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Theatre of Magic

gameactive62 mentionsFirst seen Jul 23, 2011Last seen Mar 12, 2026

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Theatre of Magic is a 1995 magic-themed pinball game designed by John Popadiuk and manufactured by Bally, ranking #2 among all 1995 pinball machines. With 6,600 units produced, it became a notable title praised for its integration of magical theme elements into playfield design. The game is currently being developed as a remake by Pedretti Gaming in partnership with American Pinball and Planetary Pinball Supply, indicating its enduring significance in the classic pinball market.

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Claims (6)

  • factualhigh

    Theatre of Magic has color-changing shooter rod, mirror blades, tiger saw mod, curtain mod, and new plastic ramps with brass apron and magnet

    Source: Mike Dus and Kevin, direct inspectionThe Grasley Garage! Theatre of Magic Arrives. We fix Harlem & Alaska progress!
  • opinionhigh

    Theatre of Magic Eddie sensors are poorly designed and prone to going out of adjustment

    Source: Mike Dus and KevinThe Grasley Garage! Theatre of Magic Arrives. We fix Harlem & Alaska progress!
  • opinionhigh

    Theatre of Magic is a masterpiece in theme integration with excellent playfield design and flow

    Source: Author (Kineticist)Every Pinball Machine of 1995, Ranked
  • predictionmedium

Recent Mentions (62)

  • 1995 Bally pinball machine; ranked high on list, designed by John Popadiuk, praised for masterclass theme integration

    Every Pinball Machine of 1995, RankedOct 14, 2025
  • Pinball machine gifted to Neil McRae by his wife, noted as addictive with good flow

    DOMINO Pinball - Happy New Year - The Walking Dead PinballDec 19, 2025
  • Classic pinball game with remake rights reportedly held by Pedretti Gaming

    American Pinball Announces New Team Members, Partnership with The Electric PlaygroundMar 12, 2026
  • Classic Williams/Raven game; discussed for excellent playability and contrast to Addams Family

    Ep 3: NACS, Women’s World, ECS, deeproot, & MORE!Jun 26, 2020
  • 1995 John Papadiuk game, third in poll (15%); close second to Tales; suspected of being one of two Pedretti prototypes

    The Pinball Show Ep 169 BONUS: The Next Pedretti Game: Looking Deeper Into The Poll ResultsJan 28, 2025
  • Co-host of Triple Drain Pinball Podcast with Joel and Travis (audio issues mentioned)

    48: 3rd Day of Balls: Joel Bob Drain Ghost

Contradictions

No contradictions detected

Related Glossary Terms

No linked glossary terms

Theatre of Magic remake will carry premium pricing due to screen hardware and difficult-to-source mechanical parts

Source: Neil McRaeThe Great British Pinball Podcast Episode 27 - UK Pinfest Pinfest 25 Special!
  • factualhigh

    Theatre of Magic's trunk mechanism works perfectly at Happy Valley

    Source: Knapp Arcade (author)ARCADE REPORT: Happy Valley Arcade Bar in Beacon, NY (July 2021)
  • factualmedium

    Theatre of Magic has created a new Shooter Lane mod available on Pinside

    Source: Spooky Pinball video presenterTotal Nuclear Annihilation by Spooky Pinball, JDRF Charity Auction Game #550
  • Dec 17, 2023
  • Classic game used for This Week in Pinball livestream event at Expo

    Patreon Expo recapOct 24, 2023
  • Top pinball player who assisted in analyzing and explaining Venom mechanics during reveal booth presentation

    Ep 113: That Venom Has a Booty!Jul 21, 2023
  • Classic pinball game available at The Beast with tight tilt sensitivity and rubbers removed, avoided by Raymond in qualifying

    The Ray Rae Show, Episode 7: The Beast & Ladies Flip D82Aug 23, 2023
  • Pinball machine in Mike's collection; previously owned but never heavily serviced; plans for basement restoration

    My Secret Pinball Machine Stash Revealed! You Won’t Believe This!Mar 3, 2026
  • Referenced as having 60 million YouTube views; used as benchmark for band/IP popularity metrics

    What's really going on with John WickMay 28, 2024
  • Referenced as a table; mentioned in context of mysterious 'masterpiece' property related to VPX table building

    Pinball FX3 vs. Visual PinballNov 3, 2019
  • Tournament title being streamed concurrently with Labyrinth stream

    Labyrinth Gameplay with Topper - v2024.02.16 | Goblin City Multiball!Feb 17, 2024
  • Classic pinball game referenced during stream gameplay

    Toy Story 4 (Jersey Jack Pinball 2022)Aug 3, 2022
  • Classic pinball game referenced; streamer viewer username

    That time I put 8 balls in Scooby Doo When only 7 required!Jan 30, 2024
  • Community modder who created a new Shooter Lane mod featured on the machine

    Total Nuclear Annihilation by Spooky Pinball, JDRF Charity Auction Game #550Oct 16, 2019
  • Tournament being streamed concurrently, mentioned as alternative stream

    Pulp Fiction Gameplay StreamFeb 4, 2024
  • Future Pinball table currently disabled in test environment; mentioned as needing rebuilding

    Blade Runner - Replicant Edition (Future Pinball)Jul 12, 2023
  • Pinball game mentioned with trunk toy as honorable mention for best toys

    Straight Down The Middle: a pinball show Episode 2: Top 10 Pinball ToysFeb 9, 2017
  • Pinball machine referenced in discussion; Extra Paul mentioned struggling with back-end mechanics

    Stream 658: Stern LOTR (2003)Aug 10, 2023
  • Classic pinball machine referenced and played as mode within Rush 2112

    Rush 2112 CompleteAug 4, 2023
  • Classic pinball machine; venue/player reference in scheduled Monday battle

    Stream 510: Total Nuclear Annihilation (Spooky)Jan 11, 2022
  • Classic pinball machine mentioned in George's anecdote about children at bouncy park

    S298: Star Trek (Stern) ProJun 24, 2020
  • Pinball player/instructor; recommended pinball 101 video to Ralph covering ball control and post-pass techniques

    Episode 23: My Cringe Gary Stern Moment, Your Voicemails, & 2025 Pinball Rumors!Jan 19, 2025
  • Referenced as having a weekly time slot previously held by 'tucky' before Don's Friday slot

    Behind the scenesJul 17, 2023
  • Classic Williams game being remade by Chicago Gaming Company, noted for screen complexity and difficult-to-source parts (clown/ringmaster mechanisms)

    The Great British Pinball Podcast Episode 27 - UK Pinfest Pinfest 25 Special!Aug 21, 2025
  • Referenced multiple times during stream gameplay and discussion, appears to be available at venue or frequently played

    Bram Stoker's Dracula (Williams 1993) 06/12/15Jun 15, 2015
  • Twitch chat participant thanked for joining the stream

    We're live at Chicago Pinball Expo! The Walking Dead Pinball! - 1 / 2Oct 24, 2014
  • Pinball machine mentioned during stream in context of gameplay discussion

    Day 3 of TWILIGHT ZONE Battle Week! - 1 / 3Dec 11, 2014
  • Referenced in chat as viewers watching stream; also classic pinball machine mentioned in venue context

    Live at halfrez.Nov 6, 2014
  • Pinball machine referenced in stream discussions; cited as example of game with music that could trigger YouTube muting

    Day 1 of HOT SHOT battle week! - 1 / 2Nov 6, 2014
  • Williams pinball game displaying Jason Werdrick's initials (JPW) in factory scoreboard

    Day 5 of TWILIGHT ZONE Battle. Feb '15 ( Jason Werdrick Here! ) - 2 / 2Feb 23, 2015
  • Pinball machine referenced during stream gameplay; Jack mentions practicing it

    Prepping for Wed's 24-hour stream 08/18/15Aug 24, 2015
  • Classic pinball game referenced during stream banter; 10-ball multiball capability discussion

    Black Knight Sword of Rage Pinball LE/PREM 0.97 Code RevealJun 25, 2019
  • Referenced as previous Stern game by Dwight Sullivan and team; mentioned as context for artist/designer collaboration

    Ghostbusters Pinball Code Update 2019Sep 19, 2019
  • Motion graphics/visual effects designer at Stern; responsible for storyboarding and full-screen flashy effects in Deadpool.

    DEADPOOL Pro Pinball | Stern PinballAug 16, 2018
  • Classic pinball game referenced during gameplay; mechanics compared to Dracula's hole play

    Bram Stoker's Dracula (Williams 1993) 06/09/15Jun 15, 2015
  • Mentioned as being discussed for community engagement regarding donation outcomes

    Bram Stoker's Dracula (Williams 1993) 06/10/15Jun 15, 2015
  • Pinball machine collected by Furness due to personal interest in magic; part of collection history that led to pinball obsession

    Barrels of Fun - Dutch Pinball Open Expo 2024 - Pinball NewsNov 5, 2024
  • Pinball machine in Silverball Museum Delray Beach collection

    SILVERBALL MUSEUM DELRAY BEACHNov 8, 2016
  • 1995 Bally pinball game designed by Popadiuk; Magic Girl draws design inspiration from this title

    Popaduik Announces New Game PlansJul 23, 2011
  • Bally 1995 pinball machine at Pinball Paradise

    PINSPOTTING - SUMMER 2020Jul 27, 2020
  • Williams pinball machine featured on Volume 2

    PINBALL MUSIC ON VINYLMay 19, 2023
  • Classic Williams pinball designed by Popadiuk in 1995; featured Spirit Ring mechanism; referenced in Magic Girl restoration discussions regarding design intentions

    FINISHING MAGIC GIRLAug 25, 2022
  • Classic Williams pinball game; announced in development pipeline for 3D translite from Pinball Dreams

    3D TRANSLITEApr 11, 2016
  • Bally Williams classic; identified as remake candidate in original pipeline but no specific rumors confirmed

    More Remakes of Classic Pinball Machines Are ComingJun 27, 2023
  • 1995 Bally pinball game with promotional video included in collection

    The Ultimate Compilation of 1990s Bally / Williams Pinball Promotional VideosJun 13, 2023
  • Unlicensed standard-body CGC remake cited as successful product

    RUMOR: A Large Order Has Been Placed for Twilight Zone Pinball RampsJan 18, 2023
  • Bally (1995) classic pinball machine at Bartari

    2021 FALL ARCADE ROAD TRIP STOP 1: BARTARI - SCRANTON, PANov 3, 2021
  • Pinball machine at Happy Valley with spongey flippers but otherwise functional; author favors this machine

    ARCADE REPORT: Happy Valley Arcade Bar in Beacon, NY (July 2021)Aug 24, 2021
  • Classic pinball machine in Upper Nyack Grill lineup.

    ARCADE REPORT: Upper Nyack Grill - Upper Nyack, NY (June 2018)Jun 1, 2018
  • Classic pinball game; Greg's YouTube channel originally named after this title; decals applied to his custom cabinet exterior despite hardware mismatch (non-DMD cabinet)

    Spacies Fireside ChatJul 4, 2018
  • Classic Bally/Williams pinball referenced as design example using mirrors to solve visibility obstruction issues

    Not Salty About PeanutsNov 13, 2021
  • Upcoming Zen Williams table release (table manual visible in official video); expected to anchor next table pack after Safecracker.

    Out of SyncMar 14, 2019
  • Pinball machine in rotating collection at The Meanwhile

    Where to Play Pinball in Grand Rapids: Arcades, Barcades, and Bars with MachinesMay 19, 2025
  • Pinball game featuring trunk toy; Kyle's favorite playfield mechanism

    Around the Playfield: The Kyle Spiteri InterviewJun 26, 2025
  • Gottlieb EM machine with extensive brass modifications, color-changing shooter rod, tiger saw mod, curtain mod, mirror blades; recently acquired and added to Grazley Garage arcade lineup

    The Grasley Garage! Theatre of Magic Arrives. We fix Harlem & Alaska progress!Feb 8, 2026
  • WMS pinball game released July 1995 alongside Pinball Magic; both companies independently developed magic themes simultaneously

    Episode 119 – Where No Pinhead Has Gone BeforeDec 2, 2019
  • #2 ranked 1995 machine by Bally; magic-themed; designed by John Popadiuk; praised for theme integration and playfield design

    Every Pinball Machine of 1995, RankedOct 3, 2025
  • Classic game reportedly in development as remake by Pedretti Gaming

    American Pinball and Planetary Pinball Supply Announce Long-Term Partnership to Produce Classic Williams® and Bally® Pinball GamesJan 26, 2026
  • 1995 Bally pinball game suspected as subject of Pedretti's next remake; designed by John Popadiuk; 6,600 units produced

    New Details on the Next Bally Williams Pinball RemakeJan 2, 2026
  • User's existing game; Godzilla being considered as partner machine

    Godzilla: Based on your experience...Feb 12, 2026