Podcast - Ep13 - Kyle Spiteri - Motorcycles, Cats, and Stern Support GuruJul 23, 2025
  • Classic pinball machine owned by Ryan; experienced immediate technical failures, repaired collaboratively with Chris

    Dirty Pool Podcast Ep15 – Rebecca Salam on Pinball CollectivesAug 27, 2025