Spongebob Squarepants

Pinball News Website·article·analyzed·Dec 14, 2007

Analysis

claude-haiku-4-5-20251001 · $0.013

TL;DR

SpongeBob digital pinball cabinet announced by 21st Century Entertainment for $4,495.

Summary

21st Century Entertainment announced Soccer Shot Pinball, a digital pinball machine featuring SpongeBob SquarePants characters, released in December 2007. The machine is a virtual pinball cabinet (similar to Ultrapin) rather than traditional mechanical pinball, designed for family entertainment centers and home use, with playfield mechanics licensed from Gottlieb's 1975 Pin-Up game.

Key Claims

Soccer Shot Pinball is a digital/virtual pinball machine in the style of Ultrapin, not a traditional mechanical pinball
high confidence · Article explicitly contrasts with traditional mechanical machines and describes flat screen monitor with virtual playfield simulation by Wildsnake Software
Machine dimensions are 68 inches high by 26 inches wide by 46 inches deep, weighing 250 pounds
high confidence · Specific measurements provided in the article
Playfield design is licensed from Gottlieb's 1975 game Pin-Up
high confidence · Article states 'apparently licensed from D. Gottlieb, based on their 1975 game Pin-Up'
Machine features adjustable legs to accommodate younger players
high confidence · Article notes 'the machine's legs can be adjusted to make it lower than a regular pinball machine' and that it is 'clearly aimed at kids'
Retail price is $4,495 with availability expected at end of January 2008
high confidence · Specific pricing and availability date provided in article

Notable Quotes

“Pinball fans have long been asking about the possibility of a SpongeBob Squarepants game and now, one company has brought the undersea character into the pinball world”
Article author — Establishes community demand for SpongeBob IP in pinball
“This is not a traditional mechanical pinball machine at all but more in the style of the Ultrapin game, with a flat screen monitor displaying a virtual pinball playfield”
Article author — Key clarification that this is digital/virtual pinball, not mechanical
“Although this may make a good home machine, it is definitely aimed at family entertainment centres too as a fully functional coin-operated game”
Article author — Indicates dual market positioning: home and commercial FEC markets

Entities

21st Century EntertainmentcompanyWildsnake SoftwarecompanyBMI GamingcompanyPinball SalescompanyGottliebcompanyUltrapinproductPin-UpgameSpongeBob SquarePantsproduct

Signals

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licensing_signal: SpongeBob SquarePants IP licensed for pinball game, indicating animation/children's IP interest in pinball market
high · Article describes 'Soccer Shot Pinball from 21st Century Entertainment' featuring SpongeBob character
$
market_signal: Pricing at $4,495 positions digital pinball as accessible alternative to traditional mechanical machines (typically $7,000+)
high · Retail price of $4,495 noted for digital cabinet targeting family entertainment centers and home market
?
announcement: 21st Century Entertainment announces Soccer Shot Pinball with SpongeBob SquarePants IP for release in January 2008
high · Article dated December 14, 2007 announcing 'forthcoming Soccer Shot Pinball' with availability 'expected at the end of January 2008'
?
technology_signal: Digital/virtual pinball cabinet (Ultrapin-style) rather than traditional mechanical pinball, representing alternative pinball technology approach
high · Article explicitly states 'This is not a traditional mechanical pinball machine at all but more in the style of the Ultrapin game, with a flat screen monitor displaying a virtual pinball playfield'

Topics

Digital/Virtual Pinball TechnologyprimaryLicensed IP in PinballprimaryFamily Entertainment Centers / FEC MarketprimaryCoin-op / Redemption GamessecondaryHome Pinball MarketsecondaryClassic Pinball Licensing (Gottlieb)secondaryPricing and Distributionsecondary

Sentiment

neutral(0.5)— Article is straightforward product announcement with factual descriptions. No strong positive or negative language, though phrasing such as 'may make a good home machine' is mildly positive.

Transcript

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Date: 14th December 2007. Pinball fans have long been asking about the possibility of a SpongeBob Squarepants game and now, one company has brought the undersea character into the pinball world with the forthcoming Soccer Shot Pinball from 21st Century Entertainment. A closer look reveals this is not a traditional mechanical pinball machine at all but more in the style of the Ultrapin game, with a flat screen monitor displaying a virtual pinball playfield and computer simulation created by Wildsnake Software. The machine is smaller that a regular pinball, measuring 68 inches high by 26 inches wide by 46 inches deep, weighing in at 250 pounds. It is clearly aimed at kids, so the machine's legs can be adjusted to make it lower than a regular pinball machine. Unlike Ultrapin, there is only one display so all scoring is shown on the playfield. The playfield design is a fairly simple one with 2 kick-out saucers, 4 flippers and a bank of 10 drop targets, and it is apparently licensed from D. Gottlieb, based on their 1975 game Pin-Up. But although this may make a good home machine, it is definitely aimed at family entertainment centres too as a fully functional coin-operated game, and can be operated either in amusement mode or as a redemption game paying out tickets. Once the initial version has been released - which is expected fairly soon - the creators plan a second version with new characters to extend the product's interest and life span. The new machine will be available on-line exclusively from BMI Gaming and Pinball Sales at a retail price of $4495 with availability expected at the end of January 2008. Back to the News page Back to the front page