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Safe Cracker

gameactive19 mentionsFirst seen Apr 29, 2007Last seen Apr 6, 2026

Profile

Safe Cracker is a pinball machine designed by Pat Lawlor featuring a heist/safe-cracking theme with innovative mechanics including a mini playfield and board game elements. Originally released by Williams, the game has been featured across multiple digital platforms including Williams Pinball Volume 3 (2019) and Pinball Arcade, where it gained recognition for its unique design despite being divisive among players. The machine is notable for its token dispensing mechanism and has earned particular praise from pinball enthusiasts, including being cited as a favorite by AJ from Spooky tech.

Aliases

No aliases

Relationships

  • designedPat LawlorPat Lawlor is the designer of Safe Crackermedium
  • manufacturesWilliamsWilliams manufactured Safe Cracker pinball machinemedium
  • appears_inPinball ArcadeSafe Cracker was released as a table in Pinball Arcademedium

Facts

No facts recorded

Claims (10)

  • factualhigh

    Safe Cracker uses a timed clock system instead of traditional ball count

    Source: ManuSafe Cracker (Bally 1996) feat. Jen
  • factualmedium

    Original Safe Cracker tokens are worth approximately $1.50 each

    Source: Chat community memberSafe Cracker (Bally 1996) feat. Jen
  • factualhigh

    The Safe Cracker drop target mechanism is experiencing repeated failures

    Source: Manu (observed during gameplay)Safe Cracker (Bally 1996) feat. Jen
  • opinionmedium

    Safe Cracker is a highly divisive pinball table that players either love or hate, with no middle-ground opinions

Recent Mentions (19)

  • Pinball machine at Grazley Garage arcade; features custom tokens from Pastimes arcade (won through gameplay)

    The Grasley Garage! The Grateful Dead Van & Super Sonic Pick Ups!Apr 6, 2026
  • Bally redemption/board game hybrid at Grazley Garage arcade; features complex ramp/playfield sequences and board game elements

    The Grasley Garage! Slugfest & Tales of the Arabian Nights Restorations Begin!Mar 24, 2026
  • Williams pinball machine; recently repaired at Grazley Garage after driver board issues; features Monopoly-style board game mechanism and timer-based ruleset

    The Grasley Garage! Safe Cracker & Medusa Gameplay!Mar 14, 2026
  • Williams pinball machine; won Best of Show voting at Rocky Mountain Showdown; owned by Dean Grover

    TOPCast 31: Tech showApr 29, 2007
  • Pinball machine at Pacific Pinball Museum that Dr. C played and won a token on

    Pacific Pinball Museum Tour by Pinball PursuitMar 24, 2025
  • Classic pinball game discussed for difficult access and wizard mode design

    S279: Family Guy

Contradictions

No contradictions detected

Related Glossary Terms

No linked glossary terms

Source: Jared Morgan
Analytics, here we come!
  • factualhigh

    Safe Cracker costs $7,500 US

    Source: Jack Danger (streamer)Safe Cracker | Vancouver Flip-out | Sept. 22, 2017
  • factualhigh

    Safe Cracker is significantly smaller than standard pinball machines in both height and length

    Source: Jack DangerSafe Cracker | Vancouver Flip-out | Sept. 22, 2017
  • factualhigh

    Safe Cracker features a physical token ejection mechanism that rolls down the glass

    Source: Jack DangerSafe Cracker | Vancouver Flip-out | Sept. 22, 2017
  • factualhigh

    Safe Cracker has timed gameplay where running out of time results in immediate game over on drain

    Source: Jack DangerSafe Cracker | Vancouver Flip-out | Sept. 22, 2017
  • opinionmedium

    Safe Cracker would be a strong earner in arcade/location play due to engaging gameplay mechanics

    Source: Jack DangerSafe Cracker | Vancouver Flip-out | Sept. 22, 2017
  • factualhigh

    Safe Cracker (Williams, owned by Dean Grover) won Best of Show voting at Rocky Mountain Showdown

    Source: Dan NicholasTOPCast 31: Tech show
  • May 8, 2020
  • One of six thief modes in Heist; uses spinner; alternates between jail entrances to open safe; Ava's favorite mode; difficult side job

    Episode 466 - Heist P3 Game - Interview with Ava Baldridge 3-26-20Mar 27, 2020
  • Pinball machine that dispenses tokens redeemable in a slot machine for other games; part of museum's Oddballs exhibit

    On Beam (Bally 1969) at the Pacific Pinball Museum!May 1, 2022
  • Announced for streaming in couple of weeks

    007 James Bond 60th LE (Stern 2023)Jul 29, 2024
  • Bally 1996 timed redemption pinball game featuring board game feature, token rewards, and multiple ramp/target mechanics

    Safe Cracker (Bally 1996) feat. JenAug 2, 2024
  • #8 most overrated; Pat Lawlor design; Zach criticizes time-based mechanics and cramped playfield

    Top 10 Most Overrated Pinball Machines Of All TimeJan 10, 2021
  • Compact pinball machine (~$7,500) with vault-cracking theme, physical token ejection mechanism, timed gameplay. Machine on display/for sale at Vancouver Flipout.

    Safe Cracker | Vancouver Flip-out | Sept. 22, 2017Sep 25, 2017
  • Pinball machine at Vancouver Flipout previously streamed; comparison point for gimmick-based gameplay

    Qbert's Quest Pinball | Vancouver Flip-out | Sept. 22, 2017Sep 25, 2017
  • Rare game with original coins in museum collection; playable as originally designed

    Pinball Museums - Pinball Expo 2024 - Michael Schiess, Evan Phillippe, Melissa HarmonOct 18, 2024
  • Game on Matt's want-to-play list for Pinfest

    BONUS X!! 4/20 Arcade Trip, Jaws, Bond, Reggae!May 9, 2024
  • Pinball Arcade table; recent beta release showing improved polish

    Feelin' GoodSep 14, 2015
  • Williams pinball machine with heist/safe-cracking theme; third title in Williams Pinball Volume 3; noted as having soft spot in hosts' hearts

    Williams Pinball Vol. 3Mar 19, 2019
  • Pinball table described as divisive (love it or hate it); featured in Spacey's Arcade Volume Pack 3 with overwhelming positive first impression

    Analytics, here we come!Mar 28, 2019
  • Pat Lawlor design with mini playfield and board game mechanics; AJ's (Spooky tech) favorite game of all time; features token dispensing mechanism

    The Church of Pinball Tour - PinballSTAR Amusements Joe NewhartMay 2, 2024