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Road Kings

gameactive19 mentionsFirst seen Mar 9, 2007Last seen Feb 17, 2026

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Road Kings is a classic Williams pinball game from 1986 featuring a biker bar aesthetic and post-apocalyptic Mad Max-inspired theme. It was the first game Chris Granner worked on at Williams, establishing his compositional voice and signature production techniques ('granarisms') that would define his career. The game was also notable for being the first Williams title to utilize Yamaha synthesizer hardware. With approximately 3,000 units sold in Germany alone, Road Kings represents a significant entry point for pinball collectors and marked important milestones in both design innovation and audio technology for the era.

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Recent Mentions (19)

  • Vintage pinball machine; Jeff's first game purchase for ~$200 with ~$150 in needed repairs; learning project for understanding pinball restoration

    IBTL Episode 28: Pinball Around the Horn + Alice First Impressions, Guests Dirty Pool and HansJul 15, 2025
  • Mark Ritchie design; motorcycle-themed (Road Rash); considered one of worst games played by hosts; features center ramp and dual feeds to flippers; boring gameplay

    Episode 2 - The Ritchie Brothers Steve vs. MarkOct 30, 2023
  • Williams System 11 game with Mad Max-style post-apocalyptic motorcycle theme; first major restoration project Ashley Ludwig worked on via Craigslist job in 2013

    Episode 13 - Ashley Ludwig (Pinball Restorer) / RIP Matt KeilJul 31, 2025
  • Pinball game at Star Tropics described as 'guilty pleasure favorite'

    Portland Gets NudgedJun 5, 2025
  • 1986 System 11 game; manufactured approximately 5,000 units; sells for under $1,000; Scott Ian's number 4 favorite underrated game; designed by Steve Ritchie

    Episode 24: Dad Jokes and PinballSep 3, 2019
  • Classic pinball machine referenced as design precedent for diverter mechanics and physical ball routing in Guns N' Roses

Contradictions

  • Existing: Road Kings was designed by Mark Ritchie and originally themed as Samurai before becoming a Mad Max-inspired biker gamevsConflicting: Mention 3 attributes the game to 'Mark Richie' (misspelled) but provides design history details
    Resolved
    kept_existing · Mar 2, 2026

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Jersey Jack's Guns n Roses Looks Amazing: Part 1Oct 6, 2020
  • Pinball game from mid-1980s; first collaboration between George Petro and Mark Ritchie

    The Making of Pulp Fiction Pinball - Pinball Expo 2023 - Pinball NewsOct 20, 2023
  • Bally game; motorcycle race theme; influenced by Mad Max and Richard Corbin's heavy metal art style; Ramunni favorite painting

    Tony Ramunni - Dutch Pinball Open Expo 2025 - Pinball NewsNov 22, 2025
  • Mark Ritchie design with George Petro software

    PULP FICTION ANNOUNCEDMar 9, 2023
  • Williams pinball machine from 1986 at Lucky Bob's Raceway; pricing 50 cents/credit or $2/5 credits; condition noted as fair-to-average

    LUCKY BOB’S RACEWAYOct 30, 2017
  • EM-era pinball machine played at tournament

    Focus!Jun 11, 2017
  • Williams pinball; Chris Granner audio work

    Audio Appreciation: Six Great Pinball Sound Designers Who Shaped the Sounds of the GameJul 15, 2025
  • Williams game purchased new-in-box and completely dismantled to build Wrecking Ball whitewood prototype

    Pat Lawlor Part 2 – Williams Wreck'n BallApr 1, 2021
  • Williams System 11 game (1986), Mark Ritchie design, features 180-degree ramp, first hurry-up music cue, first ramp feeding to in-lane. Ranked third-lowest of 30 System 11 games on Pinside despite lacking substantial written negative reviews. Chris Graner's first soundtrack.

    Episode 57 - Pinball AirBnB / DOTH Road KingsNov 18, 2024
  • First pinball machine Kerry Stair acquired, traded for computer parts by Rick Chevy.

    TOPCast 12: Kerry StairMar 9, 2007
  • Mark Richie Williams design originally themed as Samurai; became Mad Max-inspired post-apocalyptic biker game; sold 3,000 units in Germany alone

    TOPCast 49: Mark RitchieAug 29, 2007
  • First Williams game (1986) to use Yamaha synthesizer hardware; marked beginning of Granner's career at Williams

    TOPCast 47: Chris GrannerAug 5, 2007
  • First game Granner worked on; biker bar aesthetic; established his compositional voice and 'granarisms' still present in his work

    Episode 71 – Chris Granner: Pinball Sound MastermindNov 26, 2018
  • Host's first pinball purchase (~$400); example of affordable collector entry point from earlier era.

    Dirty Pool Podcast Ep01 – Kineticist on the State of Pinball NewsMay 6, 2025