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Superman

gameactive25 mentionsFirst seen May 9, 2007Last seen Mar 17, 2026

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Superman is a classic Atari pinball game from the 1970s designed by Steve Ritchie and programmed by Eugene Jarvis. The game represents an important collaboration between two legendary pinball designers during Ritchie's tenure at Atari before his move to Williams. Additionally, there is a rumored modern Stern pinball machine themed around Superman in contractual negotiations as of 2025, indicating the IP's continued relevance in pinball manufacturing.

Aliases

Superman 78

Relationships

No relationships

Facts

No facts recorded

Claims (1)

  • factualmedium

    Superman is the widest wide-body pinball machine ever made

    Source: DennisEpisode 25 - Happy 2017!

Recent Mentions (25)

  • Pinball game designed by Steve Ritchie at Atari. Widebody format. Ritchie iterated through four whitewoods to refine gameplay. Featured rotary solenoids (problematic) in early versions; later replaced with standard components.

    Steve Ritchie - Fireside Chat 2025Mar 17, 2026
  • 1979 Atari pinball machine designed by Steve Richie, featuring wide body cabinet, LED displays, stay-alive warming circuit, innovative flipper configuration. Approximately 5,000 units produced. Atari's final and most successful pinball machine.

    #18 Superman - The Classic Pinball PodcastDec 3, 2019
  • Atari game; George is restoring for Steve Ritchie; target deadline Thanksgiving; has flipper mechanism issues

    # 17 - Thanksgiving Show - The Classic Pinball PodcastNov 26, 2019
  • Proposed Stern pinball theme with artwork by Christopher Franchi; Stern declined to license; artwork publicly revealed on Slapstick Pinball Podcast

    Episode 52 - What's next?May 15, 2019
  • Pinball machine owned by Brad; features spinner shots; played in tournament finals where Spencer scored 700,000 points on second ball

    The Spinner Is Lit - Episode 54 Spring Thaw - When It Rains It PoursMar 29, 2023
  • Unreleased/rejected Stern Pinball project; Franchi created artwork but project was rejected by Sam Stern; required Christopher Reeves family approval before proceeding

Contradictions

  • Existing: Designer is Steve RitchievsConflicting: Mention 1 states the game was 'released after he left Atari for Williams', but the game is an Atari title, meaning Ritchie designed it while at Atari, not after leaving
    Resolved
    kept_existing · Mar 3, 2026

Related Glossary Terms

No linked glossary terms

Christopher FranchiJul 5, 2019
  • Early Atari game designed by Ritchie; went through five Whitewood prototypes before final version

    Steve RitchieJun 3, 2018
  • Hypothetical IP; Hardy and chat discuss version ambiguity (78 vs other versions) in context of potential future Stern releases.

    Hardy Live: Jaws 50th DiscussionJul 3, 2025
  • Pinball machine in Dennis's collection

    Episode 45 - Pinapalooza, Pinbot, and CupheadOct 9, 2017
  • Classic pinball machine restored by Dennis; wide-body game (29 inches); arranged by height in collection between Star Trek and Firepower

    Episode 25 - Happy 2017!Jan 2, 2017
  • Pinball game Dennis acquired in 2016, described as unexpected addition to collection

    Episode 24 - 2016 Year-End ReviewDec 19, 2016
  • 1979 Atari pinball machine; Steve Ritchie early design; wide-body format; recently acquired by Dennis

    Episode 23 - Pin Designers, Ultimate Stern, Playstation Experience, and More Overwatch!Dec 5, 2016
  • Host's dream pinball theme that doesn't currently exist; mentioned as personal favorite IP for hypothetical future game

    Pinball Party Podcast Ep 8: Years AgoOct 13, 2022
  • Atari game designed by team including Ritchie and Eugene Jarvis.

    Steve Ritchie Take 2 - Dutch Pinball Open Expo 2025 - Pinball NewsNov 23, 2025
  • Christopher Reeve Superman film-themed pinball concept; art created by Franchi, rejected by Stern, now publicly shown

    Episode 88 - Year of the Franchi?May 19, 2019
  • Classic pinball game designed by Ritchie in his career

    He's Back - Again!Mar 2, 2011
  • Atari pinball game Ritchie was developing when he was hired by Williams; left incomplete.

    Past Times Pinball History Ep 14: FlashFeb 28, 2024
  • 1979 Atari pinball; last game Atari released; designed by Steve Ritchie; feature machine at Pastimes Arcade

    Past Times Pinball History Ep 20: The AtariansMay 15, 2024
  • Genghis's #10 theme; specifically credits Superman 2 with Neil Patrick Harris-style character appeal

    We are Pinball Episode 2.1 My TOP 10 Pinball Themes (filler episode)Jun 14, 2024
  • Pinball game designed by Steve Ritchie at Atari; released after Ritchie had left Atari; praised as one of Ritchie's best games of that era

    Episode 400: Eugene JarvisJul 21, 2024
  • Unreleased game; Franchi created artwork; Stern passed on project citing insufficient commercial viability

    Episode 9: Origin Story and Music PinsMay 16, 2019
  • Atari pinball game designed by Steve Richie; programmed by Jarvis

    TOPCast 39: Eugene JarvisJun 3, 2007
  • Atari game designed by Ritchie and programmed by Eugene Jarvis; released after he left Atari for Williams

    TOPCast 32: Steve RitchieMay 9, 2007
  • License Stern passed on that community wants (per Kaneda's poll); Keith Elwin would design; positioned as missed opportunity

    Episode 1137: "Kaneda's 8am Patreon Live Rant"Sep 16, 2025
  • Rumored Stern theme in contractual state; speaker negative on theme due to recent movie

    Saturday Morning Spectacular July 26Jul 27, 2025