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Hobbit

gameactive42 mentionsFirst seen Aug 18, 2016Last seen Feb 18, 2026

Profile

Hobbit is a pinball machine manufactured by Jersey Jack Pinball based on the Hobbit intellectual property. Released in the mid-2010s as a licensed game, it features a journey-style rule set with substantial mechanical elements and deep rule implementation. The game experienced initial quality control issues including playfield defects and flipper problems, though subsequent code updates and replacements improved performance. It became a successful title for JJP, serving as a reference point for the company's design trajectory alongside Pirates of the Caribbean.

Aliases

No aliases

Relationships

  • manufacturesJersey Jack PinballJersey Jack Pinball manufactured the Hobbit pinball machinemedium
  • works_atJoe KatzJoe Katz served as programmer on Hobbit for Jersey Jack Pinballmedium
  • works_atEric MeunierEric Meunier performed electrical engineering and cleanup work on Hobbit at Jersey Jack Pinballmedium
  • affiliated_withJack GuarnieriJack Guarnieri at Jersey Jack Pinball discussed Hobbit development and player feedbackmedium
  • affiliated_withPirates of the Caribbean

Facts

  • achievementOne of 4 Jersey Jack Pinball releases since 2013highfrom 2019-03-25
  • achievementTop seller alongside Wizard of Oz in distributor commentsmediumfrom 2019-03-25
  • achievementReceived positive player feedback at Vancouver Flipouthighfrom 2017-10-06
  • affiliationJersey Jack Pinball gamehigh
  • attributeHas center ramp left/right diverter functionalitymedium
  • attributeFrom 1990s pinball eramediumfrom 1990 until 1999

Claims (6)

  • factualhigh

    Hobbit was released in 2014

    Source: Joel🔴LIVE - The Hobbit by Jersey Jack Pinball!
  • factualhigh

    Hobbit features 32 distinct modes

    Source: Joel🔴LIVE - The Hobbit by Jersey Jack Pinball!
  • factualhigh

    Hobbit has a third flipper that is rarely used

    Source: Joel🔴LIVE - The Hobbit by Jersey Jack Pinball!
  • factualhigh

    Hobbit's audio was designed by David Deal

    Source: Joel🔴LIVE - The Hobbit by Jersey Jack Pinball!

Recent Mentions (42)

  • Jersey Jack Pinball game; featured at Automate It arcade open house; normal flippers with two inlanes per side

    Episode 23 – On The MendDec 15, 2016
  • Jersey Jack game owned by Darrell, praised for quality and dragon feature, noted for long play times

    The Drew and Ian Show! Episode 1 We party with Dori Ann, Dave Brennan and Darrell Van LanduytDec 21, 2023
  • Jersey Jack Pinball game; discussed as deep, complex game with long ball times; wide-body layout that can play 'floaty'

    Episode 1 (Pilot)Jul 2, 2018
  • Jersey Jack Pinball machine owned by Bill Webb with recent code updates; valued around $6,000 range; experienced motor issue with Smog effect

    Episode 20 - Monkey See, Monkey DoOct 30, 2018
  • Jersey Jack Pinball wide-body game; design reference for Labyrinth's playfield density and layout

    DPP #76 "Expo hype! Winning passphrase!"Oct 18, 2023
  • Jersey Jack machine with unique right upper flipper; complex ruleset designed by Keith Johnson; on location in Australia

    Episode 162 – Herd Mentality

Contradictions

  • Existing: Hobbit is a Jersey Jack Pinball licensed game released in the mid-2010svsConflicting: Mention 5 describes Hobbit as a '1990s pinball game' in discussion of vintage construction methods
    Resolved
    kept_existing · Mar 2, 2026

Related Glossary Terms

No linked glossary terms

Hobbit is positioned as comparable quality to Pirates of the Caribbean in JJP's design trajectory; some Pirates cancellations were converted to Hobbit orders
medium
attribute
Heavy game requiring multiple people for setup
medium
  • attributeLicensed game based on movie propertyhigh
  • attributeExample of licensing misstep due to movie quality issuesmedium
  • attributeAssociated with Guillermo del Toro incidentlow
  • factualhigh

    Hobbit is a wide-body game

    Source: Joel🔴LIVE - The Hobbit by Jersey Jack Pinball!
  • factualhigh

    Hobbit can be played at 6.2-6.9 degrees pitch depending on front/middle/back measurement

    Source: Joel🔴LIVE - The Hobbit by Jersey Jack Pinball!
  • Mar 9, 2021
  • Jersey Jack title; received code update adding 'There and Back Again' mode

    episode 14. at the table or what will we talk about? (1)Jul 22, 2018
  • Jersey Jack Pinball game; standard edition noted as rare

    SDTM: THIS OR THAT? Who Wore It Best? Picking Between Pro, Prem, LE, CE Pinball Trim LevelsJul 3, 2021
  • Referenced as comparison for ruleset complexity; hosts claim it is easier to understand than Willy Wonka

    Willy Wonka Pinball Machine Review (Jersey Jack Pinball, 2019)Jan 6, 2021
  • Jersey Jack Pinball game that Keith Johnson and others worked on while software department was based in Streamwood, Illinois garage

    Pat Lawlor - Pinball Expo 2018 - Pinball NewsOct 21, 2018
  • JJP licensed game; ~2,000 units produced; based on Tolkien IP; in stock and available for distribution

    Jersey Jack Pinball at Vancouver Flipout Pinball Expo 2018Sep 10, 2018
  • Widebody example cited as feeling slower due to wide-open playfield design

    Episode 46 - Pinball Expo & Video Games GaloreOct 23, 2017
  • Jersey Jack Pinball launch party discussed; Tony made it to round 5, Dennis to round 6 in three-strike format with 24 players

    Episode 15 - Don Discusses Divergent DistractionsAug 18, 2016
  • Jersey Jack Pinball pre-order funded title; significantly delayed (over 1 year from announcement); production models expected March 2016 at Texas Pinball Festival.

    Episode 3 – Preorders, Firewatch, Titanfall 2, & LegendaryAug 18, 2016
  • Pinball game previously streamed; Joel owned it for over a year; came in on trade the week before James Bond stream

    🔴LIVE - James Bond 007 Limited Edition by Stern Pinball!Dec 11, 2025
  • Jersey Jack Pinball game released 2014, wide-body, journey-based rule set, 32 modes, five quadrants (beast multiball, lock shots/dragging multiball, spinner orbits, dwarves collection, Smaug multiball), three mini wizard modes, features third flipper

    🔴LIVE - The Hobbit by Jersey Jack Pinball!Dec 4, 2025
  • Referenced as quintessential long-playing game with theatrical experience; requires 45+ minute commitment

    EP 4 - Controversial Pinball OpinionsJul 17, 2025
  • Pinball machine praised for perfect theme implementation and overall package quality

    Pinball Cribs: Episode 2Oct 11, 2019
  • Game Joel traded TNA for; Joel later regretted trade due to preferring group play experience

    Triple Drain Pinball Podcast Ep 22: Travis Is Seeing Things He Shouldn'tSep 5, 2022
  • Jersey Jack Pinball game with acknowledged flipper problems; hosts note it would improve significantly if flipper software issues were fixed via backport update

    Episode 172 – The BZR ShowAug 21, 2021
  • Pinball machine used in Pinburgh tournament; recent code update added colored action button feature

    Episode 143: Josh Sharpe ready for PinburghJul 23, 2018
  • Machine owned by Martin; previously had defective playfield that was replaced; replacement playfield was brand new and superior quality

    Episode 108 – LIONMAN!!Sep 9, 2019
  • Pinball machine owned by Tom; mentioned as a game he enjoys keeping for deep play

    Triple Drain Pinball Podcast Ep 17: Getting Comfy Now That Tom Is BackMay 10, 2022
  • JJP game with good implementation but criticized as bad game; playfield quality issues noted

    Episode 207 – Leave The Lights OnMay 30, 2023
  • Jersey Jack Pinball game at version 3.0; has features requiring tweaking in future updates

    Pinball Industry News: November 2018 Re-capDec 2, 2018
  • JJP licensed game; experienced backlash requiring redesign; took longer than projected; some Pirates cancellations converted to Hobbit orders

    Bonus Podcast: Flip Expo 2018 - Jack Guarnieri - Olympic GoblinApr 17, 2018
  • Jersey Jack Pinball game; based on Hobbit IP; journey-style game; deep rule set; mentioned as successful title with strong appreciation.

    Episode 178: Joe Katz, Jersey Jack Pinball programmerFeb 14, 2019
  • Vintage/classic game owned by Alex; confirmed at 350 pounds; used as transportation logistics case study

    Episode 64 - Pinball Buyer's GuideJan 6, 2025
  • Pinball machine that Alex previously owned; features pre-Bluetooth design; mentioned as game with notable sound package that benefits from quiet play environment

    Episode 23 - How to Talk to an OperatorMar 25, 2024
  • JJP game; Jack mentions receiving positive player feedback at Vancouver Flipout

    Ep. 77. Jersey Jack Guarnieri with JJP newsOct 6, 2017
  • Jersey Jack Pinball game they streamed and gave away playfield for as prize

    Episode 346: Stephanie Traub & Jose ChongJul 4, 2022
  • Jersey Jack Pinball game for which Eric performed electrical engineering work

    Five Minutes to Tilt #3 – Eric Meunier on Secrecy, Family & the Harry Potter CodenameFeb 18, 2026
  • Jersey Jack Pinball title; positioned as comparable quality to Pirates of the Caribbean; reference point for JJP's historical game design trajectory.

    Harry Potter day 1 thoughtsJun 22, 2025
  • JJP release referenced as cautionary tale of premium initial pricing that depreciated to $6,000 within couple years after COVID market normalization

    Ep 87: Escape from TS4Jun 29, 2022
  • Jersey Jack licensed game; one of 4 releases since 2013; noted as top seller alongside Wizard of Oz in distributor comments

    Episode 6: TPF and Twipys!Mar 25, 2019
  • Streamer helped friend set up; heavy game requiring multiple people; claimed to cause back injury

    Avatar CE by Jersey Jack Pinball: Unboxed and uncensored. Streamed from Raccoon City Pinball.Aug 31, 2025
  • 1990s pinball game; example Don and Luke discussed regarding vintage construction methods and design philosophy

    Bonus Show #224Jan 8, 2026
  • Joe's first new-in-box purchase; mentioned to establish he is not biased toward Stern

    Episode 95 – Multiple JackpotsJun 10, 2019
  • Jersey Jack Pinball game; Eric worked on cleanup; one of his office games

    Episode 28 – Eric Meunier from Jersey Jack PinballJan 29, 2018
  • Referenced for center ramp left/right diverter functionality comparison

    Episode 110 – Bustin’ Makes Me Feel GoodSep 23, 2019
  • Jersey Jack title; discussed as example of licensing misstep (movie quality issues); reference to Guillermo del Toro incident

    Saturday Morning Spectacular Take 2Jun 21, 2025
  • Game referenced as having substantial dramatic mechanical elements

    JJP Harry Potter Live Reaction!Jun 5, 2025