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Cybernaut

gameactive7 mentionsFirst seen Aug 4, 2025Last seen Dec 13, 2025

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Cybernaut is a sci-fi themed pinball machine manufactured by Bally Midway in 1985, featuring a cybernetic ranger fighting an ion generator. Approximately 900 units were produced, making it a relatively common machine from that era. The game incorporates distinctive mechanics including an ion generator wizard mode, guardian drop targets, gate mechanics, and BLAST letter collection across upper and lower flippers. The machine weighs 235 lbs and uses a -35 board set, and has gained recent attention through a multi-part restoration video series documenting its complete rebuild.

Aliases

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Relationships

  • affiliated_withFireball ClassicFireball Classic shares the same end-of-game sound design as the Cybernaut pinball machinemedium

Facts

No facts recorded

Claims (33)

  • factualhigh

    Cybernaut was produced by Bally in 1985 with approximately 900 units

    Source: Host1985 Bally Cybernaut Pinball Project Gameplay / Tutorial
  • opinionhigh

    The machine's playfield design parallels Xenon with similar rollover button layout and color palette

    Source: Host1985 Bally Cybernaut Pinball Project Gameplay / Tutorial
  • factualhigh

    Bonus multipliers in Cybernaut reach a maximum of 4x

    Source: Host1985 Bally Cybernaut Pinball Project Gameplay / Tutorial
  • factualmedium

    Maximum bonus value consists of 200, 100, 50, and 45 point components (total approximately 295)

Recent Mentions (7)

  • 1985 Bally pinball machine being restored; theme involves cybernetic ranger fighting ion generator

    Part 3: 1985 Bally Cybernaut Pinball Project. Playfield shop job!Nov 26, 2025
  • 1985 Bally pinball machine (900 produced); subject of multi-part restoration series

    Part 6: 1985 Bally Cybernaut Pinball Project is finished! Gameplay time!Dec 5, 2025
  • 1985 Bally pinball machine, 235 lbs, 900 units produced, uses -35 board set

    Part 1: 1985 Bally Cybernaut Pinball Project. Set up and inspection!Nov 21, 2025
  • 1985 Bally pinball machine subject of multi-episode restoration series; featuring upper and lower flippers, ion generator objectives

    Part 2: 1985 Bally Cybernaut Pinball Project. Dealing with flipper wiring!Nov 22, 2025
  • 1985 Bally pinball machine being restored across multiple episodes; subject of this video series

    Part 4: 1985 Bally Cybernaut Pinball Project. LED time!Dec 1, 2025
  • 1985 Bally pinball machine with approximately 900 units produced; features ion generator wizard mode, guardian drop targets, gate mechanics, and BLAST letter collection

    1985 Bally Cybernaut Pinball Project Gameplay / Tutorial

Contradictions

No contradictions detected

Related Glossary Terms

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Source: Host
1985 Bally Cybernaut Pinball Project Gameplay / Tutorial
  • factualhigh

    The game has a hidden pop bumper that doesn't come into play frequently

    Source: Host1985 Bally Cybernaut Pinball Project Gameplay / Tutorial
  • opinionhigh

    Cybernaut features a superior sound package that contributes significantly to the play experience

    Source: Host1985 Bally Cybernaut Pinball Project Gameplay / Tutorial
  • factualhigh

    The original flippers on this Cybernaut machine are linear and require no modification

    Source: Host1985 Bally Cybernaut Pinball Project Gameplay / Tutorial
  • factualmedium

    Only 900 Cybernaut machines were manufactured

    Source: Mike DusPart 6: 1985 Bally Cybernaut Pinball Project is finished! Gameplay time!
  • factualhigh

    The NV RAM replacement solved the corrupted data issue in Cybernaut

    Source: Mike DusPart 6: 1985 Bally Cybernaut Pinball Project is finished! Gameplay time!
  • opinionhigh

    Cybernaut would be an excellent tournament game due to risk-reward mechanics

    Source: Mike DusPart 6: 1985 Bally Cybernaut Pinball Project is finished! Gameplay time!
  • opinionhigh

    Cybernaut has never been observed in widespread tournament play by the host

    Source: Mike DusPart 6: 1985 Bally Cybernaut Pinball Project is finished! Gameplay time!
  • factualhigh

    The ball hop issue on right flipper was corrected by adjusting lane guide position

    Source: Mike DusPart 6: 1985 Bally Cybernaut Pinball Project is finished! Gameplay time!
  • factualhigh

    The drop targets in Cybernaut were upgraded to Flash Gordon-style targets that are more visually appropriate as 'guardians'

    Source: Mike Dus / Beefcake 666Part 4: 1985 Bally Cybernaut Pinball Project. LED time!
  • factualhigh

    Resistor R5 was reading 50 ohms instead of the expected 100 ohms specification

    Source: Mike DusPart 4: 1985 Bally Cybernaut Pinball Project. LED time!
  • factualhigh

    Replacing resistors R5 and R7 fixed the faulty display digit issue

    Source: Mike DusPart 4: 1985 Bally Cybernaut Pinball Project. LED time!
  • opinionhigh

    Natural white LEDs provide brighter illumination and better color rendering than original red incandescent bulbs in the backbox

    Source: Mike DusPart 4: 1985 Bally Cybernaut Pinball Project. LED time!
  • factualmedium

    The machine preserves settings despite having no batteries, indicating NVRAM presence

    Source: Mike DusPart 4: 1985 Bally Cybernaut Pinball Project. LED time!
  • factualhigh

    Some playfield inserts remain non-functional after LED installation due to connector or lamp driver issues

    Source: Mike DusPart 4: 1985 Bally Cybernaut Pinball Project. LED time!
  • factualhigh

    LED conversion requires different socket types and has accessibility challenges depending on playfield layout

    Source: Mike DusPart 4: 1985 Bally Cybernaut Pinball Project. LED time!
  • factualhigh

    Two flipper bracket mounting screws were missing completely with stripped holes

    Source: Mike DussPart 2: 1985 Bally Cybernaut Pinball Project. Dealing with flipper wiring!
  • factualhigh

    The upper flipper issue was caused by a disconnected wire from the secondary switch stack

    Source: Mike DussPart 2: 1985 Bally Cybernaut Pinball Project. Dealing with flipper wiring!
  • factualhigh

    Flipper coil power windings measured 3.8 ohms on one coil and 3.6 ohms on another, making replacement unnecessary

    Source: Mike DussPart 2: 1985 Bally Cybernaut Pinball Project. Dealing with flipper wiring!
  • factualhigh

    End-of-stroke switch solder joints were weak enough to break when gently touched

    Source: Mike DussPart 2: 1985 Bally Cybernaut Pinball Project. Dealing with flipper wiring!
  • observationmedium

    The machine's ramp has vinyl flooring rather than stainless steel, which is unusual for pinball ramps

    Source: Mike DussPart 2: 1985 Bally Cybernaut Pinball Project. Dealing with flipper wiring!
  • predictionmedium

    One of the upper flipper target switches has a capacitor issue preventing registration

    Source: Mike DussPart 2: 1985 Bally Cybernaut Pinball Project. Dealing with flipper wiring!
  • observationmedium

    A player can drain a ball in Cybernaut without scoring points, retaining the ball

    Source: Mike DussPart 2: 1985 Bally Cybernaut Pinball Project. Dealing with flipper wiring!
  • factualhigh

    The machine's incandescent lighting is very dim when camera light is not present

    Source: Mike DussPart 2: 1985 Bally Cybernaut Pinball Project. Dealing with flipper wiring!
  • factualhigh

    Cybernaut was manufactured in 1985 by Bally with only 900 units produced

    Source: Game flyer read by Mike DusPart 1: 1985 Bally Cybernaut Pinball Project. Set up and inspection!
  • factualhigh

    The Cybernaut uses Bally's -35 board set, not the newer 682/683 systems

    Source: Mike Dus confirmed via photos before acquisitionPart 1: 1985 Bally Cybernaut Pinball Project. Set up and inspection!
  • factualhigh

    The machine's primary issue was blown fuses that prevented startup

    Source: Mike Dus diagnostic testingPart 1: 1985 Bally Cybernaut Pinball Project. Set up and inspection!
  • factualhigh

    A loose soundboard connection prevented audio output from functioning

    Source: Mike Dus during troubleshootingPart 1: 1985 Bally Cybernaut Pinball Project. Set up and inspection!
  • factualhigh

    The Cybernaut has upper flipper action issues that need to be addressed

    Source: Mike Dus during gameplay testingPart 1: 1985 Bally Cybernaut Pinball Project. Set up and inspection!
  • factualmedium

    The machine exhibits strange ball count behavior (5 balls instead of expected 3)

    Source: Mike Dus observation during gameplayPart 1: 1985 Bally Cybernaut Pinball Project. Set up and inspection!
  • Dec 13, 2025
  • Bally Midway 1985 sci-fi themed game; nominee for Most Unnecessarily Horny Game category

    Episode 94 - Pinball Hindsight Awards 1985Aug 4, 2025