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Banzai Run

gameactive42 mentionsFirst seen Jan 16, 2010Last seen Apr 9, 2026

Profile

Banzai Run is a game mentioned in 2 episode(s).

Aliases

No aliases

Relationships

  • designedPat LawlorDesigner of Banzai Run pinball machinemedium

Facts

No facts recorded

Claims (3)

  • factualhigh

    Banzai Run sold only 1,750 units despite its historical importance in launching Pat Lawlor's design career.

    Source: AlanEpisode 53 - Pinball Metamorphosis: The System 11 Era Pt.1
  • factualhigh

    Banzai Run is a 1988 Williams pinball machine

    Source: Knapp ArcadeA Video History of the Amazing 1988 Williams Banzai Run Pinball Machine
  • opinionmedium

    Banzai Run is one of the coolest, most unique pinball machines ever produced

    Source: Knapp ArcadeA Video History of the Amazing 1988 Williams Banzai Run Pinball Machine

Recent Mentions (42)

  • Pinball game co-designed by Larry DeMar and Pat Lawlor

    Hall of Fame Spotlight: Larry DeMarApr 9, 2026
  • Classic pinball machine currently out of service at The Flipper Room

    The Flipper Room Walkthrough before Winchester Mystery House Launch Party 2026.Mar 30, 2026
  • Classic pinball machine Jeff played in tournament at Banzai 2 in 2015

    Pinball Cribs - Welcome to the Dirty Pool StudioMar 14, 2026
  • Classic pinball machine that was in Don's former basement collection in the southern Wisconsin property (now gone)

    Don's Pinball Podcast Sunday Livestream 10/5/25Oct 6, 2025
  • Williams 1988 pinball machine; music featured in metal rendition at MAGFest 2026

    American Pinball's New Logo; Stern Pinball's Pokemon Now On Location + Official Gameplay Video; New Game Reveals at TPF?Mar 6, 2026
  • First game where Pat Lawlor used his signature five-lane bottom design

    Episode 47 - Making of Willy Wonka PinballApr 12, 2019

Contradictions

No contradictions detected

Related Glossary Terms

No linked glossary terms

Pinball machine designed by Pat Lawlor at Williams (1988); first commercial pinball game; based on Wrecking Ball prototype concept

TOPCast 64: Pat LawlorJan 16, 2010
  • Steep, difficult pinball machine; appeared in tournament round 7 with challenging kickback feed

    Episode 13 - Pinburgh Part 2Aug 18, 2019
  • Pinball game mentioned in casual discussion as 'wacky'

    Whirlwind (06/13/17)Jun 15, 2017
  • May 1988 System 11 game (originally titled Wrecking Ball); Pat Lawlor's prototype built in garage that earned him a job at Williams; sold only 1,750 units despite historic significance.

    Episode 53 - Pinball Metamorphosis: The System 11 Era Pt.1Oct 21, 2024
  • Williams game whose name Ritchie had planned to use; Larry DeMar told him Williams was 'stealing' the name

    Steve Ritchie, King of Flow, visits the Dutch Pinball MuseumNov 21, 2025
  • Mentioned in context of tournament results and point differentials

    Tucson Pinball Podcast – Episode 72 – You Have Much To Learn GrasshopperMar 9, 2024
  • Williams 1988 pinball machine, race-themed game with four competitor targets

    Burning out a Banzai Run Pop Bumper (Williams 1988)Jan 25, 2021
  • Pinball sold for $17,000 at auction; typically $6,000-$7,000; not a nostalgia, movie, or character theme—driven by collector demand rather than IP

    Episode 104 Drew needs a DoctorSep 14, 2021
  • Early 1990s Williams pinball machine; Walt references as example of classic game without modern assists

    Walt walks and talks new XMen and John Wick code..is @sternpinballinc babying our games? #pinballJul 4, 2025
  • 1988 Williams pinball machine with motorcycle racing theme, featuring Kevin Hill wizard mode, racer collection, and back playfield

    Banzai Run (Williams 1988)Oct 20, 2019
  • Classic pinball machine referenced as comparison point for Godzilla Premium Edition's two-flipper upper playfield design

    Stream 501: Godzilla (Stern) LENov 29, 2021
  • Original-theme pinball machine; example of unique game that did not require licensed IP

    Episode 63 – Roger Sharpe tried to save Pinball twiceOct 8, 2018
  • Game where 10-year-old Escher Lefkoff defeated Jack Danger in Papa C C Division finals

    DAY 3 : DARK KNIGHT BATTLE!Oct 30, 2014
  • Pinball machine; host criticizes as 'dumpster' game during stream conversation

    World Cup Soccer '94 (Bally 1994) 08/11/15Aug 24, 2015
  • Mentioned in chat discussion as having significant upper playfield

    Day 1 WRESTLEMANIA!! Donated by Stern Pinball!!! PT1Mar 3, 2015
  • Recent playfield reproduction by CPR with new unbreakable plastic components; complete bundle (playfields, plastics, backglass) offered at $1,400

    Mirco Steffen - Pinball Expo 2018 - Pinball NewsOct 23, 2018
  • Early-90s/late-80s game on Matt's want-to-play list; Page 2/Page 3 PinSide tier games

    BONUS X!! 4/20 Arcade Trip, Jaws, Bond, Reggae!May 9, 2024
  • Pat Lawler-designed Williams game; features vertical playfield in back glass; on Colligan's wish list

    The Pinball Tapes Ep 6: WhirlwindNov 25, 2022
  • Williams pinball machine from 1988; played by authors during venue visit

    BUTTON MASHMar 20, 2019
  • 1988 Williams pinball machine; subject of Carrington's latest video in his history series

    A Video History of the Amazing 1988 Williams Banzai Run Pinball MachineNov 18, 2022
  • Williams 1988 pinball machine; featured in Penn Skate collection

    PICTURES AND VIDEO OF THE AMAZING PENN SKATE ARCADEFeb 13, 2022
  • Williams 1988 pinball machine; newest game on Penn Skate floor at time of visit

    ARCADE REPORT: Penn Skate - Allentown, PA (August 2021)Aug 30, 2021
  • Uncommon Williams machine with vertical playfield in head; visitor favorite

    ARCADE REPORT: Roanoke Pinball Museum - Roanoke, VA (July 2021)Aug 21, 2021
  • Pinball machine played at Silverball Museum

    Silverball Museum - Asbury Park, NJ (April 2019)Apr 1, 2019
  • Williams pinball classic at Button Mash, listed as one of reviewer's family favorites

    2019 SUMMER ARCADE TOUR STOP 10: Button Mash - Los Angeles, California (July 2019)Jul 1, 2019
  • Pinball Arcade table; Farsight Matt showcased before/after cleanup work demonstrating digitization quality improvements

    Dino-mite from Zen StudiosFeb 11, 2018
  • Virtual pinball title in development with expected release around March 7-9; experiencing Android optimization and camera angle issues in beta

    Dude on a Stick AnnihilationMar 6, 2018
  • Classic Pat Lawlor-designed pinball machine; most recent Farsight digital release; noted for difficult upper playfield mechanics; hosts praise accuracy of digital version

    Farsight Newsletter 72Mar 11, 2018
  • Fun wild machine at Lumberjack Dave's; features top lane alignment and race-around mechanic

    Pinball Junk Drawer Episode 85 - New Games and Books and Lumberjack Awesomeness!Nov 13, 2025
  • Early Lawlor pinball design (originally titled Wrecking Ball); conceptualized with vertical playfield in backglass; result of Lawlor's pitch to Larry DeMar

    Lawlor – Pinball's Rollercoaster TycoonDec 27, 2020
  • Pinball machine owned by Antoinette; cited as example of standalone/unique game design; being received with custom hardware

    Episode 183: Antoinette JohnsonMar 8, 2019
  • Vintage pinball game with upper flipper mechanics played in Pinberg

    Episode 150: Cayle George. Exploits!Aug 28, 2018
  • May 1988 Williams System 11B; 1,751 units sold; motocross theme; Lawlor's first released Williams game; initially perceived as novelty internally; experimental Diamond Plate clear coating

    Pat Lawlor Part 2 – Williams Wreck'n BallApr 1, 2021
  • Early Pat Lawlor design that pioneered mechanical toy integration; cited as foundational to 90s mech-heavy design

    Episode 49 - The 90s Pinball Renaissance Pt.1 w/ Roger SharpeSep 23, 2024
  • Pat Lawler's first game (1988); featured vertical upper playfield; showstopper in lineups; referenced as prototype for NASCAR's fast, accessible design philosophy

    Episode 101 - Best Game Ever: NASCARSep 22, 2025
  • Williams table from same final Pinball Arcade season as Swords of Fury, also overshadowed by license loss

    Swords, Monsters, and Cab ModeMay 29, 2022