Journalist Tool

Kineticist

  • HDashboard
  • IItems
  • ↓Ingest
  • SSources
  • KBeats
  • BBriefs
  • RIntel
  • QSearch
  • AActivity
  • +Health
  • ?Guide

v0.1.0

← All beats

Pinball

/pinball

DashboardKnowledge Base2772IntelligenceTools1SettingsChangelog
← Back to KB

Baywatch

gameactive28 mentionsFirst seen Feb 20, 2008Last seen Jan 26, 2026

Profile

Baywatch is a beach-themed pinball machine manufactured by Sega in February 1995, designed by Joe Kamenkow and Joe Balcer. It features the iconic Baywatch IP with imagery of David Hasselhoff and Pam Anderson, distinctive shark fin flippers, a tower mechanism, and widebody format. The game is highly regarded within the pinball community, ranking #7 among all 1995 machines and #1 among Sega's pinball releases, with strong gameplay depth and enduring '90s nostalgia appeal. Original machines currently command $4,000-$4,500 on the secondary market.

Aliases

No aliases

Relationships

  • manufacturesSegaSega manufactured Baywatch as their second American pinball game in February 1995medium
  • designedJoe BalcerJoe Balcer served as lead designer on Baywatch, his first full-size pinball as lead designermedium
  • designedJoe KamenkowJoe Kamenkow co-designed Baywatchmedium

Facts

No facts recorded

Claims (9)

  • opinionmedium

    Baywatch is widely considered the best or near-best Sega game despite being the second release in 1995

    Source: Alex, Wedgehead Pinball PodcastEpisode 110 - SEGA Pinball
  • opinionhigh

    Baywatch contains deep and rewarding gameplay despite its salacious art package

    Source: Author (Kineticist)Every Pinball Machine of 1995, Ranked
  • factualhigh

    Baywatch is a four-flipper game with a shark flipper (cross-playfield flipper) that became automatic once timing was perfected

    Source: Ron Hallett and Joe Balcer quotesJoe Balcer – The King Of Clunk
  • factualhigh

    Baywatch pinball features a shark flipper—a small automatic flipper that crosses the playfield—making it effectively a four-flipper game

Recent Mentions (28)

  • 1995 Data East pinball game; Orin Day took over from Lyman Sheets; featured drowning Kevin Martin character; displayed at Reno trade show with celebrity Pamela Anderson appearance

    Episode 114 – A Banner DayOct 30, 2018
  • Sega Pinball machine (February 1995) based on NBC TV series; Balcer's first full-size layout assignment; four-flipper game with shark flipper; co-designed with Joe Kamenkow

    Joe Balcer – The King Of ClunkOct 19, 2023
  • Pinball machine; Bill and Ken both own one; positioned as 'guilty pleasure'; potentially more common than community admits; noted for controversial alternate trans lights

    Episode 2 - Around the pinball industryJul 2, 2018
  • Pinball machine Bill purchased from Ken; DMD display failed ~1-2 months after purchase; discussed as example of honest seller-buyer relationship

    Episode 51 - Are You A Pinball Pirate, Flipper, or Scallywag?May 7, 2019
  • Pinball machine frequently discussed by hosts; Bill owns one or is acquiring one; never streamed despite repeated mentions in past episodes; has white wave artwork on playfield

    EP 95 - SKYNET is HEREMay 28, 2023
  • Recommended entry-level pinball machine; reasonable value around $3,000-$3,500 even unshopped; hosts joked about becoming 'Baywatch sales reps'

Contradictions

No contradictions detected

Related Glossary Terms

No linked glossary terms

Source: Joe Balcer quote, David Dennis/Ron Hallett discussionSilverball Chronicles Ep 33: Joe Balcer - The King Of Clunk
  • factualhigh

    Baywatch was released by Sega in 1995

    Source: Greg Bone / Zach Minney (SDTM hosts)SDTM Episode 91: Baywatch Pinball Machine Review
  • opinionhigh

    The playfield layout rivals or exceeds other contemporary Sega machines in shot variety and accessibility

    Source: SDTM hosts (consensus during layout discussion)SDTM Episode 91: Baywatch Pinball Machine Review
  • opinionhigh

    The rules and modes lack meaningful engagement compared to the mechanical design quality

    Source: Host giving C gradeSDTM Episode 91: Baywatch Pinball Machine Review
  • factualhigh

    Baywatch is a wide-body pinball machine

    Source: Greg BoneSDTM Episode 91: Baywatch Pinball Machine Review
  • factualmedium

    Secondary market pricing for quality Baywatch machines ranges from $2,500 to $3,000

    Source: SDTM hostsSDTM Episode 91: Baywatch Pinball Machine Review
  • EP 91 - Nightmare On My StreetJan 17, 2023
  • Speculated Stern announcement (Baywatch 2); theme licensing for pinball

    Bram Strokers Dracula (Williams 1992)Jul 18, 2019
  • Referenced as example of Sega full-size DMD game

    The Pinball Show Ep 156 BONUS: Can We Really Compare Old Games To New Games?Jul 3, 2024
  • Data East pinball game where John Carpenter did display programming work.

    TOPCast 53: Orin DayFeb 20, 2008
  • Sega game ranked #1 by Dennis. Four-flipper layout with shark flipper, big display, back box topper, 12 stand-ups, five-ball multiball. Co-designed with Kamikow.

    The Pinball Show Episode 178 BONUS: Dennis' Top 5 Greatest Pinball Machines Of All Time From Each Company Part 2 (Data East & Sega)Jul 12, 2025
  • Pinball machine that supports Color DMD colorized display upgrades

    INDISC 2019 - Main Playoffs - FinalsApr 23, 2020
  • Pinball machine where Ben scored unusually high at Arizona State Championship

    Tucson Pinball Podcast – Episode 71 – 2023 DataJan 26, 2024
  • Pamela Anderson-themed pinball sold for $9,400 at auction; driven up by theme recognition

    Episode 104 Drew needs a DoctorSep 14, 2021
  • Sega large DMD machine; featured in futuristic house design; Scott Ian's number 2 and Drew's number 3 favorite underrated games; known for unique layout

    Episode 24: Dad Jokes and PinballSep 3, 2019
  • Tournament pinball game running custom ROMs 4.01 with modified lock mechanics; features color DMD, guard millions mode, and multiball gameplay

    INDISC 2019 - Main Playoffs - QuarterfinalsApr 21, 2020
  • Classic TV show referenced in context of pinball machine themes and potential launch party event

    Riverboat Gambler (Williams 1990)Aug 24, 2022
  • 1995 Sega pinball machine, wide-body, featuring beach/lifeguard theme with large DMD display and Shark flipper mechanism

    SDTM Episode 91: Baywatch Pinball Machine ReviewMay 12, 2019
  • Pinball machine mentioned as available at Emporium Bar on Milwaukee in Logan Square, Chicago

    World Cup Soccer '94 (Bally 1994) 06/24/15Jul 2, 2015
  • Pinball machine title mentioned as hypothetical example for giveaway participation

    PinSound Giveaway!!Feb 8, 2021
  • Data East pinball game; first mechanical layout designed entirely by Walshert; featured complex wire ramps

    American Pinball at Vancouver Flipout Expo 2018Sep 9, 2018
  • 1995 Data East pinball; Joe Balcer's first full-size layout design; features four flippers including shark flipper; based on TV show

    Silverball Chronicles Ep 33: Joe Balcer - The King Of ClunkOct 18, 2023
  • Vintage pinball machine picked up from Chicago with plastic ramps; example of ramp restoration challenges

    EP 4 - Controversial Pinball OpinionsJul 17, 2025
  • Sega pinball machine; ranked #1 greatest Sega game; features David Hasselhoff and Pam Anderson IP; widebody format; described as well-rounded with strong '90s nostalgia appeal; currently sells for $4,000-$4,500

    Top 5 Greatest Pinball Machines From Sega (SDTM, 2025)Mar 11, 2025
  • Classic pinball machine played by Gonzo at expo for the first time

    Melbourne Pinball Expo 2025 TourNov 25, 2025
  • Sega-manufactured pinball machine from 1995; ranked #7; beach-themed with deep, rewarding gameplay despite salacious art package

    Every Pinball Machine of 1995, RankedOct 3, 2025
  • Second Sega American pinball game (February 1995, 2,000 units); Joe Kamenkow/Joe Balser design; beach theme with shark fin flipper, tower, iconic bikini artwork; highly regarded as best or near-best Sega game

    Episode 110 - SEGA PinballJan 26, 2026
  • Pinball game referenced humorously in context of Ironman training

    Episode 41: Zach Sharpe, IFPA VP and current #1 playerMay 16, 2017
  • Balcer's first full-size pinball as lead designer (Data East/Sega era); six-player mode; shark flipper feature; still ranked in Pinside top 100

    Episode 163: Joe Balcer, a career retrospectiveNov 11, 2018