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Friday the 13th

gameactive25 mentionsFirst seen Jan 14, 2022Last seen Apr 7, 2026

Profile

Friday the 13th is a pinball game known for its campy horror theme that has inspired design discussions within the pinball community. The game is notable for its influence on pinball design concepts, particularly regarding magnet placement mechanics between flippers that designers have referenced and attempted to implement in subsequent games like Beetlejuice and Alice Cooper. While the game itself was never designed with certain aspirational features, it remains a cultural touchstone in pinball circles for its thematic appeal and design legacy.

Aliases

No aliases

Relationships

  • designedKyleHomebrew pinball game designermedium

Facts

No facts recorded

Claims (3)

  • factualhigh

    Friday the 13th pinball licensing is impossible due to multiple rights holders

    Source: DonWe Are Pinball #14 "All the Stern Themes!"
  • factualhigh

    Friday the 13th homebrew won Best Game of Show at TPF

    Source: HostPinball Mod Talk Episode 18 - Interview with Chris Turner of Turner Pinball
  • factualhigh

    Friday the 13th homebrew won best-of-show at TPF 2024

    Source: Kerry HardyCary Hardy - Episode 23

Recent Mentions (25)

  • Kyle's first homebrew pinball machine; debuted at TPF24; features 12 movies, 2 video games, 25+ modes; uses Cobra board architecture

    Homebrew Showcase: Friday the 13th Pinball at Texas Pinball Festival 2026Apr 7, 2026
  • Kyle's homebrew pinball game; previously featured on Marco Pinball

    Homebrew Showcase: Big Trouble in Little China Pinball at Texas Pinball Festival 2026Apr 6, 2026
  • Kyle Smet homebrew machine; playable at Texas Pinball Festival; inspired by horror film franchise

    Video of Stern Pinball's Pokémon on the Line; Pokémon Topper Coming Soon?; Bally World Cup Soccer Comes & Goes; Friday the 13th PinballMar 13, 2026
  • Homebrew pinball machine by Kyle Smet themed around the horror film franchise; won Texas Pinball Festival 2024 grand championship

    PINDEVCON: Friday the 13th Pinball by Kyle SmetMar 13, 2026
  • Kyle Smet homebrew that won Best Game of Show at TPF; will be in Electric Playground booth at Expo; features professional audio engineering

    Pinball Mod Talk Episode 18 - Interview with Chris Turner of Turner PinballAug 27, 2024
  • Kyle Smit's completed homebrew; features original art, multiple original actor call-outs, and horror theme alongside Jaws and Halloween

Contradictions

  • Existing: Entity is Friday the 13th (a pinball game)vsConflicting: Mention 4 references Friday the 13th as Mud Flaps Pinball's first homebrew project, but other mentions indicate Big Trouble in Little China is Kyle's first homebrew
    Resolved
    kept_existing · Mar 2, 2026
  • Existing: Entity is Friday the 13th (a pinball game)vsConflicting: Mentions 3, 4, 5, 6 describe Big Trouble in Little China as Kyle's first homebrew pinball game, not Friday the 13th
    Resolved
    accepted_new · Mar 2, 2026

Related Glossary Terms

No linked glossary terms

Pinball Mod Talk Episode 21: Who Should Take on Homebrew in House?Nov 26, 2024
  • Spooky theme; Genghis researched first four movies; planning to discuss upcoming pinball machine based on IP

    We Are Pinball #55 "Instagram Creepers!!"Mar 6, 2026
  • 1980 horror film; Kaneda repeatedly identifies as ideal Spooky Pinball property; appears in multiple years on box office lists

    Episode 925: "Films Perfect For Pinball Vol. 1 (1980-1982)"Mar 13, 2024
  • Custom or independent pinball machine that Don saw at Texas Pinball Festival

    Story time with Don #2!Apr 20, 2024
  • Kyle's homebrew pinball project; built using Trident Pinball kit; completed by Texas Pinball Festival 2024 deadline

    PINDEVCON: Beavis & Butthead Pinball at Texas Pinball Festival 2024Mar 15, 2025
  • Homebrew pinball game designed by Kyle; featured at Pinball Expo

    How I Opened Hyper Beer Co Arcade with the owner Hans | Ep 185Feb 27, 2026
  • VPX virtual pinball table created by JP Salas, based on Friday the 13th IP, available on VP forums

    Virtual Pinball: Friday the 13th by JP Salas VPXJan 14, 2022
  • Rumored Spooky Pinball horror title; confirmed as license inquiry by manufacturer

    SDTM: 2024 Pinball Sneak Peek: Rumors, Speculation, Dirty Secrets, & PredictionsDec 20, 2023
  • Homebrew game by Kyle; 23 modes, 4 multiballs, 6 real actor callouts, 1.5 year development, mixed sourcing

    Texas Pinball Festival 2024 - 12 Interviews!! - Pulp Fiction, Friday the 13th, Princess Bride & MoreMar 20, 2024
  • All-original horror homebrew; won best of show at Texas; drawing significant attention

    DPP #110 "Major changes at Pinball Bros?! Texas wrap up!"Mar 20, 2024
  • Potential horror pinball title repeatedly championed by Ken; licensing described as major barrier due to fragmented IP rights

    EP 6 - Pinball ConfessionsAug 21, 2025
  • Date-specific badge opportunity; unclear if this refers to actual calendar date or themed event name

    Friday the 13th EHOH Badge!Feb 12, 2026
  • Homebrew pinball machine that won Best of Show at TPF 2024, signaling competitive shift from traditional restorations to custom builds

    Cary Hardy - Episode 23Apr 4, 2024
  • Kyle's first homebrew pinball game; 12 movies and 2 video games represented; featured spinner-to-pop mechanic and Pamela head tracking feature; coded too deep with difficulty that limited audience experience

    Big Trouble in Little China Pinball with Homebrewer Kyle Smet | Ep 177Nov 15, 2025
  • Kyle's first completed homebrew pinball game; debuted at TPF; horror theme; used Cobra platform; prompted Kyle to explore non-horror themes for second game

    Homebrew Showcase: Big Trouble in Little ChinaNov 4, 2025
  • Earlier homebrew mentioned as Mud Flaps Pinball's first homebrew project

    Chicago Pinball Expo 2025 Preview & Pre-Con Hype: New Releases & Hot Rumors!Oct 12, 2025
  • Kyle's first homebrew pinball game; debuted at TPF 2024; complex code with 23 modes that went largely unseen due to difficulty

    The Big Trouble in Little China Homebrew Pinball JourneyNov 6, 2025
  • Charlie Emery wanted magnet-between-flippers design on Jason Lives version; George Gomez implemented similar concept on Alice Cooper instead

    I'M BACK BABY! thx for the love...up all nite but lets talk #beetlejuice #pinball @SpookyPinballNov 24, 2025
  • Referenced as Bug's childhood design aspiration where he wanted to feature below-flipper magnet mechanic; never designed but concept realized in Beetlejuice

    Spooky's Beetlejuice PinballNov 14, 2025
  • Referenced as campy theme suitable for pinball

    Kaneda's Sunday Morning Service!May 26, 2025