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Grand Lizard

gameactive19 mentionsFirst seen May 20, 2007Last seen Jan 12, 2026

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Grand Lizard is a classic pinball machine from Williams, originally designed in the 1980s as a single-level variant of Solar Fire with distinctive wire cage launching mechanics and Paul Ferris artwork featuring a Python's lizard head sculpture. The game has maintained relevance in the modern pinball community, appearing in tournament play at venues like The Flipper Room and being featured in competitive events such as Concord Champ '25. It continues to be actively played and celebrated in pinball culture, with both historical significance in home collections and contemporary presence in competitive circuits.

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Relationships

No relationships

Facts

  • achievementUsed in Concord Champ '25 tournamenthighfrom 2025-11-18 until 2025-11-18
  • achievementSubject of video 'Celebrating The Art of Pinball'highfrom 2025-03-05
  • attributeDesigned as single-level version of Solar Firehigh
  • attributeFeatured wire cage launching mechanismhigh
  • attributeArtwork by Paul Ferrishigh
  • attributePinball machine manufactured by Williamshigh
  • attributeNotable playfield vertical flow mechanics

Claims (8)

  • factualhigh

    Robert purchased Grand Lizard for $450 around 2010-2012, right before pinball machine prices increased significantly

    Source: Robert TerryEP12 Robert Terry
  • factualhigh

    Lock stealing is possible on Grand Lizard if a player drains while locks are set

    Source: Tournament commentatorsConcord Champ '25: Quarters, Game 4/4 on Grand Lizard by Williams. Streamed from The Flipper Room.
  • factualhigh

    Three-lock mode on Grand Lizard provides 3x multiball multiplier vs. 2x with fewer locks

    Source: Tournament commentatorsConcord Champ '25: Quarters, Game 4/4 on Grand Lizard by Williams. Streamed from The Flipper Room.
  • opinionmedium

    Grand Lizard multiballs tend to be relatively short-lived

Recent Mentions (19)

  • Pinball machine where Eric Stone scored $69 million in 1999

    Episode 9: The Classic Pinball Podcast - Funspot Arcade, Laconia, NH with Eric Stone.Aug 27, 2019
  • Tournament game in INDISC 2020 High Stakes, one of main games covered in stream

    INDISC 2020 - High Stakes PlayoffsJan 12, 2022
  • Pinball machine in tournament modern bank

    It Never Drains in Southern California 2016 - Friday Night QualifyingJan 20, 2016
  • System 11 game owned by Chris in Lodi; excellent condition; loaned to league

    The Spinner is Lit - Episode 8: The Lady Has SkillsJul 16, 2017
  • April 1986 System 11 game by Barry Ousler and Python Anghelo; first to showcase Python's color capabilities; notable for disjointed art package due to mid-development conversion from System 9.

    Episode 53 - Pinball Metamorphosis: The System 11 Era Pt.1Oct 21, 2024
  • System 11 pinball game; referenced for similar anti-gravity magnet save mechanics compared to Rick and Morty

    Rick and Morty Pinball TutorialJan 24, 2024

Contradictions

  • Existing: Grand Lizard is a 1980s Williams pinball machine (mentions 3, 4, 5, 6)vsConflicting: Mention 2 references a 'pre-release display unit' with 'prototype backglass and plastics' at The Pinball Studio dated 2025-09-30, suggesting an unreleased or recently developed version
    Unresolved
  • Existing: Grand Lizard is a Williams pinball machine from the 1980s (per mentions 3, 4, 5, 6)vsConflicting: Mention 0 describes it as a 'Non-Stern game' implying it is not a Stern machine, but does not explicitly confirm Williams manufacturer; however, the phrasing 'recently played at Dutch Pinball Open' with vertical flow mechanics description does not align with the 1980s design specifications documented elsewhere
    Resolved
    kept_existing · Mar 3, 2026

Related Glossary Terms

No linked glossary terms

medium
  • attributeFeatured Python's original lizard head sculpturehigh
  • attributeReleased in the 1980smediumfrom 1980 until 1989
  • statusPre-release display unit at The Pinball Studio with prototype backglass and plasticshighfrom 2025-09-30
  • Source: Tournament commentatorsConcord Champ '25: Quarters, Game 4/4 on Grand Lizard by Williams. Streamed from The Flipper Room.
  • factualhigh

    Grand Lizard features a spinner that produces monkey sounds

    Source: Tournament commentatorsConcord Champ '25: Quarters, Game 4/4 on Grand Lizard by Williams. Streamed from The Flipper Room.
  • opinionmedium

    Upper flipper modifications on Grand Lizard throw off player timing

    Source: Tournament commentatorsConcord Champ '25: Quarters, Game 4/4 on Grand Lizard by Williams. Streamed from The Flipper Room.
  • factualhigh

    Grand Lizard was originally a System 9 game that was pushed back and reconfigured as System 11, causing a disjointed art package.

    Source: Alan (based on consultation with Greg Freres)Episode 53 - Pinball Metamorphosis: The System 11 Era Pt.1
  • factualmedium

    Grand Lizard is significantly faster paced than Rescue 911 in tournament configuration

    Source: Karl D'Angelo and StevenINDISC 2020 - High Stakes Playoffs
  • Pinball machine with mini flippers; Sharp jokingly references it regarding his camera performance anxiety

    Elton John Pinball Gameplay Guide (SDTM, 2024)Feb 3, 2024
  • Pinball game referenced in passing during gameplay discussion

    Elton John Pinball Gameplay Guide - PORTRAIT/VERTICAL (SDTM, 2024)Feb 4, 2024
  • System 11 pinball machine; featured playfield and drops up the top; played at Indisc 2020 high stakes finals; Anthony performed poorly on unfamiliar game.

    The Aussie Pinball Podcast Ep 8: Anthony CirilloAug 14, 2022
  • Williams pinball machine from 1986; recently acquired by JGM

    JAPAN GAME MUSEUM UPDATEJan 30, 2017
  • Second game in Indisc 2025 finals; features center spinner strategy; tight tilt setup

    🔥 FIRST LOOK: Wizards & Warriors Episode 6 - Back to Back ZMac Attack! 🔥Feb 10, 2025
  • Game with Magna Save feature; button-hold mechanic allows player control of ball movement within magnet

    Episode 17 - Extra Button GimmicksFeb 12, 2024
  • Designed as single-level version of Solar Fire; featured wire cage launching mechanism; Paul Ferris artwork; Python's original lizard head sculpture

    TOPCast 35: Barry OurslerMay 20, 2007
  • Williams pinball machine used in Concord Champ '25 Qualifying Round 6

    Concord Champ '25: Qualifying Round 6 on Grand Lizard by Williams. Streamed from The Flipper Room.Nov 18, 2025
  • Williams pinball machine being played in tournament quarterfinals

    Concord Champ '25: Quarters, Game 4/4 on Grand Lizard by Williams. Streamed from The Flipper Room.Nov 18, 2025
  • 1980s pinball machine; Robert purchased for ~$450 in 2010-2012 from a scrapper, marking his entry into home pinball ownership

    EP12 Robert TerryJan 12, 2026
  • Pre-release display unit at The Pinball Studio with prototype backglass and plastics

    EP04 Halloween TournamentSep 30, 2025
  • Subject of video titled 'Celebrating The Art of Pinball'

    Grand Lizard - Celebrating The Art of PinballMar 5, 2025
  • Non-Stern game Jack recently played at Dutch Pinball Open; notes playfield vertical flow mechanics

    Ask Jack Anything: Episode 3Dec 9, 2025