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Apollo 13

gameactive20 mentionsFirst seen May 27, 2007Last seen Jan 26, 2026

Profile

Apollo 13 is a space-themed pinball machine manufactured by Sega in 1995, based on the Apollo 13 moon landing film. Co-designed by Joe Balcer and John Borg, it introduced the White Star board (based on Williams WPC) and marked Sega's shift from the Data East era. The game features a distinctive 13-ball multiball mechanic and a moon-locking mechanism, and notably was delivered to astronaut Jim Lovell's home, where he played it for years. It was one of 2,000 units produced and ranked #15 in a comprehensive ranking of 1995 pinball machines.

Aliases

No aliases

Relationships

  • designedJoe BalcerCo-designer of Apollo 13medium
  • designedJohn BorgCo-designer of Apollo 13medium
  • manufacturesSegaManufacturer of Apollo 13 pinball machine (1995, 2,000 units produced)medium

Facts

No facts recorded

Claims (7)

  • factualhigh

    Apollo 13's 13-ball multiball is actually achievable in play, not just a gimmick

    Source: DennisThe Pinball Show Episode 178 BONUS: Dennis' Top 5 Greatest Pinball Machines Of All Time From Each Company Part 2 (Data East & Sega)
  • factualhigh

    Apollo 13 pinball's 13-ball multiball uses a dual-trough system with an 8-ball trough on the left and 5-ball main trough, controlled by a field diverter

    Source: Joe Balcer technical explanationSilverball Chronicles Ep 33: Joe Balcer - The King Of Clunk
  • factualmedium

    Death saving is not a feature on Apollo 13

    Source: Host commentaryAPOLLO 13 - Sega 1995 Tutorial (09/08/2017)
  • factualhigh

    The Apollo 13 multiball is triggered by spelling BLAST OFF via specific ramp shots

Recent Mentions (20)

  • 1995 Data East pinball game; featured innovative 13-ball multiball concept; Orin Day worked on rules and design

    Episode 114 – A Banner DayOct 30, 2018
  • Sega Pinball machine (1995) based on 1995 Ron Howard film; Balcer involved in delivery to astronaut Jim Lovell

    Joe Balcer – The King Of ClunkOct 19, 2023
  • Data East pinball game cost-cut late in production by removing counter-rotating moon/earth units; prototype boards show patching

    TOPCast 57: John BorgApr 16, 2008
  • Sega-branded Data East game released during Sega ownership transition; featured technological innovations including 13-ball multiball and spinning discs

    TOPCast 37: Joe KaminkowMay 27, 2007
  • Sega game ranked #5 by Dennis. Famous for 13-ball multiball gimmick (actually achievable). Two-flipper game with moon toy, satellite lift ramp, earthquake shaker.

    The Pinball Show Episode 178 BONUS: Dennis' Top 5 Greatest Pinball Machines Of All Time From Each Company Part 2 (Data East & Sega)Jul 12, 2025
  • Pinball game referenced in multiball discussion

    Episode 7 - Die on this Hill: Gilligan's Island

Contradictions

  • Existing: Co-designed by Balcer, John Borg, and Joe Camel (Episode 163)vsConflicting: Co-designed by Borg and Joe Balcer with no mention of Joe Camel (Episodes 2, 104)
    Unresolved
  • Existing: Sega American pinball game described as fourth Sega American pinball game (Episode 3)vsConflicting: Multiple sources describe Apollo 13 as a notable Sega game but do not corroborate 'fourth' position claim
    Resolved
    accepted_new · Mar 3, 2026

Related Glossary Terms

No linked glossary terms

Source: Gameplay observation and chat assistanceAPOLLO 13 - Sega 1995 Tutorial (09/08/2017)
  • rumorlow

    The 13-ball multiball was originally designed for Guns N' Roses pinball but relocated to Apollo 13

    Source: Chat/Willy Wonka referenceAPOLLO 13 - Sega 1995 Tutorial (09/08/2017)
  • factualmedium

    Apollo 13 was the first game to implement a Stern-like menu interface

    Source: CrystalAPOLLO 13 - Sega 1995 Tutorial (09/08/2017)
  • factualmedium

    Apollo 13 holds the record for highest pinball multiball with 13 balls

    Source: Jack DangerAerosmith Pinball (With wizard mode) Tutorial? | Logan Arcade, Chicago IL
  • Dec 4, 2023
  • Rowan's first pinball machine purchased in late 2019 for three and a half thousand dollars; space-themed

    PinballOZwide Podcast - Episode 5 Flipping Down With The SicknessJul 1, 2025
  • Pinball game designed by Joe Balzer

    SDTM Episode 47: Houdini Pinball Machine Review-Deluxe EditionJan 29, 2018
  • Sega 1995 pinball machine; features 13-ball multiball, unique plunger mechanism, Saturn rocket/lunar lander theme; recently returned to Pacific Pinball Museum after previous stay

    Apollo 13 (Sega 1995) at the Pacific Pinball MuseumFeb 16, 2020
  • Pinball table available on virtual cabinet; referenced as example of 90s era tables

    Virtual Pinball Introduction - Iron Man / Back to the Future - Check it out!Aug 13, 2019
  • Sega 1995 pinball machine; features 13-ball multiball, moon-landing theme, video modes, combo-based shot sequences

    APOLLO 13 - Sega 1995 Tutorial (09/08/2017)Sep 9, 2017
  • Pinball machine with record 13-ball multiball, mentioned as historical reference

    Aerosmith Pinball (With wizard mode) Tutorial? | Logan Arcade, Chicago ILApr 4, 2017
  • Data East pinball game designed by Walshert; notable for 13-ball multi-ball feature; first game where Walshert's name appeared on back glass was follow-up 'Rec Lab'

    American Pinball at Vancouver Flipout Expo 2018Sep 9, 2018
  • Sega pinball designed by Joe Balcer; features 13-ball multiball; astronaut Jim Lovell signed back glass

    Silverball Chronicles Ep 33: Joe Balcer - The King Of ClunkOct 18, 2023
  • Pinball machine in Mr. Wonderful's Palace lineup

    NEW ARCADE ALERT: MR WONDERFUL’S PINBALL PALACEFeb 12, 2022
  • Sega-manufactured pinball machine from 1995; ranked #15; based on moon landing film; features 13-ball multiball as signature mechanic

    Every Pinball Machine of 1995, RankedOct 3, 2025
  • Fourth Sega American pinball game (1995, 2,000 units); Joe Kamenkow/Joe Balser design; introduces White Star board (based on Williams WPC); marks design shift from Data East era

    Episode 110 - SEGA PinballJan 26, 2026
  • Co-designed by Borg and Joe Balcer; featured space theme with moon-locking mechanism; delivered to astronaut Jim Lovell's home; Lovell played it for years afterward.

    Episode 104 - John Borg: The Man Who Doesn't F*&k AroundNov 3, 2025
  • Space-themed pinball machine, one of Erin's top three favorite space-themed pins, played at Game Preserve NASA in Houston

    Episode 418: Erin Winick AnthonyMay 13, 2025
  • Co-designed by Balcer, John Borg, and Joe Camel; 13-ball multiball innovation; first game with Balcer's name in backglass; Jim Lovell connection and signed backglass

    Episode 163: Joe Balcer, a career retrospectiveNov 11, 2018