Thunderbirds is a pinball game released in 2018 by HomePin, a boutique pinball manufacturer. The game features DMD technology and was designed by John Popper, with positive reception for its art direction and shooting mechanics. However, the game has been cited as an example of poor design execution, with documented issues including inadequate expert feedback on layout, problematic rule implementation, and rushed production (lights programmed the night before shipping).
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Thunderbirds is one of the lowest rated games on Pinside
Thunderbirds pinball was 'much maligned'
Thunderbirds is approximately five years older than Lord of the Rings
Thunderbirds flipper button design (concave shape) causes players to use finger tips rather than pad of finger, requiring immediate aftermarket replacement
Upcoming game with large plastic ramps (mid-80s Bally/Midway style); features steepest center ramp observed, oversized shot; uses Williams flipper mechs, trough, and kick slingshots; Data East-style pop bumpers; multiple units under construction
Pinball machine with narrow mid-playfield ramp, up-down ramp on right, poor shot design; criticized heavily by both hosts
Vintage game at Pinball Hall of Fame; Monica played it (her first home pin experience); had issues with palm tree mechanism and multipall ramp not working; pitched higher than Next Level version
Game used as example of low repeat-play appeal; Kaneda disputes claim that all games play universally well on location
Recent pinball machine based on British TV show with marionette aesthetic; swept Twitchies awards despite poor artwork reception; regional appeal to Australian market
Jersey Jack Pinball title currently shipping; Bruce hasn't played it
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Thunderbirds is a prototype game with various design elements subject to change before production
Thunderbirds pinball is in full production with distributors now accepting pre-orders.
Thunderbirds pinball by Home Pin Pinball costs $7,500
Mike's machine; 359th Pinside rating (third-worst all-time); polarizing due to designer personality; Australian shipment delayed; discussed as having odd ramp-stopping mechanics; most votes based on non-player community sentiment
Classic pinball referenced as comparison for GTF's physical ball lock mechanism design.
Pinball machine mentioned as one Joel hasn't played
Pinball machine mentioned as alternative 'world's most hated machine'
HomePin title based on 1960s TV show; features pool-lift-to-habitrail mechanism; System 11-era gameplay; shipping now; sourcing challenges reported
Pinball machine Steve Gouveia plans to modify; currently seeking a machine to acquire
Stern pinball machine in full production with distributors taking pre-orders; noted as delayed due to licensing approval processes.
HomePin pinball machine, featured tournament game with multiball, locks, spinner mechanics, and ball save features
Home Pin Pinball licensed game; Rawdon owns the only 50th anniversary limited edition backglass in world; controversial reputation disputed by Rawdon; has 2.25B point rollover bug
Pinball machine referenced in context of powder coating and armor accessories
Pinball machine by Home Pin Pinball in development/recently released; $7,500 price point; described as keeping traditional pinball cabinet while modernizing; prominently displayed at Vancouver Flipout
Pinball machine created by Cameron Silver Ball; Kaneda expresses interest in streaming it; designer present at Vancouver Flipout event
Theme used for pinball machine; related to 'International Rescue' playfield reference in Kalinowski's game
HomePen's first game; criticized as lowest-rated on Pinside; used thin plastic ramps later replaced with metal
Pinball machine by Homepin; among newest titles at show; manufactured in Shenzhen, China
Homepin-manufactured pinball machine with licensed Thunderbirds theme, originally titled 'Thunderbirds Are Go'
Pinball machine in prototype stage; displayed by Nitro Pinball; received significant play attention; article provided detailed internal photos of cabinet construction, boards, and mechanics
Jersey Jack Pinball title exhibited at EAG
Homepin's first pinball machine; license has expired; development faced significant delays including engineer death, employee departure, and business complications
Previous HomePin pinball release; referenced as their prior machine
Previous HomePin pinball machine that required hand-held programmer for software updates
Spooky game; perceived as flop with cheap construction quality per hosts' experience at Pinball Museum Banning
HomePin's first pinball machine; received criticism from community for quality and design
Previous Homepin pinball release; characterized as 'much maligned' by community
Home Pin pinball machine; features proprietary flipper button design; discussed regarding build quality and gameplay experience
Referenced for similar color scheme to Bond Premium; criticized for puppet/marionette theme that appeals differently to collectors
Home Pin game; Don gave it qualified approval despite flat playfield and poor theme execution
Home Pins game; Don's favorite Home Pins title; has International Rescue Ramp and Shaking Palm Tree features
HomePin's first machine; Mike acknowledges design/production mistakes that limited ambition for debut title
HomePin title; container of units shipped to Australia with improved metal pallet packaging
HomePin's first commercial machine; production stopped upon China relocation; toppers promised to pre-order buyers being completed
Homepin's first release undergoing new production run; some pre-order disputes over shipping/tax charges
Pinball machine referenced in Torpies awards as having the worst call-out ('Player one, you're up')
Licensed pinball game Mike obtained rights for from ITV London; delayed 18-24 months due to personal tragedy
Pinball machine referenced in discussion of 'unfun' games that remain entertaining; features International Rescue spelling ramp
Home Pin game; center ramp with 20-25 shots; example of poor planning cited by hosts (lights programmed night before shipping)
HomePin licensed game referenced as cheapest available pinball but with rule/playfield issues; used to illustrate that price alone doesn't overcome gameplay concerns
Homepin game referenced as example of poor layout design from inadequate expert feedback
2018 pinball machine release using DMD; in Twerpies categories
Boutique pinball; manual released; likely designed by John Popper; positive art direction and shooting mechanics