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Space Shuttle

gameactive41 mentionsFirst seen May 20, 2007Last seen Apr 9, 2026

Profile

Space Shuttle is a landmark 1984 Williams pinball game designed by Joe Kaminkow, Larry DeMar, Barry Hausler, and Mark Springer. The game is credited with saving Williams from closing its pinball division, with approximately 7,000 units produced during an industry downturn. It featured innovative design elements including plastic ramps and distinctive mechanics, and became a culturally significant title that helped revive the pinball market in the mid-1980s.

Aliases

No aliases

Relationships

  • affiliated_withSorcererSorcerer sold approximately half the units of Space Shuttle; sound elements sourced from Space Shuttle arcade systemmedium

Facts

  • achievementCredited with reviving the pinball market during industry downturnhighfrom 1984
  • achievementCredited with saving Williams from closure of pinball divisionhighfrom 1984
  • achievementFirst pinball machine to feature plastic rampshighfrom 1984
  • attributeFeatured NASA subject matterhighfrom 1984
  • attributeSound package created by Eugene Jarvishighfrom 1984
  • attributeFeatures molded plastic space shuttle toy in topperhighfrom 1984

Claims (3)

  • factualmedium

    Space Shuttle (1984) sold 7,000 units with a molded plastic toy and static 'hot new pinball' topper.

    Source: Alex / Alan (Wedgehead co-hosts)Episode 99 - Much Ado About Toppers
  • factualmedium

    Space Shuttle was released in 1984 and generated approximately 7,000 units

    Source: Dust's researchPart 2: 1985 Pinstar Gamatron Project! WTF is Gamatron anyways?
  • factualhigh

    Space Shuttle (1984) saved and revitalized the pinball industry

    Source: American Pinball announcementBARRY OURSLER DIES

Recent Mentions (41)

  • 1984 pinball game co-designed by DeMar, Oursler, and Kaminkow; credited with revitalizing Williams and the pinball industry

    Hall of Fame Spotlight: Larry DeMarApr 9, 2026
  • Williams pinball machine (1984); 7,000 units sold during video game crash; credited with 'saving pinball'; features space shuttle toy, great effects, light shows, and multiball sequence; tied for #3 on list

    The 10 Best Pinball Machines Ever Made From 1980 - 1984Mar 16, 2026
  • American Pinball title; Barry Osler designer; Steven Bowden developer; nostalgic significance to Bowden's childhood

    The Pinball Show Ep 92: Weird Al Is Such A TeaseFeb 24, 2022
  • Classic pinball game; Stephen Bowden believes this was his first pinball experience as a child; influences Food Truck design goal to include space shuttle reference

    Ep 28: WhatabonusFeb 27, 2021
  • Data East game (1984) designed by Kaminkow, Larry DeMar, and Marc Springer; credited with saving Williams from bankruptcy via ~4,500 orders

    Stern Electronics… No, Not That SternJun 26, 2020
  • 1984 Williams pinball game designed by Kaminkow and Larry (programmer). Sold 7,000+ units and single-handedly saved Williams from bankruptcy during video game crash era.

Contradictions

  • Existing: Space Shuttle is a Williams gamevsConflicting: Mention 7 identifies it as a Gottlieb game
    Resolved
    kept_existing · Mar 2, 2026
  • Existing: Space Shuttle was designed by Joe Kaminkow, Larry DeMar, Barry Hausler, and Mark SpringervsConflicting: Mention 5 attributes design to Joe Kaminkow but mentions 'Grover's Oyster House' as design inspiration context and Mention 6 attributes design to Barry Osberg
    Resolved
    kept_existing · Mar 2, 2026
  • Existing: Space Shuttle is a 1984 Williams pinball gamevsConflicting: Mention 7 states it is a 1984/85 Gottlieb game
    Resolved
    accepted_new · Mar 3, 2026

Related Glossary Terms

No linked glossary terms

  • attribute1984 Williams pinball gamehighfrom 1984
  • attributeDistinctive right-side spinner and target sweep mechanicsmediumfrom 1984
  • attributeDesigned by Joe Kaminkow, Larry DeMar, Barry Hausler, and Mark Springerhighfrom 1984
  • attributeApproximately 4,500-7,000 units producedmediumfrom 1984
  • Ep 68: Pinball Legend Joe KaminkowSep 3, 2021
  • Game at Star SPF where host finished first

    Tucson Pinball Podcast – Episode 72 – You Have Much To Learn GrasshopperMar 9, 2024
  • Credited with reviving pinball during the 1980s video game era; described as make-or-break game for the industry; designed by Barry Oursler.

    Pinball Heroes: Barry OurslerApr 4, 2009
  • Classic credited with revitalizing/saving pinball; features Louis toy and multiball mechanics

    SDTM Episode 50: This Or That? Road Trip!!! (Houdini or Dialed In! & more pinball)Feb 18, 2018
  • Pinball machine mentioned; chat comparison with Simpsons machine

    The Simpsons (Data East1990) 06/19/15Jun 22, 2015
  • Williams game by Oursler that Hardy argues potentially saved the pinball industry at the time of release.

    For Barry...Mar 1, 2022
  • Classic Williams pinball game that inspired Barry's Barbecue Challenge design; first pinball game played by American Pinball presenter

    American Pinball Update - 2024Feb 7, 2025
  • Pinball machine designed by Barry Oursler; described as saviour of pinball in its battle against video games

    Barry Oursler Asks Pinball Community for HelpJan 27, 2014
  • Barry's 1984 design credited with saving the pinball industry

    BARRY OURSLER DIESFeb 22, 2022
  • 1984 Williams game designed by Barry Oursler, credited with revitalizing the pinball industry

    Rest In Peace Barry OurslerFeb 22, 2022
  • Pinball machine; featured in February tournament; most-used table in FarSight tournament history; alphanumeric classic

    Jarful, Meaty, Prickly, Pinball DiscussionMar 2, 2016
  • Classic pinball table with brutally difficult airlock drain design; accurately tuned in TPA according to hosts

    Questions That Drift To the Future-pastNov 13, 2016
  • 1984 Williams pinball credited as savior of the company during recession era

    Drop It Like Its HawtJul 6, 2017
  • Williams pinball machine from downturn era; Table of the Week; Jared engaged in wizard goal completion; known for accessibility and quick-play design

    Kickstart my HeartFeb 15, 2016
  • Original Zachariah EM table with remake version featuring wireframe ball trails and European flipper placement

    Mart from Magic PixelAug 20, 2018
  • Classic pinball machine title mentioned at 1984 Branson

    Where to Play Pinball in Branson: Arcades, Bars, and Game Stores with MachinesMay 19, 2025
  • Early restoration project for Colin alongside Black Knight

    Colin Alsheimer – Editor / Author Kineticist and TWIP - Episode 22Mar 30, 2024
  • Barry Oursler game featuring what Teolis calls 'the all-time favorite spinner in pinball history' — easy to rip from both flippers, buildable to 7,000 points per spin.

    Episode 337: Thank You, Barry OurslerFeb 26, 2022
  • Classic pinball game referenced for design inspiration; drop targets repositioned to Space Shuttle layout position

    American Pinball Live Stream # 5 Barry O's Barbecue ChallengeApr 26, 2024
  • Classic pinball game that was Dave Christenson's first pinball experience and inspired his career in the industry

    Grilling the Game: The Recipe Behind Barry O's Barbecue ChallengeAug 20, 2024
  • Classic Williams pinball game; Bowden's first pinball experience; primary design influence for Barry O's including lock locations, sweep drop targets, stop-and-score mechanics, and multiball options

    Saucy Secrets: Inside Barry O's Barbecue Challenge with Steve BowdenAug 27, 2024
  • Classic pinball machine that inspired the designer's lifelong love of pinball; design philosophy and mechanical elements (drop target positioning) directly influenced Barry's Barbecue Challenge development

    American Pinball Update - 2024Feb 7, 2025
  • Classic pinball game by Barry Ousler that inspired Bowden's entry into pinball at age 6-7 at Union Flea Market in Vauxhall, New Jersey

    Steve Bowden - Fun With Bonus - Episode 55Feb 14, 2025
  • Barry Osler-designed game credited with saving pinball industry during video game boom

    Pinball Magazine & Pinball News PINcast February 2022 recapMar 1, 2022
  • Classic space-themed pinball machine; Barry Oster design with spinner mechanics, one of Erin's top three favorite space-themed pins

    Episode 418: Erin Winick AnthonyMay 13, 2025
  • Favorite spinner game of Jeff Teolis; played by Neil McRae for first time at Pinberg; described as great game

    Episode 124: Neil McRae of the UKApr 23, 2018
  • Machine frequently selected at Buffalo Pinball Summer Open causing monotonous stream coverage; eventually damaged by Eric Stone

    Episode 229: Steve DanielsNov 6, 2019
  • Williams System 9 game released December 1984; sold 7,000 units; featured toy space shuttle, speech synthesis, multiball, and innovative ramp design; center of debate about whether it 'saved' pinball

    Barry Oursler Saves PinballJun 19, 2021
  • 1984/85 Gottlieb game featuring molded plastic space shuttle toy and static 'Hot New Pinball' topper; sold 7,000 units during pinball industry downturn

    Episode 99 - Much Ado About ToppersSep 8, 2025
  • Oursler solid-state design; features distinctive right-side spinner and target sweep mechanics; acclaimed by host as top-five game

    Episode 87: Barry OurslerNov 3, 2017
  • Classic pinball game designed by Barry Osberg; referenced as Bowden's first pinball experience and source of design elements in Barry O's

    Ep 133: Barry O's BBQ with Steven Bowden and David FixMar 27, 2024
  • Williams game designed by Joe Kaminkow in early 1980s; designed on menu from Grover's Oyster House; featured NASA subject matter (public domain); Eugene Jarvis created sound package; helped revive Williams

    TOPCast 37: Joe KaminkowMay 27, 2007
  • 1984 release that saved Williams from shutting down pinball division; sold 7,000 units; first game with plastic ramps; re-designed from Kamenkau/DeMarr layout

    TOPCast 35: Barry OurslerMay 20, 2007
  • First pinball machine Mike and his father purchased from Tiptop Tavern in late 1980s/early 1990s; one of two games retained from childhood collection

    What it's like running Sparks Pinball Museum with the owner Mike Bradley | Ep 180Dec 22, 2025
  • 1984 Williams pinball game with ~7,000 units produced; credited with reviving pinball market during industry lull

    Part 2: 1985 Pinstar Gamatron Project! WTF is Gamatron anyways?Aug 22, 2025
  • 1984 Williams pinball game designed by Kaminkow, Larry DeMar, Barry Hausler, Mark Springer; credited with saving Williams from closure through 4,500 initial orders

    Episode 50 – Joe Kaminkow from Kapow PinballJul 2, 2018