Elton John Pinball Gameplay Guide - PORTRAIT/VERTICAL (SDTM, 2024)

Straight Down the Middle·video·32m 21s·held·Feb 4, 2024

Analysis

claude-haiku-4-5-20251001 · $0.029

TL;DR

Zach Sharpe plays and explains Elton John (JJP/Ritchie), praising its exceptional flow, rule depth, and emotional design moments.

Summary

Zach Sharpe from Flipping Out Pinball presents an in-depth gameplay guide for Jersey Jack Pinball John machine, designed by Steve Ritchie. The video showcases the game's layout, rules, multiballs, and distinctive features while playing multiple balls, highlighting exceptional shooting mechanics, beautiful lighting choreography, and an ambitious rule set centered around Elton John career milestones. Sharpe emphasizes the game's ability to create emotional, immersive moments—particularly the 'Champ Multiball' feature—and demonstrates why he considers it a standout modern pinball design despite initial skepticism about its mass-market theme appeal.

Key Claims

Steve Ritchie is iconic and legendary, having designed some of the greatest pinball machines in history
high confidence · Zach Sharpe, opening remarks about the designer credentials
Elton John has become an iconic theme 'synonymous for the game of pinball' over the last 50 years, referenced as both 'Captain Fantastic' and 'pinball wizard'
medium confidence · Zach Sharpe, thematic framing of Elton John cultural position in pinball
The Platinum Edition comes stock with interior art blades, metallic trimming, powder coating, and a topper
high confidence · Zach Sharpe, describing Platinum Edition specs
The Collector's Edition has lasers and TV screen features in the topper, plus glitter on the playfield
high confidence · Zach Sharpe, describing Collector's Edition specs
Zach initially changed his opinion on the game after getting Grand Champion and experiencing the flow and design
high confidence · Zach Sharpe, personal anecdote about reconsidering the game
The Champ Multiball is one of the greatest moments Zach has experienced in pinball since joining the hobby, featuring an environmental experience with selected Elton John music
high confidence · Zach Sharpe, describing Champ Multiball experience multiple times during gameplay
Jersey Jack games feature only two tilt warnings throughout the entire game, not per ball
high confidence · Zach Sharpe, rules explanation during gameplay
The game features hundreds, probably thousands of LEDs with full RGB integration
high confidence · Zach Sharpe, describing the Platinum Edition's lighting

Notable Quotes

“It is quintessential Steve Ritchie as a game designer. Steve Ritchie is iconic and legendary throughout the pinball industry.”
Zach Sharpe@ 0:21 — Establishes designer credentials and sets expectations for game quality
“I had a couple moments playing this pinball machine that I very rarely anymore experience when playing pinball—some of the most captivating moments happen on this game where the coding team and the designer they stop you and they allow you to experience special moments throughout Elton John career.”
Zach Sharpe@ 6:42 — Explains what makes the game emotionally resonant and design-forward
“I tasted the sweetness of Champ Multiball and I want to get back there.”
Zach Sharpe@ 12:16 — Emphasizes the unique appeal of the game's signature feature
“That's pinball. That's a pinball moment. I love it. Look at the light show, look at the choreography—everything is in sync with the sound. It's fantastic.”
Zach Sharpe@ 14:36 — Demonstrates the integrated audio-visual design philosophy
“I can't unell how great this game feels to shoot, even that stupid center bank that generally I hate on games feels good.”
Zach Sharpe@ 20:40 — Praises the game's shot consistency and haptic feedback across the playfield
“This is the joy of pinball. This is what I love about pinball, and Elton John giving it to me in spades right now—it's that nervousness, I'm anxious about getting to levels of the game.”
Zach Sharpe — Articulates the emotional and psychological engagement the game provides

Entities

Zach Sharpeperson Steve Ritchieperson Jersey Jack Pinballcompany Elton Johngame Straight Down the Middleorganization Captain Fantasticgame[name withheld pending review]

Signals

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gameplay_signal: Zach repeatedly praises the exceptional shooting feel and flow, noting that even typically disliked shots (center bank drop targets) feel satisfying on this machine; describes Steve Ritchie's characteristic fast, flowy shots and ramp sequences
high · I can't unell how great this game feels to shoot, even that stupid center bank that generally I hate on games feels good
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gameplay_signal: Game features layered progression systems: Signature Stage multiballs (5 stars spelling ELTON JOHN), Milestones (4 different ways to earn, leading to Final Tour), Rocket Fuel meter, Albums collection, Awards, and hidden Champ Multiball; multiple simultaneous goals available depending on player choice
high · Multiballs do you see these five big stars right here...those are attainable we get to those you just spell Elton joh out...there's like 10 different ways to get some Milestones
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gameplay_signal: Designer and code team intentionally create moments that pause action to let players experience Elton John career highlights; Zach describes nervous anticipation and anxiety while chasing modes, indicating high emotional investment
high · Some of the most captivating moments happen on this game where the coding team and the designer they stop you and they allow you to experience special moments
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design_innovation: Signature Stage Multiball features synchronized lighting, sound design, and music; RGB LED integration throughout playfield (piano lock display, rocket topper, pop bumpers); lighting choreography explicitly praised as in-sync with audio
high · Look at the light show, look at the choreography—everything is in sync with the sound. It's fantastic...full RGB integration...hundreds probably thousands of LEDs in this thing

Transcript

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0:05

welcome back it is Zach from flipping out pinball from straight down the middle and from the pinball show today I have the pleasure of showing off Jersey Jack Pinball's newest game creation Elton John so you want my quick and dirty on this game huh first off it is quintessential Steve Richie as a game designer Steve Richie is Iconic and legendary throughout the pinball industry he has designed some of the greatest pinball machines in all of pinball history all right so you got that then you pair that with Jersey Jack Pinball's leading industry technology and before we even know what the game is about come on it's going to be a good one there are countless themes throughout the thousands of pinball machines that have ever been produced but every once in a while there are a couple themes that become iconic synonymous for the game of pinball the silver ball and over the last 50 years a pinball iconic last has emerged some may refer to him as Captain Fantastic Others May call him a pinball wizard but for the other 7 billion people here on this Earth he's simply known as Sir Elton [Music] [Applause] John stat machine feelers always playing clean he play [Music] [Applause]

1:33

Dan found the head Lots on the highway you got to let me boo I'm now

1:53

[Music] I and I think it's going to be a long long time down Rings me r get to F I'm not the man that think I am at home no no no I'm

2:27

“I love this song, so turn off the video right now. Fast forward if you don't want to see Champ Multiball. I don't know if I should turn the lights off.”

Zach Sharpe@ 25:52 — Indicates Zach wants to preserve the Champ Multiball experience for viewers to discover themselves

“It's bright, it's loud, it's a blast. It's Elton John pinball by Jersey Jack Pinball. Order yours today.”

Zach Sharpe@ 28:48 — Direct endorsement and call to action for Elton John purchases

Flipping Out Pinballorganization

Platinum Editionproduct

Collector's Editionproduct

design_innovation: Multiple animated toys: piano with RGB LED display (informational and decorative), Elton John playing piano with hand animations, Tiny Dancer spinning character, Crocodile Rock rocking mechanism, Rocket topper with RGB lighting; toys synchronized with game modes

high · Elton John himself plays a piano...he's playing the piano with with his little Elon hands...Tiny Dancer home me closer she spins around here...Crocodile Rock he'll Rock

design_innovation: The backstage shot (dead-end stop between left ramp and side ramp) was initially confusing to Zach but revealed as 'genius design'—allows ball holding for timing moments, feeds back to upper flipper for repeatable shot sequences

high · At first I was scratching my head with the shot cuz it's kind of a a dead end stop that just goes back and comes back but After experiencing over time the genius of this design

product_concern: During gameplay, Zach suspects a diverter may have interfered with his side ramp shot during Champ Multiball attempt, preventing him from qualifying it; he jokingly blames designer Carl (likely Carl Balthazar or similar JJP staff) for the machine being 'too good'

medium · I hit that side ramp shot I've been hitting it all game and I hit it and it got up there it almost felt like a diverter came out and was like no no you ain't doing this

sentiment_shift: Zach explicitly states he initially had doubts about Elton John's mass-market appeal but dramatically revised his opinion after achieving Grand Champion and experiencing the game's flow and design moments

high · Quick story I kind of changed my tune on this game the other night uh when I I gced it Grand Champion I I I was just in the zone...I had a couple moments playing this pinball machine that I very rarely anymore experience

gameplay_signal: Signature Stage multiballs increase in difficulty from left to right (1970 Hollywood to 1975 Los Angeles, etc.), with longer ball times and more complex shots required; Crocodile Rock has 2-ball first time, 3-ball second time variant

high · Keep in mind as you're playing these multi balls from left to right it basically is difficulty in a matter of speech uh longer ball times and such

gameplay_signal: Game rewards combo shots (locking side ramp balls in sequence grants Combos Milestone); hitting enough drop targets triggers different milestone types (Crocodile Rock Milestone, etc.); 4 milestones unlock Final Tour mode

high · I spotted the star that gave me the O which then lit your ball one two and three at that side ramp which I nailed in a combo so I locked ball one...I got my combos Milestone

product_strategy: At least two edition tiers visible: Platinum Edition (standard interior art, metallic trimming, glitter, topper) and Collector's Edition (higher tier with lasers and TV screen in topper); suggests premium pricing strategy for collectors

high · This is the Platinum Edition this thing already comes stock with interior art blades...there's a collector's edition above that that has like lasers and TV screen Greens in the topper

Rock the Lord he's more and more oh he's [Applause] [Music] [Applause] going we'll talk about some of the rules as we play along I want you guys to kind of figure some of it out on your own that's that's part of the fun of owning and playing a pinball machine uh but first the first thing you see on the Playfield was Beauty but let's talk about some of the key features of this game we've got a lot of ramps a lot of Steve Richie fast fast flowy shots we have three flippers two at the bottom one up top up here we have a left scoop that kicks out to the left flipper left orbit that swings all the way around same as the right orbit swinging all the way around up next you have a side ramp here with that third flipper that's a repeatable ramp shot you can also shoot up that side ramp when available to lock balls it'll divert it into the piano physically a physical ball lock within that piano uh for certain multiballs you have a left ramp in between the left ramp and the side ramp is a backstage shot at first I was scratching my head with the shot cuz it's kind of a a dead end stop that just goes back and comes back but After experiencing over time the genius of this design it can you can hold balls back there for it to have a moment uh on the screen and on the Playfield or uh whenever it does let it go it comes right back to that upper flipper for a repeatable either ramp shot or another backstage shot it's actually pretty clever you got a three Bank drop Target right in the middle there that rock rock a box you've got a right ramp hidden up there you got pop bumpers under the piano you have the crocodile shot that locks balls it's also a vck that kicks it back to your flipper right down here I don't know if you guys can see it but there's a drop Target for Rocket Man once you hit that down there's a little passageway similar to like a Medieval Madness where it catapults that ball up around the backboard around almost creature from Black Lagoon is with the with the lighting another twirl and then feeds it right onto the Playfield for an action shot right back uh into play other cool toys and features include I talked about that physical ball lock of a of a piano on the front fascia of that piano you can kind of see it here but there are little LEDs RGB that's full it's almost like a dot matrix display and it's fully informational right now it's showing fire it can show Elton John it can show text um so it it's pretty stunning that is a stunning toy there not only that but Elton John himself plays a piano you may see uh during gameplay here that he's playing the piano with with his little Elon hands uh he even turns and looks at you sometimes that's not creepy at all and then Tiny Dancer home me closer she spins around here she'll spin around crocodile he'll Rock H yeah right Crocodile Rock he rocks back and forth the rocket uh for Rocket Man over here that thing lights up like a Christmas tree actually it's better than a Christmas full RGB integration there pop bumpers that pay tribute to Captain Fantastic artwork artwork by Christopher franie there are hundreds probably thousands of LEDs in this thing this is the Platinum Edition this thing already comes stock with interior art blades rad Cals on the side with with glitter and gloss uh metallic trimming powder coating a Topper it it comes loaded and then there's a collector's edition above that that has like lasers and TV screen Greens in the topper uh it's nuts it's got glitter on the Playfield you get a different Elton John down here in his Dodgers uh Jersey or uniform enough chitty chat I'm ready to play some Elton John this is a sneaky little pin and quick story I kind of changed my tune on this game the other night uh when I I gced it Grand Champion I I I was just in the zone I was a deaf dumb and blind kid and I was just feeling the design of this game it was singing to me I was like Avatar with a creepy like hair thingy weavy thing into this pinball machine how was in it man regardless I had a couple moments playing this pinball machine that I very rarely anymore experience when playing pinball some of the most captivating moments happen on this game where the coding team and the designer they stop you and they allow you to experience special moments throughout Elton John's career I wasn't even around for the' 70s I I was still a pup in the'80s so with that being said what I would like to do today I want to show off some of the moments that I experienced during this game I'm not going to be able to show you all of them some of them are so great I I wouldn't even want to show them off uh and part of me is saying that because I'm not going to be able to get to them you know with you today just because uh they're not easy to get to some things we are going to show you today like signature stage multiballs do you see these five big stars right here yeah uh these four right here so those are those are attainable we get to those you just spell Elton joh out and you get to those um if you get to all of them then you can go to superstardom never done that Milestones you see Milestones down there you get those there's like 10 different ways to get some Milestones uh you reach those by like combo Milestone uh maybe a Crocodile Rock Milestone you can get them a number of different ways all it takes is to get four of those milestones and you get to the final tour that's the that's the big one um picture those kind of like um kind of like golden tickets on Wonka so that's kind of what that is there are other things you're trying to do as well that again the sneaky little game uh has made me fall in love with it because it's not just getting through your modes and you're done with this game there are all kinds of different things that you can do at different times depending on what you how you want to play the game uh this Rocka box right in the middle there with three drop targets it's a pain it is mean because it's right in your face uh and it it creates death for a lot of people but there's so much fun stuff in there you get albums in there and if you knock those down enough you get to what I've gotten to it's one of the greatest moments that I've experienced in pinball since since I've been in this Hobby and it's called champ multiball I don't even want to explain what it is because it's just it's it's an experience and it's an environmental experience um with you and the pinball machine it your favorite song it's cool it's really cool but to get that you have to get through like 45 sets of the it's something it's something crazy so I doubt we'll get there I hope we do oh my God so you get to pick your song whether it's the bitch's back Crocodile Rock nobody listen to that leave Philadelphia Freedom I mean come on dentist office you hear that all day