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Silver Slugger

gameactive13 mentionsFirst seen Mar 4, 2007Last seen Jul 25, 2025

Profile

Silver Slugger is a 1990 Gottlieb pinball machine featuring a robot-baseball theme, designed by John Trudeau. As the first Gottlieb street-level table released in February 1990, it sold 2,100 units and was a commercial success that spawned a follow-up sports title (Hoops). The game is notable for its single-level Williams-inspired layout with three spinners, though it gained notoriety as an unlicensed knockoff of video game concepts (Cyber Stadium/Base Wars) and briefly appeared in the 1992 film 'What Women Want'.

Aliases

No aliases

Relationships

  • manufacturesGottliebGottlieb manufactured Silver Slugger in 1990medium
  • designedJohn TrudeauJohn Trudeau designed Silver Sluggermedium
  • affiliated_withHoopsHoops was created as a follow-up sports-themed pinball game in the same genre as Silver Sluggermedium
  • affiliated_withDeadly WeaponCompeted alongside Silver Slugger for Best Knockoff Licensed Game nomination in 1990medium

Facts

No facts recorded

Claims (1)

  • factualhigh

    Silver Slugger features three spinners, drop target banks, stand-ups, saucers, and 3-ball multi-ball

    Source: DennisEpisode 45 - Pinapalooza, Pinbot, and Cuphead

Recent Mentions (13)

  • Premier street-level game with 2,100 units produced; highly successful single-layer design with modern features but simpler ruleset

    TOPCast 10: John TrudeauMar 4, 2007
  • Gottlieb street-level single-playfield pin from Trudeau; Dennis tracking for acquisition

    Episode 33 - Fun TimesApr 24, 2017
  • 1990 Gottlieb pinball machine recently acquired by Dennis; features spinners, drop targets, saucers, and multi-ball

    Episode 45 - Pinapalooza, Pinbot, and CupheadOct 9, 2017
  • Gottlieb street-level game (1990); first street-level game; owned by Dennis; used for testing and research; visually appears mid-1980s despite 1990 release date

    Episode 47 - Street Level + Loot Crates = Profit?Nov 5, 2017
  • Pinball machine owned by Dennis; recently repaired left flipper coil mounting and right pop bumper MOSFET issues; now fully functional

    Episode 46 - Pinball Expo & Video Games GaloreOct 23, 2017
  • 1990 Data East pinball machine owned by Tony; listed at $1,250 with lowest offer $900; System 11-equivalent priced lower than comparable games

    Episode 99 - A Blizzard of Expo News

Contradictions

  • Existing: Silver Slugger is a Gottlieb pinball machine (mentioned in mentions 0, 1, 3, 4)vsConflicting: Mention 2 describes it as a 'Single-level Williams design'
    Resolved
    kept_existing · Mar 3, 2026

Related Glossary Terms

No linked glossary terms

Oct 20, 2019
  • Referenced as a baseball-themed layout with good mechanics; mentioned as potential inspiration for budget home edition redesign

    Episode 227 - The Way of SentinelSep 1, 2024
  • First 'street level' release (1990); most successful of the line with 2,100 units produced; strong location performance

    THE HISTORY OF ‘STREET LEVEL’ PINBALLSNov 16, 2017
  • Gottlieb sports-themed pinball machine that was a massive hit; Hoops created as follow-up in same genre

    Maximum Hang Time: Hoops Pinball TutorialJul 24, 2025
  • First Gottlieb street-level table (Feb 1990); baseball theme; designed by John Trudeau; 2,100 units sold.

    Street Cred: Reviewing Every Gottlieb "Street-Level" Pinball TableJul 25, 2025
  • Single-level Williams design; referenced as host's favorite layout despite poor ruleset; had three spinners

    The Pinball Show Ep 121 Part 2: From BUY Now! To CRY Now! #crycrycryJan 17, 2023
  • Gottlieb Premiere robot-baseball game; identified as knockoff of licensed concept (inspired by Cyber Stadium/Base Wars video games); wins nomination for Best Knockoff Licensed Game alongside Deadly Weapon.

    Episode 90 - Pinball Hindsight Awards 1990Jul 7, 2025
  • 1990 Gottlieb pinball machine with futuristic baseball theme; briefly appeared in background of 'What Women Want'; subject of the copyright lawsuit; described as 'mostly forgotten' and unremarkable

    Episode 47 - Gottlieb vs. Paramount PicturesSep 9, 2024