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Sea Witch

gameactive54 mentionsFirst seen Nov 6, 2014Last seen Mar 17, 2026

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Sea Witch is a classic pinball game originally designed by Mike (with Gary Cuban referenced in Easter eggs) and produced by Stern. The game gained renewed attention when its layout was selected as the basis for the Beatles pinball remake, with the original machine brought to Stern's offices by Keith Elwin and modified by George Gomez to include an enhanced loop and optic spinner. A Sea Witch machine owned by Sean Bennish underwent full restoration at the Grasley Garage in late 2025, including a custom playfield replacement and new flipper hardware.

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Recent Mentions (54)

  • Classic pinball machine with spinning disc in middle and outlane challenges

    Dirty Pool Podcast - Ep28 - Jason Zahler - The World's Best Pinball PlayerMar 17, 2026
  • Stern Electronics undersea-themed pinball machine; beautiful artwork with sea witch backglass art; ahead-of-its-time playfield layout with figure-eight loop; later remade as The Beatles by Stern Pinball

    The 10 Best Pinball Machines Ever Made From 1980 - 1984Mar 16, 2026
  • Classic Stern pinball game from 1980s; basis for Beatles pinball playfield design; referenced extensively in design analysis

    episode 15 nacho pinballNov 4, 2018
  • Pinball game focused on chasing bonus X multipliers; used in pin golf with modified bonus collect ROM

    Episode 8 - Northwest Pinball and Arcade ShowJun 3, 2019
  • Referenced as example of shallow pinball code (3/10 depth rating) used for comparison to Beatles

    PNP Ep. 535- A Venomous Centaur Goes On A Space Hunt 4 Masters of The Princess Bride!Jul 17, 2023
  • Classic pinball game discussed as potential subject for Stern remake experiment with Beatles licensing

    Episode 5: The Classic Pinball Podcast - Quicksilver - part 2

Contradictions

  • Existing: Owner name appears as both 'Shawn Bennish' and 'Sean Bennish'vsConflicting: Mentions 1, 3 use 'Shawn'; mention 2 uses 'Sean'
    Unresolved
  • Existing: Designer referenced as 'Mike' or 'Mike/Gary Cuban'vsConflicting: Episode 0 presents 'Mike/Gary Cuban' as Easter egg reference with unclear attribution to actual designer
    Resolved
    kept_existing · Mar 2, 2026

Related Glossary Terms

No linked glossary terms

Jul 23, 2019
  • Classic Stern pinball game, George notes it's 'kind of falling a little bit away' compared to top tier games

    #90.6 STARGAZER revisited - The Classic Pinball PodcastAug 30, 2022
  • 1980 Stern pinball machine; rumored as playfield base for Beatles title

    Episode 17 - Make Pinball Great AgainOct 10, 2018
  • Earlier Stern pinball title; rumored playfield base for Beatles re-theme

    Episode 18 - I Heard a RumorOct 16, 2018
  • Classic pinball game; basis for Beatles remix; Ken Cromwell speculates about hypothetical fan who loves both Sea Witch and Beatles

    Episode 27 - One more question Roger SharpeDec 11, 2018
  • Classic Stern game remade with modern improvements; playfield geometry modified; tested by competitive players including Zach and Keith

    Ep 71 - Nuggets with George GomezSep 26, 2019
  • Classic Stern game that Keith Elwin kept at The High Dive location and which was very popular with bar employees. He later acquired one for his personal collection despite not seeing it on location as a kid.

    #102 Keith Elwin - The Classic Pinball PodcastApr 19, 2023
  • Pinball machine available upstairs at the arcade location

    Pinball Arcade Wizard Goals IRL EP.1 "Champion Pub"May 8, 2017
  • 1980 Stern game designed by Mike Kubin; has similar drop target bank geometry to Quicksilver

    Episode 4 : The Classic Pinball Podcast - Quicksilver - Part 1Jul 23, 2019
  • Pinball machine owned by Steph Guida, experiencing mechanical issues with drop target assembly and belly drain problem

    Episode 69 – Never BeefNov 16, 2017
  • Pinball machine acquired by Bruce via swap with his father; has RAM chip socket issues causing boot and lockup problems

    Episode 120 – Socket To MeDec 12, 2018
  • Classic Bally game; hosts speculate Stern could remake this title; compare to The Beatles (modified Sea Witch); noted for beautiful art package and improved geometry

    Falcon Crest is GOMay 13, 2021
  • Pinball machine being restored by Ron; planned for warm white LED GI conversion; Williams-style flipper modifications in progress

    Episode 130 – Space InvaderJun 22, 2019
  • Pinball machine at Pintastic set tougher than standard; leans right; requires 280,000-300,000+ points to score well; both Dave and George scored zero in qualifying

    #68 Silverball Rumble - The Classic Pinball PodcastNov 23, 2021
  • Game Dave previously owned and modified, then removed from collection in favor of Flight 2000

    #79 RUSH to judgement - The Classic Pinball PodcastMar 15, 2022
  • Late 1970s/early 1980s Stern machine; design template for Beatles pinball; mentioned as inferior shooter compared to Beatles

    The Beatles Pinball w/ Zach MenyJun 2, 2020
  • Classic Harry Williams game; rumored basis for The Beatles retheme; rare to find, especially outside Australia

    Episode 111 – Center PostOct 10, 2018
  • Classic pinball machine owned by Steph Gaida, inspiration for Riptide Pinball Podcast name, Steph's 'desert island pin'

    Episode 87 – Spectrum SucksApr 18, 2018
  • Side tournament game in Rachel's league; Rachel placed 8th in tournament; no IFPA points available

    Tribe Multiball with Rachel and Tim: Episode 6, 25,000 Imported Italian Twinkle LightsMay 16, 2021
  • Pinball machine played in tournament groups, noted for difficulty and player performance variance

    INDISC 2019 - Classics II Playoffs - First RoundApr 13, 2020
  • 1980 pinball machine; playfield geometry improved in modern Beatles game redesign; some enthusiasts have converted to multiball version

    Alameda Pinball Museum VisitFeb 16, 2020
  • Classic Stern pinball title; host uses as price comparison baseline (~$5-6K modern equivalent); suggests Beatles should have been 'Sea Witch 2' without licensing

    The Beatles (Stern 2018)Oct 26, 2019
  • Pinball machine mentioned as underrated backglass, considered for honorable mentions

    SDTM: a pinball Show Episode 11: Top 10 BackglassesApr 11, 2017
  • Classic pinball game featured in Louisville tournament

    SDTM Tutorial: Chuckwurt on Silverball Mania pinballMar 24, 2018
  • Pinball machine released in 1980, a few months after Ali; contemporary competitor

    #92 Stern Ali - The Classic Pinball PodcastSep 27, 2022
  • Referenced as baseline comparison for The Beatles improvements; classic Williams game with spinner mechanics; used as design precedent for Gomez's innovations

    Top 10 Most Underrated Pinball Machines Of All TimeDec 26, 2020
  • Classic Stern Electronics game from the 1970s designed by Mike Rubin; served as design inspiration for Beatles Pinball's playfield layout and mechanics.

    Episode 68 – Joe Kaminkow on The Beatles PinballNov 5, 2018
  • Classic pinball machine at Bottom Lounge; available but Jack considers it boring; mentioned as backup option

    Live at halfrez.Nov 6, 2014
  • Pinball machine in Bottom Lounge collection; described as super fast with beautiful super bands rubber; appeals to casual players

    Funhouse 2 - Bottom Lounge Location Stream!! #Pinball #Streaming 11/04/15Nov 13, 2015
  • Final game Hardy played in tournament where he scored second place in C division with strong last ball

    I Competed in my First Tournament...Sep 12, 2022
  • Classic Stern Electronics game from 1970s; layout being adapted/modified for Beatles machine

    Episode 74 - Beatles BlizzConNov 5, 2018
  • Stern #1 seed; defeated Stargazer 61.3%; advancing to semifinals vs 8 Ball Deluxe

    Episode 12 - Domino's, SGDQ 2016, Evo 2016, & Tabletop for KidsAug 18, 2016
  • Stern pinball machine (1-seed) in 'Other' region of tournament

    Episode 10 – Charities & Circuits, Strikes & Fables, Stars and Planet-BustersAug 18, 2016
  • Stern 1980s pinball game; seeded #1 in Other region (non-major manufacturers) of bracket

    Episode 8 – 80s Pinball, Homebrew, CoD/Battlefield, RPGs GaloreAug 18, 2016
  • Original Stern pinball game whose layout design was the basis for The Beatles playfield layout.

    The Beatles Pinball Tutorial (Flip N Out Pinball, 2025)Jan 18, 2025
  • Stern pinball game being reskinned as Beatles pinball; foundational playfield for licensed Kapow release

    A Bad Case of the SmurfberriesOct 25, 2018
  • Base playfield platform for Beatles Pinball; hosts community preference vs Beatles reskin

    Slow News Weeks Are Awesome!Oct 31, 2018
  • Williams 1992 classic; Megan will play for extended time when available; indicator of location lineup quality

    Episode 109 - A Casual Look Back at 2025 w/ Megan the WatergirlJan 12, 2026
  • Classic 1980s Stern solid-state game; Beatles layout based on this machine with modifications to upper loop and multiball features

    Episode 30 - Throwback GamesMay 13, 2024
  • Classic 1970s Stern pinball game; inspired Beatles playfield design; featured four flippers, four drop target banks; had design issues (ball stuck behind metal flap, no multi-ball) that Beatles addressed in modernized version

    Bonus Podcast: Joe Kaminkow & Gary Stern on The Beatles: Beatlemania PinballNov 6, 2018
  • Stern game; base design for Beatles retheme; old Stern title appreciated by collectors

    Episode 164: Deals! Collecting! Pricing!Nov 20, 2018
  • Vintage Stern pinball machine (early 1980s era) recently purchased by Stephanie; known for difficult upper loop shots and demanding flipper control

    Episode 118: Play (pin)ball with Stephanie GuidaApr 1, 2018
  • Pinball machine where Steve Epstein played one of his most memorable games, a 20-minute ball witnessed by Roger Sharp and Lou Reed.

    Episode 230: Steve EpsteinNov 7, 2019
  • May 1980 Stern release designed by Mike Coban; 2,500 produced; difficult trick shots (Riptide); later redesigned as The Beatles by George Gomez with easier layout

    Episode 32 - Stern's 'Miracle' YearMay 27, 2024
  • Classic game brought to Stern office by Keith as baseline for Beatles remake; George Gomez modified loop and added optic spinner based on feedback

    Ep 12: Keith Elwin!Jul 1, 2019
  • Restoration completed for Shawn Benish; playfield swap operation finished with new flipper brackets and transparent rubbers

    The Grasley Garage! Seawitch & Evel Knievel are finished. More games join the queue!Dec 29, 2025
  • Pinball machine owned by Sean Bennish; being brought to Grazley Garage for restoration while Medusa playfield is serviced

    The Grasley Garage! The Nicest Whirlwind 2.0 Total Chaos in Existence!Nov 2, 2025
  • Shawn Bennish machine in restoration queue with custom playfield replacement

    The Grasley Garage! Projects Galore! The good, the Bad and the Ugly!Nov 20, 2025
  • Original Stern game whose layout is being reused for Beatles pinball; designed originally by Mike (referenced as Mike/Gary Cuban in Easter egg)

    Episode 69 – Christopher Franchi on Beatles ArtNov 12, 2018