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Congo

gameactive54 mentionsFirst seen Apr 18, 2007Last seen Dec 24, 2025

Profile

Congo is a 1995 Williams pinball game designed by John Trudeau, featuring a jungle/gorilla theme based on the film of the same name. Ranked #5 among 1995 pinball releases, it is known for exceeding the quality of its source material and introducing design elements that influenced later games like King Kong (2025). The game features a moving tiger saw mod, trunk feature, and lower playfield, with approximately 2,129 units produced and currently valued around $6,500 on the secondary market.

Aliases

No aliases

Relationships

  • designedJohn TrudeauJohn Trudeau designed Congomedium
  • manufacturesWilliamsWilliams manufactured Congo in 1995medium
  • affiliated_withKeith ElwinKeith Elwin used a partially stripped Congo as a base platform for developing the Archer homebrew gamemedium
  • affiliated_withKing KongCongo influenced the design of King Kong (2025); King Kong includes a Dead Eye mode described as a tribute to Skillfire in Congomedium

Facts

  • achievementRanked #5 pinball machine of 1995highfrom 1995
  • achievementRanked #81 all-time pinball machinehigh
  • achievementInfluenced design of King Kong (2025) pinballhighfrom 1995 until 2025
  • attributeJungle/gorilla-themed gameplayhighfrom 1995
  • attributeBased on Congo film licensehighfrom 1995
  • attributeFeatures moving tiger saw modhighfrom 1995
  • attribute

Claims (2)

  • opinionhigh

    Congo's influence is visible in modern games like King Kong: Myth of Terror Island (Stern, 2025)

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

    Congo has appreciated from $1,200-1,400 to $4,500 in secondary market.

    Source: SpencerEpisode - 33 summertime blues

Recent Mentions (54)

  • Game with lower playfield that Chris finds interruptive to gameplay

    The United Kingdom of Pinball - Xmas special!Dec 24, 2025
  • Classic pinball machine; won 'Crap Movie Great Game Battle No. 2' poll (52-48 vs Demolition Man); advancing to face Shadow in next battle

    Ep 14: MASKEDAug 14, 2020
  • Pinball game featured in round 4; Raymond struggled with mystery hole shot targeting

    Episode 12 - Pinburgh Part 1Aug 14, 2019
  • Referenced for lower playfield mechanic; host notes it's cool but mandatory lower playfield would be annoying in regular play

    79: Axe-Man vs Avenue TarSep 13, 2024
  • Williams pinball game; originally two-level design, redesigned; Sheets worked as support programmer under Bill Grupp

    Episode 100 – Lyman LamentsJul 18, 2018
  • Tournament machine; modified with tight tilt and gray gorilla disabled

    INDISC 2015 Pinball Tournament FinalsJan 27, 2015
  • Unreleased Williams pinball game shown to Greg during factory tour; not yet released for testing at time of tour

Contradictions

  • Existing: Congo is a 1995 Williams pinball gamevsConflicting: Episode 8 identifies Congo as a Williams 1988 pinball machine
    Unresolved
  • Existing: Congo is a 1995 Williams/Bally pinball machinevsConflicting: Episode 8 identifies Congo as a Williams 1988 pinball machine
    Resolved
    kept_existing · Mar 2, 2026

Related Glossary Terms

No linked glossary terms

Features trunk feature and lower playfield
high
from 1995
  • attributeContains Skillfire mode referenced in King Kong Dead Eye modehighfrom 1995
  • attributeReleased in 1995highfrom 1995
  • attribute2,129 units producedhighfrom 1995
  • attributeMarket price ranged from $5,000 to $6,500 between 2020-2025highfrom 2020 until 2025
  • attributePinball machine manufactured by Williamshighfrom 1995
  • roleDesigned by John Trudeauhighfrom 1995
  • roleBill Grupp served as last official lead programmer before 27-year gaphighfrom 1995
  • TOPCast 62: Greg DunlapJul 30, 2008
  • Williams 1995 pinball machine featuring jungle/gorilla theme based on 1995 Congo film, primary game discussed throughout stream

    Congo (Williams 1995)Oct 8, 2019
  • Pinball machine used in tournament finals; modified version without in-lane post and ball save; game where Tim scored 1.9 billion in final round

    Episode 68 – Working For The WeekendNov 9, 2017
  • Classic layout referenced as basis for Tron; also recently acquired by Richmond Pinball Collective; comparison point for playfield design

    The Nature EpisodeJun 20, 2021
  • Classic pinball machine; host's son's previous favorite game before Jurassic Park; features hippo sound effects

    Ep 49: AIQ with Keith ElwinNov 30, 2020
  • Classic pinball machine in hidden speakeasy room at Black Cat venue in DC discovered during Zack's tour stop

    Rescue 911 + Chill? We get tilted with Liquid Mike’s Zack AlwordenMay 15, 2025
  • Williams 1995 pinball machine; subject of virtual play session and upcoming real machine availability

    Congo (Williams 1995) Virtual PinOct 1, 2019
  • Pinball machine; Matt has achieved a golden cue with 3.7 billion points

    Tales of the Arabian Nights (Williams 1988)Oct 23, 2019
  • Tournament game in INDISC 2019 women's playoffs finals; features map shots, gray mode on lower playfield, diamond collection, multiball modes, and complex rule set; noted as having tight tilt

    INDISC 2019 - Women's Playoffs - FinalsApr 17, 2020
  • Tournament game featuring grey gorilla and map strategies; played in second round

    INDISC 2023 - The Open IFPA World Championship - Second RoundDec 13, 2023
  • Wide-body machine with gorilla topper; acquired by Rob Noel via Corey Cook from Allentown; heavily weighted; Rob expresses significant satisfaction with this acquisition; represents collector pride.

    Rapid Fire tour of this Amazing Game Room and Frontier is headed to Australia!Jul 22, 2025
  • Pinball game designed by Jon Norris with Congo film IP; Sharpe credits himself with pushing the license choice based on Simeons character enthusiasm

    Roger SharpeJun 3, 2018
  • Pinball machine being tutorialized; featured as tournament game at IFPA Women's Championships

    Congo Pinball Tutorial - Danni TeachesSep 23, 2024
  • Classic pinball table; demonstrated in VRVP with rendering issues (ball appears white/bright)

    Highlight: Virtual Reality Pinball!Jun 1, 2019
  • Pinball machine mentioned as having received ROM firmware upgrade

    S285: Corvette (Bally)May 26, 2020
  • Pinball machine available at Dutch Pinball Open main tournament finals; host noted unfamiliarity with rules

    Dutch Pinball Open tournament finals. Youth and Main.Nov 16, 2018
  • Machine that wouldn't start games due to LED socket leaning into switch line

    Tips and Tricks with Frank LindenmuthFeb 7, 2025
  • Loner pinball machine mentioned by Colin Alsheimer

    Colin Alsheimer- Pinball Expo 2023 - Pinball NewsOct 21, 2023
  • Secondary example game mentioned for Diamond Hunt multiball and Volcano Multiball interaction

    #6 - Instantly Improve Your Game With "Roadmapping"Aug 27, 2020
  • Classic game; skill shot mechanic comparison for Raza prototype

    #4 - Deeproot RAZA ThoughtsAug 27, 2020
  • Pinball machine featuring map/gray/loop combo shots and volcano multiball; host discusses grind gameplay strategies

    Upcoming Events Discussion and League Game Review (Ep. 49)Apr 7, 2021
  • Pinball machine on which Cary Hardy won gold medal with score of 812,968,160 points; features modified display as a challenge game

    My First Pinball Olympics! It was AWESOME!Oct 26, 2023
  • Ranked 51st in Pinside; selected by Tony; praised for enjoyable callouts and fun shots despite poor source material

    Episode 114 - BuildABankMay 4, 2020
  • Game Zach recently acquired via trade from player in India; Zach still searching for minty condition version

    Flip N Out with Friends: James Bond 60th, INDISC, Pinball Rumors & The Pinball Awards GiveawaysJan 20, 2023
  • Pinball machine installed at BrewDog Shepherd's Bush during article visit, replacing previous machine

    BREWDOG SHEPHERD’S BUSHAug 3, 2016
  • Historical pinball example of 'great pin, bad movie' scenario

    Jaws, Godfather, Wednesday Addams, Pink Floyd & Other Interesting Live Pinball Machine TrademarksFeb 7, 2023
  • Williams pinball machine (1995); played extensively at Sunshine; author considers it underrated

    PICTURES OF BROOKLYN'S ORIGINAL PINBALL SPEAKEASY... SUNSHINE LAUNDROMATFeb 14, 2022
  • Bally/Williams licensed pinball machine; movie rated as average, pinball as decent/heaps better

    Fadgeting with your Dinner SausageFeb 19, 2017
  • Williams classic pinball machine; cited as thematic/atmospheric influence for King Kong design; referenced for Skill Fire mode comparison

    The 8th Wonder of the World: Stern King Kong TutorialMay 29, 2025
  • Classic pinball machine; featured in Women's World Championship finals where Dani achieved $1.5 billion score

    Danni Peck - IFPA Womens World Champion - Episode 26May 3, 2024
  • Last pinball game Bill worked on at Williams; lead programmer role; originally featured two-level playfield and motorized gorilla before design cut; ~2,129 units built, ~1,500 sold; commercial failure

    Fireside Chat with Bill GruppFeb 7, 2025
  • Pinball machine with start button failure caused by LED socket leaning onto adjacent switch; illustrates non-obvious mechanical interactions.

    Tips and Tricks with Frank LindenmuthFeb 7, 2025
  • Pinball machine Erin desires for her collection; features ape/monkey mechanism; available at Game Preserve but wants well-lit version

    Erin Winick Anthony from Learning to Flip - Episode 5Nov 28, 2023
  • First WPC-95 game (1995); 2,129 units sold; designed by John Trudeau; featured bidirectional ball popper and Stan Winston gorilla sculpture; original bi-level playfield scrapped for cost

    Pinball Is Dying – Part 2: Bally/WilliamsJan 5, 2022
  • Cabinet housing the Archer whitewood during development

    Episode 59: Keith Elwin, new guy at SternJul 22, 2017
  • 1995 Williams game on which Bill Grupp was last official lead programmer before Elton John (27-year gap)

    EP 14 - Jack Guarnieri, Bill Grupp, and Steve RitchieMay 13, 2024
  • Partially stripped game that Keith's friend gave him; used as base platform for Archer homebrew with completely new playfield design

    Ep 12: Keith Elwin!Jul 1, 2019
  • Bally Williams; $5,000 five years ago to $6,500 now; zero percent YoY change, +30% five-year

    Is The Pinball Market Crashing? | TMPM Feb 2025Jan 25, 2025
  • Classic pinball game referenced as primary design influence for Kong. Featured Easter eggs and skill shot modes. Dead Eye mode in Kong described as 'tribute to Skillfire in Congo.'

    Ep 164: Stern's King Kong Pinball with Keith ElwinApr 16, 2025
  • Williams 1988 pinball machine identified as the game played during streamed gameplay

    Spooky Pinball Evil Dead Launch Party: Semis Game 3 of 3. Streamed from The Flipper Room.Sep 22, 2025
  • #5 ranked 1995 machine by Williams; jungle/gorilla-themed; praised for exceeding source film quality; influenced King Kong (2025)

    Every Pinball Machine of 1995, RankedOct 3, 2025
  • John Trudeau game; late addition to Rhine/Morris workload during crunch; limited reference material from movie company; original playfield rejected; Rhine least satisfied with this work

    TOPCast 28: Adam RhineApr 18, 2007
  • Bally 1995 John Trudeau design; 2,129 units; ranked #81 all-time; features moving tiger saw mod, trunk feature, and lower playfield

    Updated Tour of My Pinball Collection / Game Room. November 2025.Nov 11, 2025
  • Previously located in space where Cybernaut was moved to in main room

    Part 7: 1985 Bally Cybernaut Pinball Project. Final touches!Dec 12, 2025
  • Referenced as Keith Elwin design with premium skill shot features; contrasted against Rob Zombie's skill shot randomness

    Rob Zombie Pinball Tutorial - Danni TeachesNov 28, 2025
  • 1995 Williams pinball game cited as example of extensive MDF use in cabinet construction

    Stern Pinball’s George Gomez Addresses Criticism of New Pinball Cabinets; Godzilla Poised to Become the Best-Selling Pin of All-Time; Next Stern Title?Dec 10, 2025
  • Vintage pinball; has translit signed by John Trudeau; Ryan had tattoo of it removed

    Episode 126 – Getting Dialed InDec 25, 2023
  • Machine in Bank 15 lineup

    Episode 105 – Planes, Cows and Pinball MachinesAug 19, 2019