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Junkyard

gameactive43 mentionsFirst seen Jan 27, 2014Last seen Apr 2, 2026

Profile

Junkyard is a classic Williams pinball machine from 1996 designed by Barry Oursler, notable for featuring an iconic toilet mechanism as a central playfield element. The game has become a reference point in pinball design history, frequently cited by modern designers and enthusiasts as inspiration for contemporary titles like Pokémon Pinball. Junkyard represents a significant design landmark, with Oursler's work on it followed by a 26-year gap before his next commercial design, cementing its importance in the pinball canon.

Aliases

JunkYard

Relationships

  • designedBarry OurslerBarry Oursler was the designer of Junkyard (1996), his last commercial pinball designmedium
  • manufacturesWilliamsWilliams manufactured Junkyard in 1996medium
  • affiliated_withPokémon PinballJunkyard served as a design inspiration and mechanical reference point for Pokémon Pinball's playfield layout and center toy designmedium

Facts

  • achievementReceived updated code from Planetary Pinball with bug fixes and balance improvementshighfrom 2020
  • achievementServed as design inspiration for Pokémon Pinball playfield layouthighfrom 2026
  • attributeClassic Williams pinball title from 1997highfrom 1997
  • attributeFeatures center captive ball mechanichigh
  • roleDesigned by Barry Ouslerhigh
  • roleCode programmed by Dwighthigh

Claims (1)

  • factualmedium

    Junkyard technically has more video mode variety than Indiana Jones because it includes a time machine feature that cycles through video modes from other Williams games.

    Source: AlanEpisode 5 - Video Modes

Recent Mentions (43)

  • Referenced as comparison point to Pokémon; noted for flow gameplay

    Flow vs Precision: Two Ways to Play Modern PinballApr 2, 2026
  • Pinball game used by Walt Wood as difficulty comparison point; cited as harder than Pokémon Pinball

    the state of pinball 4/4/26...walk and talk #pinball with meApr 4, 2026
  • Pinball game credited as first to feature toilet mechanic (before Austin Powers and South Park)

    Episode 114 - Die on this Hill: Austin PowersMar 23, 2026
  • Referenced as design comparison point for Pokémon's multiball capture mechanics

    Pokémon Pinball Live Gameplay | Top Players & Stern Pinball at the dutch Pinball MuseumMar 22, 2026
  • Pinball machine played at IFPA 16 featuring Time Machine mode, Mamushka, crane shots, and multiball; Raymond won his game with 9 million points

    Episode 9 - IFPA 16Jun 17, 2019
  • Final game Oursler designed, marking end of his design career

    Episode 11-Barry Oursler - a conversation with a gentle giantJun 9, 2022

Contradictions

  • Existing: Junkyard is a Williams pinball machinevsConflicting: Mention 5 identifies it as a Data East title
    Resolved
    kept_existing · Mar 2, 2026
  • Existing: Junkyard is established as a pinball game from the 1990svsConflicting: Mention 8 describes it as a Zen Studios launch title with digital features (plunger and push-button launch), inconsistent with physical 1990s pinball machine
    Resolved
    accepted_new · Mar 2, 2026
  • Existing: Junkyard is a classic 1990s pinball machinevsConflicting: Mention 9 references code updates from Planetary Pinball as if it were a recent/ongoing digital release rather than a vintage physical machine
    Resolved
    kept_existing · Mar 2, 2026
  • Existing: Junkyard is a 1996 Williams pinball machine

Related Glossary Terms

No linked glossary terms

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  • Oursler's final Williams game (1996), released after he was laid off during its production. Last game he saw people play before cancer battle and eventual death.

    For Barry...Mar 1, 2022
  • Williams Pinball title (1996); Zofia Ryan's last pinball game at Williams before transferring to WMS Gaming slot machine division

    ZOFIA RYAN JOINS AMERICAN PINBALLJan 25, 2021
  • Williams pinball machine from 1996; located at Replay with pricing of 6 games for $5

    REPLAY BEER AND BOURBONMar 31, 2017
  • Williams (1996) at The Local Market; noted as broken

    PINSPOTTING: MAY 2022May 22, 2022
  • Pinball machine designed by Barry Oursler; his last design

    Barry Oursler Asks Pinball Community for HelpJan 27, 2014
  • Barry's final game at Williams, released 1996

    BARRY OURSLER DIESFeb 22, 2022
  • Toy/home pinball machine received by host as childhood gift; nostalgic reference

    The Super Awesome Pinball Show Holiday Special 2022Dec 10, 2022
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    May the flip be with youMay 7, 2020
  • Virtual Pinball Arcade table; criticized for poor animation (non-moving spinner micro-switch, artificial crane trajectory), slow ball staging, and repetitive progression after wizard mode

    Questions Answered (sort of)Aug 31, 2016
  • Classic Williams pinball game; included in Williams Valley Volume 1; receiving both classic and remastered Zen treatment

    Zen Studios Interview with Mel KirkSep 16, 2018
  • Zen Studios digital pinball table cited for exceptional plastic playfield artwork

    Mel Kirk Interview: Volume TwoNov 14, 2018
  • Zen FX table; noted as difficult one-ball survival challenge

    Data is KingFeb 21, 2019
  • Pinball machine that inspired David's college video game design project

    EP11 David BenkeDec 21, 2025
  • Referenced as design influence for Road Trip game

    There's a new Pinball Manufacturer in town... Are you going on the Road Trip?Feb 5, 2025
  • Classic pinball game referenced for design elements (drop targets, ramp positions)

    American Pinball Live Stream # 5 Barry O's Barbecue ChallengeApr 26, 2024
  • Barry Oursler's last commercial design (1996); features iconic toilet mechanism; 26-year gap until next game

    Episode 337: Thank You, Barry OurslerFeb 26, 2022
  • Game where Worre limited video mode play to once per ball maximum instead of repeat playability

    Episode 245: Soren WorreFeb 24, 2020
  • Dwight Sullivan game; features multiple unique video modes plus time machine randomizer cycling other Williams video modes; notable for design variety

    Episode 5 - Video ModesNov 20, 2023
  • Barry Ousler playfield with Dwight's code; cited as example of programmer influence over designer layout

    Episode 92 - Programmers: The Unsung Heroes of PinballJul 21, 2025
  • Classic Williams pinball title receiving updated code from Planetary Pinball with bug fixes and balance improvements

    Let's predict 2021Dec 20, 2020
  • Launch title with timed demo; features blueprint playfield and supports both plunger and push-button launch

    And the WMS License Goes To… Zen Studios!Sep 4, 2018
  • Classic 1997 Williams title repeatedly referenced as closest mechanical/flow comparison to Pokémon Pinball design

    Pokémon Pinball at Stern HQ – Pro vs Premium Gameplay + ReviewFeb 13, 2026
  • Referenced as design inspiration for Pokémon center toy/ramp area; comparison noted for playfield layout similarities

    Pokémon by Stern Pinball: Game Announcement Breakdown. Streamed from Raccoon City Pinball.Feb 14, 2026
  • Classic Data East title; center captive ball mechanic directly compared to Pokémon's center pit design

    pokemon pinball first impressionsFeb 13, 2026
  • 1995 Stern game with center playfield bash mechanism that Pokemon iterates upon; 30-year-old design that serves as design foundation

    Dirty Pool Pinball Live - Pokémon Pinball Reactions & Stern Cornerstone Talk w/ MNretrogamerFeb 16, 2026
  • 1996 Williams pinball game cited as design inspiration for Pokémon playfield layout

    Pokémon Reveal Tomorrow?; Beetlejuice Pinball on LocationFeb 12, 2026
  • 1996 Williams pinball machine; referenced as design/layout comparison point for Pokémon Pinball

    What I'm Hearing About Pokémon PinballFeb 10, 2026
  • Classic pinball machine; Pokémon design uses as mechanical callback; referenced multiple times as inspiration for simplicity-focused shot design

    Free Show: EPISODE 1188: "Why Pokemon Might Be The Most Important Pinball Ever & The LE Will Hit $30,000!"Feb 16, 2026
  • Tentatively cited as possible design reference (poster uncertain)

    Pokemon looks like a love letter to some of Jack's favorite games. Anything I'm missing?Feb 10, 2026
  • vs
    Conflicting: Mention 4 identifies it as a 1995 Stern game; Mention 7 identifies it as a 1997 Williams title
    Resolved
    kept_existing · Mar 3, 2026