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Fishtails

gameactive49 mentionsFirst seen Mar 9, 2007Last seen Mar 18, 2026

Profile

Fishtails is a classic Williams pinball machine known for its thematic boat ramp sequences and complex multiball mechanics. Released as a Williams title, it became a tournament staple and is notable for its innovative jackpot modes and integration of audio elements (including Orange Blossom Special references). The game has maintained relevance across both physical and digital pinball communities, with notable ownership by industry figures and inclusion in virtual platforms.

Aliases

No aliases

Relationships

  • designedChris GrannerChris Granner worked on Fishtails sound design; it is his favorite game he worked on, featuring complex multiball sequencesmedium
  • ownsKeith ElwinKeith Elwin currently plays and enjoys Fishtails, citing it as example of game where multiball jackpots dominate strategymedium
  • hostsElectric BatFishtails was in back of Electric Bat due to reset issues, scheduled for return to tournament playmedium

Facts

  • achievementChris Granner's favorite game he worked onhigh
  • achievementNeal Wagoner's first pinball machinehighfrom 2015
  • achievementLast remaining Williams table to release in Pinball FXhighfrom 2023-02-06
  • attributeFeatures boat ramp sequences with voiceoverhigh
  • attributeShipped with lightning flippers by German distributor requestmedium
  • attributeFeatures complex multiball sequences and multiple levels of jackpot modeshigh
  • attributeSales price range $5,300-$7,200

Claims (4)

  • opinionhigh

    Fishtails is Granner's personal favorite game soundtrack of his entire career

    Source: Chris GrannerEpisode 96 - Pinball Composer w/ Chris Granner
  • opinionmedium

    Fishtails has a color DMD that may be affecting video mode performance with slight lag

    Source: Broadcast commentary and Keith Harry Allen2016 IFPA Pin-Masters, Finals - Part 1
  • opinionmedium

    Fishtails playfield is slightly warped and feels uneven on left and right sides

    Source: Player commentary during gameplay2016 IFPA Pin-Masters, Finals - Part 1
  • opinionmedium

    The Fishtails captive ball shot requires aiming for the captive ball itself from the left flipper to successfully hit the right ramp

Recent Mentions (49)

  • Classic pinball game known for fish-themed topper; rumored as design inspiration for Pokemon Magikarp topper

    EP20 TPF Hype Episode!Mar 18, 2026
  • Pinball machine modified by Ken with blue star posts and hyper white LED bulbs; used as example of custom shopped game

    EP 95 - SKYNET is HEREMay 28, 2023
  • WPC game that Kerry Stair credits with deepening his love affair with pinball machines

    TOPCast 12: Kerry StairMar 9, 2007
  • Williams game by both Python Angelo (art) and Mark Ritchie (design); Dave has one in stock for restoration; advertised on Taxi back glass

    #121 Taxi - The Classic Pinball PodcastNov 18, 2024
  • Classic pinball machine used as qualifying game in pin golf format with target score of 100 million; modified with regular flippers and post

    2016 IFPA Pin-Masters, Qualifying Day 2, Part 1Apr 29, 2016
  • Classic pinball machine owned by Matt; recently repaired (5-volt regulator issue), features fish flapper and lock shot mechanics

    PinballOZwide Podcast - Episode 4 Can We Please Get A GFX Designer!

Contradictions

  • Existing: Fishtails is a Williams game (mentioned in multiple episodes as 'Williams game' or 'Williams classic')vsConflicting: Episode 3 (F**k Lightning Flippers) describes it as 'era-contemporary game also shipped with lightning flippers by German distributor request,' suggesting potential non-Williams origin or at minimum ambiguous manufacturer attribution
    Resolved
    kept_existing · Mar 2, 2026
  • Existing: Fishtails is a Williams game (established in mentions 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 14)vsConflicting: Mention 3 states it was 'shipped with lightning flippers by German distributor request' in an era-contemporary context that suggests Bally production
    Resolved
    kept_existing · Mar 3, 2026

Related Glossary Terms

No linked glossary terms

high
from 2025-07
  • attributeFeatures fishing reel mechanism and center ramp on standard modelmedium
  • attributeBally Williams pinball machinehigh
  • locationChris Granner owns prototype at his officehigh
  • locationTournament game at Pinball Studiohighfrom 2015
  • locationCurrently in back of Electric Bat due to reset issueshighfrom 2026-02
  • statusReceived by Mike Boom as part of trade involving Godzilla and Getawayhighfrom 2025-12-29
  • statusFully restored by Neal Wagoner over two monthshighfrom 2015
  • Source: Player commentary2016 IFPA Pin-Masters, Finals - Part 1
    May 30, 2025
  • Game extensively featured in finals broadcast, has color DMD, unusual physics, monster fish objective

    2016 IFPA Pin-Masters, Finals - Part 1May 9, 2016
  • Referenced as wholesome game; 'Neil from Fishtails' is a participant

    Glenn's Toy StoryJun 13, 2022
  • Stern pinball machine; Dan purchased as buyback from original owner; planned for topper construction

    Episode 84_Nationals or MonopolyFeb 27, 2026
  • Pinball game where Dustin lost in tournament after winning four consecutive games

    Alien (PinballBrothers 2020)Oct 12, 2022
  • Game George plans to focus on for upcoming tournament

    Total Nuclear Annihilation (Spooky)Nov 5, 2019
  • Pinball machine; DeadFlip completed a full week challenge on this before moving to Iron Man

    Day 1 of IRON MAN BATTLE!! Feb '15 - 1 / 2Feb 3, 2015
  • Pinball machine available at Deadflip studio for tournament

    Day 4 of THE GETAWAY Battle Week! IFPA tournament tonight!Nov 21, 2014
  • Classic pinball machine recently overhauled with LED conversion at Emporium Logan Square in Chicago

    DAY 4 : DARK KNIGHT BATTLE! All Costumed up for a party later!Oct 31, 2014
  • Pinball machine used for rematch/secondary matches during tournament, involves coin flip determining play order

    Day 3 of WORLD CUP SOCCER '94!! - 2 / 2Jan 19, 2015
  • Williams pinball machine played on stream at Emporium, featuring fishing theme, video mode, and multiball mechanics

    Emporium Logan Square !location | Road to 10k Followers! #Pinball #StreamingJul 19, 2016
  • Pinball machine used to demonstrate Las Vegas Playfields video apron system with interactive tutorial and scoring features

    Wifi Leaderboards, Video Aprons, & More - Pinball Expo 2025 - Pinball NewsOct 17, 2025
  • Classic pinball ranked #46 on Pinside Top 50; Don considers overrated; limited shot variety

    Episode 15 - Don Discusses Divergent DistractionsAug 18, 2016
  • Pinball machine. Topper noted as awesome and worth the money, contrasted with expensive Godzilla topper.

    Pinball Party Podcast Ep 31: KanedaMay 31, 2023
  • Williams Pinball machine returned to Electric Bat floor after 6-month restoration addressing reset issues and playfield maintenance; ranked #8 in earnings

    Episode 19 :: The Electric Bat CastAug 14, 2024
  • Classic Williams pinball game; offered free to all Pinball FX players; Mel Kirk's personal favorite that inspired him to enter pinball

    Zen Studios Interview with Mel KirkSep 16, 2018
  • Classic Bally/Williams pinball from 1982; cited as exemplar of layered sound design no longer used in modern Stern games

    ZaccaRIa, not ZaccARiaApr 5, 2019
  • Williams pinball game from early 1990s that shipped with lightning flippers; frequently discussed as example of shallow rule set benefiting from shorter flippers

    Episode 1 - Lightning FlippersOct 23, 2023
  • Williams pinball game that is Granner's personal favorite of his compositions; features bluegrass/fishing theme with humorous voice work

    Episode 96 - Pinball Composer w/ Chris GrannerAug 18, 2025
  • Source of lightning flipper design; quarter-inch shorter flippers used on multiple games including Guardians of the Galaxy and Indiana Jones

    The Great British Pinball Podcast Episode 21Feb 16, 2025
  • Space City Open finals machine; difficult game; Wesley won on it; featured complex strategy discussion

    Episode 3 - Let's Chat About...Space City Open, Houston Arcade Expo, Interstellar Finals and moreNov 14, 2023
  • Mentioned as having good video modes, though not as exceptional as Indiana Jones.

    Episode 266: Keith Johnson keeping us busyJun 26, 2020
  • Game Howard uses for practice, can be played with focused goals like multiball hunting or monster fish modes

    Episode 269: Howard DobsonJul 20, 2020
  • Pinball machine used by Jeff Teolis for testing; known for loud topper that he unplugged for late-night play; Jim and Dina Lindsay associated with tournament streaming

    Episode 302: Matthias Theißen, Twitch’s “pinballboy”Apr 14, 2021
  • Classic pinball game owned by Neil's family; used by Tom in Wisconsin state championship finals against Neil; Tom failed to perform well on it despite his competitive edge

    Episode 333: Neil GrafFeb 1, 2022
  • Data East pinball machine; among Todd's early acquisitions; played by Alan during first visit to Maritime

    Episode 72 - Operator Spotlight: Astoria PinballMar 3, 2025
  • Game featuring water skier shooting video mode; Alan considers it 'the best game of all time'; praised for animations, sound, pacing, and thematic integration

    Episode 5 - Video ModesNov 20, 2023
  • Mark Ritchie design featuring crisscross ramps; example of Mark's signature design trademark

    Episode 2 - The Ritchie Brothers Steve vs. MarkOct 30, 2023
  • 1992 Williams; Mark Ritchie's best-selling game at 13,640 units; noted for excellent replay animation (drumming fish); released during post-Addams Family sales surge

    Episode 13 - SuperpinsJan 15, 2024
  • Granner's favorite game he worked on; features complex multiball sequences, Orange Blossom Special references, and multiple levels of jackpot modes; Granner owns prototype at his office

    Episode 97 - The Music of Chris Granner w/ Chris GrannerAug 25, 2025
  • Classic Williams pinball; previously guest machine in Jared's garage collection

    The pros and cons of real and digital pinball cab ownershipJun 24, 2024
  • Virtual pinball table in Zen catalog; frequently played by speaker; exploitable through outer orbit shots and multiball techniques

    Happy 2025! Movies of 2024Jan 13, 2025
  • Used in tiering speculation; would lose fishing reel mechanism and center ramp on Pro model

    End of year free-for-allJan 2, 2021
  • Launch title with full demo access; Williams classic with flashy gameplay

    And the WMS License Goes To… Zen Studios!Sep 4, 2018
  • Last remaining Williams table to release in FX; Chris reports Mel indicated 'something quite unquote special very special with that table'

    Pinball FX Feb 16 Launch DetailsFeb 6, 2023
  • Williams game Keith currently plays and enjoys; cited as example of game where multiball jackpots dominate strategy (counterexample to his design philosophy)

    Ep 12: Keith Elwin!Jul 1, 2019
  • Classic Williams title; Scott enjoyed but found lacked replayability after extended ownership

    Ep 24: Happy Holidays!Dec 18, 2019
  • Bally Williams game; three sales in last month $5,300-$7,200 range

    This Month's Pinball Market July 2025Jul 1, 2025
  • Referenced as precedent for placing thematic pinball machines in matching commercial venues

    Waffle House Pinball | Bonus X!!Nov 28, 2025
  • Game received by Mike Boom as part of trade involving Godzilla and Getaway

    The Grasley Garage! Seawitch & Evel Knievel are finished. More games join the queue!Dec 29, 2025
  • Era-contemporary game also shipped with lightning flippers by German distributor request

    F**k Lightning Flippers | Pinball School with DraculaDec 4, 2025
  • Currently in back of Electric Bat due to reset issues; will be returned to tournament play after repair

    Episode 33 :: The Electric Bat CastFeb 13, 2026
  • Neal's first pinball machine, acquired in 2015 in severely damaged condition and fully restored over two months; now a tournament game at Pinball Studio

    EP03 Neal WagonerSep 20, 2025
  • Game featuring boat ramp sequences with voiceover; illustrates how physical game mechanics override composed music structure

    Episode 71 – Chris Granner: Pinball Sound MastermindNov 26, 2018