Data East Star Wars is a classic pinball machine released in 1992, designed by John Borg and featuring iconic Star Wars imagery including the Death Star toy and R2-D2 ramp mechanics. With 10,400 units sold across a single model variant, it became a significant title in pinball history and served as inspiration for later Stern Star Wars designs. The game is remembered for its clear player action and distinctive mechanics like the VUK/swirly wireform return, and has remained a sought-after vintage machine among collectors and enthusiasts.
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Data East Star Wars was released in the early 1990s
Playfield jacks work on this version of Data East Star Wars
Data East Star Wars is ranked #104 on Pinside's top 100 pinball games list
The game is naturally very dark and difficult to photograph/stream
Vintage pinball machine from Data East; secondary market prices have increased significantly; currently sought by California collector mentioned in episode
Classic pinball machine with high secondary market pricing in New Zealand (~$14K minimum)
1992 Data East pinball machine; second machine Joe Abate owned, still owns it with custom cruiseman playfield swap, never placed on location
Early 1990s pinball game Dave repaired; had flipper hold issues traced to unplugged connector under playfield
David Van Ness's first pinball experience as child; Death Star opening mechanic was formative moment in his appreciation for pinball
1992 pinball machine by Data East, ranked #104 on Pinside, features Death Star lock toy and R2-D2/C-3PO targets
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Color DMD upgrades make a significant visual improvement to the game
Chat provides essential guidance to understand the game's rule progression
The video mode with Yub Nub singing was intentionally minimal as code commentary
The game features non-obvious shot sequences that are not intuitive without external help
Classic pinball machine from 1992 being acquired and restored by Cary Hardy; features Death Star toy and playfield jacks
Childhood pinball machine purchased by young David Furness at age 12; first game that emotionally connected him to pinball through Death Star shot experience
Early 1990s Star Wars pinball machine; features poor C-3PO voice impression callout; first machine in Star Wars pinball history discussed
1992 pinball machine at Pop's SeaBar
1987 pinball machine; owned by Patrick McKinnon; early personal pinball machine in collection
John Borg-designed pinball game; noted as well-loved by community in comparison discussion
Pinball machine originally planned as Jurassic Park, redesigned to Star Wars; features Borg's whiffle ball R2-D2 mechanism
1991 pinball game; Bruce considers it best Star Wars pinball implementation; featured moving Death Star and R2D2 elements; mechanical solutions praised vs. modern alternatives
Pinball machine in Matthew's collection; LED-modified; Matthew's favorite; features C-3PO callout ('Worst C-3PO ever')
1992 game with 10,400 units sold; recently surpassed by Godzilla in total sales; single-model variant.
1992 Borg-designed game referenced for VUK/swirly wireform return mechanic echoed in Fall of the Empire
Original vintage title; praised for clarity of player action despite being 'shitty' production value
Classic pinball title; streamed by Jack Danger with John Borg; potentially inspiring design for Stern Star Wars
Removed from Barcade St. Mark's and replaced with Gottlieb Freddy: A Nightmare on Elm Street
Josh's first machine purchase (~2011-2012); caused him to overcome board-level repair intimidation; later put on route; eventually pulled home when he bought Deadpool
Vintage pinball game that inspired David Van Ness's entry into pinball collecting as teenager in Australia, featured Death Star toy and R2-D2
1992 pinball machine referenced as superior in design; Don prefers throne room/Palpatine imagery and R2-D2 ramp mechanics vs current Stern version
Classic pinball title designed by Steve Ritchie; 800 LE units produced; used as comparison point for new game