This list of pinball innovations highlights the most cutting-edge creations to come about as a result of the classic arcade game. Many of us grew up playing the addictive arcade must-have, which is what makes the various modifications and updates so heart-warming.
In addition to modern technological updates, pinball has been the focus of a number of viral marketing campaigns as well as the center of numerous art-based projects. Some have taken old machines and retrofitted them as pieces of furniture to keep the spirit of the game alive. Moreover, avid pinball wizards can continue playing without the large arcade inhabitant because a few companies have created tablet add-ons that simulate a scaled down gaming experience. Whether you're an avid fan of the little silver ball or just appreciate a good throwback, these pinball innovations will have you scouring the couch for quarters.
25 Playful Pinball Innovations
From Pinball-Based Art Projects to Arcade Furniture Creations:
Michael Hemsworth — Jan 24, 2013 — Tech
25
Life-Sized Pinball Machines
Modular Exhibits New Lighting in an Innovative Way
24
Pinball Projections
The Sony 3D Projection is Themed "Imagine Football in 3D"
23
Na'vi Gaming Machines
The Avatar Pinball Machine is a Playable Recreation of Pandora
22
Playable Tweeting Apps
The Evian Melotweet App Lets Users Interact via Musical Droplets
21
Toy-Inspired Retro Games
The LEGO NXT Pinball Machine is for Building and Pinball Wizards
20
Classic Game Upgrades
The Nike World Cup 'Write the Future' Digital Pinball is Totally Awesome
19
Portable Arcade Tablet Apps
The iPad Pinball Game Console is Like a Mini Arcade Machine
18
Techno Tables
A Computer Converted into a Partytastic Countertop
17
Ultimate Mind Games
The Brain-Controlled Pinball Machine at the ceBIT Technology Fair
16
Chaotic Pinball Art
Sam van Doorn Creates Chaotic Art Using Pinball Physics
15
Arcade Furniture Creations
The Pinball Coffee Table Brings the Arcade to Your Living Room
14
Retro Gamer Diners
The Pinball Cafe Brings Back Old-School Games
13
Electric Magnetic Foosball
Kick It
12
Pinball-Based Art Projects
Sam Van Doorn's STYN Turns Quick Reflexes into Stunning Works of Art
11
Voodoo Pinball Characters
Rocksauce Studios Presents a Slightly Creepy Design
10
Humanized Arcade Games
Person Pinball Replaces Pinballs and Bumpers With People
9
Arcade Game Add-Ons
Pinball Magic Turns Your iPhone into a Working Pinball Table
8
Arcade Appcessories
Pinball Magic for iPads Transforms the Tablet Back to Classic Gaming
7
Auto Pinball Promotions
'The Parisian Pinball Park' Does Not Award Excellence
6
Real-Life Retro Gaming
The Pinball Machine Skate Park Brings the Classic Arcade Game to Reality
5
Rock 'n' Roll Arcade Games
The Rolling Stones Pinball Machine is a Fun Tribute
4
DIY Pinball Tables
Seamster Uses Scraps to Create Ultimate Arts & Crafts Project
3
Heavy Metal Arcade Apps
AC/DC Pinball Will Have Fans Playing All Night Long
2
Battle-Bot Arcade Games
Rack up the Points Cyberton Style with the Transformers Pinball Machine
1
Superhero Pinball Machines
The Stern 'Iron Man' Home Cabinet is for Hardcore Fans
Related Ideas
Upcycled Waste Material Furniture
This Cardboard Furniture Design by Lee Lin is Modular
Batman-Themed Kitchen Appliances
Paul Parsons Creates Themed Kitchen Appliance Concepts
Nostalgic Gaming Timepieces
The Retro Gaming Watch Brings Gameplay to the Wrist
Industrial Handheld Gaming Consoles
The Conceptual PocketMan P1 Has Exposed Components
Folding All-in-One Entertainment Systems
The PlayStation Capsule by Alisher Ashimov is Retro
Pocket-Friendly Games Consoles
The 'PiBoy Mini' Offers Retro Gaming In a Portable Package
Retro 90s Arcade Games
The Arcade1Up X-Men '97 Cabinet Features Eight Classic Titles
DIY Wooden Pinball Puzzles
The ROKR 3D Pinball Machine 3D Wooden Puzzle is Interactive
Psychedelic Light Projectors
Kino retro projector inspired by psychedelic bands
Curvaceous Bench-Style Coffee Tables
The 'Shell' Table by Deniz Aktay is Chic Yet Strong
Retro Vibrant Furniture Series
IKEA Unveils the Nytillverkad Collection Nodding to its Past
Turntable-Inspired Coaster Sets
The NeedleDrop Coaster Set Includes Four Acrylic LPs and More
Multifunctional Living Room Tables
This Aliving Coffee Table Doesn't Require Tools to Build
Retro Transparent Cassette Players
NINM Lab Unveils the Nostalgic It's Real Cassette Player
Modular Working Desks
The Tabs Desk by Pelin ÖZbalcı Streamlines Organization & Productivity
Sculpted One-Piece Coffee Tables
The 'Pelican' Coffee Table by Deniz Aktay is Artistic
AI Beer Vending Machines
Panhead Custom Ales Created a Machine That Gives Beer to Guitarists
Conscious Experimental Furniture Designs
Vaarnii's Whimsical Furniture Was Presented at Tableau
High-Tech Eco-Conscious Furniture
The WoodenWood Project Upcycles and Utilizes Robotic Printing
Board Game Coffee Tables
The Scrabble Coffee Table from Charles River Woodwork is Rustic
Sleek Multipurpose Crib Furniture
Zhipeng Qiu and Yufeng Lin Present a Unique Chair-Crib Design
Creative Play Pop-Ups
The Sharpie Studio Offered Opportunities for Creativity at SXSW
Bookshelf Board Games
These Classic Board Games are Disguised as Vintage Books
Gaming-First Furniture Collections
Ikea's 'Brännboll' Collection is Minimalist And Comfortable
Tubular Literature Storage Racks
The 'Interspace' Magazine Rack by Deniz Aktay is Multifunctional
Nostalgic Mobile Gamer Devices
The Retroid Pocket Flip Has a Throwback, Clamshell Design
Wine Storage Side Tables
The 'Roll' Side Table by Ricardo Sá Has a Leather Storage Sling
Repurposed Vintage Apple Computers
Aquariums, lamps, and clocks made out of Apple iMac Computers
Video Game-Inspired Side Tables
The Pac Man Side Table by Yu Ren Gives Life to an Inanimate Object
Minimalist Book Storage Tables
The 'Pocket' Coffee Table by Deniz Aktay is Split Open
Arcade-Style Gaming Controllers
The Octopus Arcade Stick Brings the Arcade to the Living Room
AI-Fueled Wearable Pins
The Humane AI Pin is Packed with Various Assistive Tech Tools
Gaming Console Coffee Tables
The Backyard Resin Mario Cart Coffee Table Mimics the Nintendo Switch
Recycled Mini Golf Courses
Lab La Bla Made a Miniature Golf Course with Denim & Wine Corks
Kid-Envisioned Urban Environments
The Little Big Playmat Takes a Creative Path to Design Problems
Connected Digital Game Boards
'The Last Gameboard' is an Interactive Digital Board Game Platform
Creativity Time Capsules
Crayola's Campaign for Creativity Reunites Adults with Childhood Art
Professional Social Media Games
LinkedIn Released Three Games to Build Connections on its Platform
Luxury Transparent Game Tables
The Effetto 71 Ping Pong Table is Made with Glass and Steel
Ambient Tabletop Gamer Lights
The Bowio Game Light Brightens Up Tabletops and More
4K Display Arcade Games
The AtGames Legends 4KP Digital Pinball Machine Has Virtual Design
Monetizable Mobile Gaming Apps
'Playbite' Enables Players to Win Gift Cards and Prizes
Oozing Cake-Like Furniture Designs
The 'Roll Furniture' Makes Use of Discarded Materials
Transforming Imaginative Furniture Designs
The Kiddie Couch Encourages a Sense of Play
Dollhouse-Inspired Furniture
The Barbie x Joybird Collab Embraces the Barbiecore Aesthetic
Playful Furniture Exhibits
SFMOMA Presents Conversation Pieces: Contemporary Furniture in Dialogue
Contemporary Vertical Turntables
ToVerse Unveils a New Dynamic Streaming Turntable Design
Artful Table Tennis Furniture
These NEDJ Ping Pong Tables Maintain a Quirky Form
Adjustable Playful Table Lamps
Flos Presents Two Sets of Lamps during Milan Design Week 2023
Geometric Design Toys
The Little Toy by Eames Office Has Been Revived After Six Decades
Tiny Washing Machines
Inventus Uses Coca Cola Cans to Create This Functional Washing Machine
Kintsugi-Inspired Piggy Banks
The 'Penny' Piggy Bank by Dario Narvaez Can Be Reassembled
Nostalgic Handheld Gaming Systems
My Arcade Gamestation Portable Has Retro-Style Controls
Origami-Inspired Lit Table Concepts
Sonakshi Gupta Designs the Dynamic LightUP Concept
Nature-Inspired Indoor Playgrounds
Sarit Shani Hay Designs a New Playground in Tel Aviv
First-Person Vintage-Inspired Games
Mouse is a New Shooter Game Inspired by Vintage Disney
Arcade Game Puzzle Sets
LEGO Presents its new Pac-Man Arcade Set with 2,650 Pieces
Award-Winning Colorful Lights
Monica Pinto de Almeida's U Table Lamp is Minimalist & Eye-Cathing
Computer Symbol-Inspired Watch Designs
Anicorn Watches Releases the Spinning Beach Ball Watch
Board Game-Themed Fashions
The Shoe Palace x Monopoly Collection Includes an Array of Styles
Pink-Hued Furniture Collaborations
The Barbie x Kartell Chairs Mark the Toy's 65th Anniversary
Space-Themed Home Decor Collection
IKEA Introduces its new Cosmic AFTONSPARV Collection
Pool Noodle-Inspired Furniture
Lieyah Dagan Designs the Loop Furniture for Indoor and Outdoor
App-Enabled Party Games
Twister Air Takes a Digitized Approach to the Classic Pastime
3D Puzzle Popcorn Machines
Dimexart Creates an Intricate Popcorn Machine from LEGO Blocks
Intelligent Portable Board Games
Kai Xia Designs the EIFplay Chessboard with a Digital Approach
Pod-Inspired Bulbous Furniture
One Week Presents Its New Pod Collection of Furniture
Organized Gaming Storage Cabinets
Bauhutte Presents a Special Cabinet for Game Accessories
Collaborative Cottage Chairs
Sue Bird and Corona Collaborated on the “Finer Recliner”
Cinematic Shark Pinball Games
The Stern Pinball JAWS Pinball Machine Comes in Three Models
Vinyl Record-Catering Furniture Series
Montana Furniture Presents the SPIN Collection
Color-Changing Eccentric Turntables
Brian Eno Designs the Turntable II with Unpredictable Patterns
Gen Z-Focused Board Games
Mattel Launches Scrabble Together for Non-Competitive Gen Z Consumers
Nostalgic Motion Games
Hungry Hungry Hippos: Move N' Munch Reimagines a Classic Game with AI Tech
Rolled-Up Wooden Tables
The Sofan Table by Qi An Has a Clever Rollable Design for Portability
Sleek Artful Accessible Furniture
ThirdKind Presents its Abigail Collection of Furniture
Modernized Nostalgic Gaming Consoles
The Atari Gamestation Pro Features More Than 200 Games
Playful Interactive Galleries
PLAY by American Express Platinum Reimagines Toys as Art Pieces
Survivalist Series Slot Machines
The Squid Game Slot Machine Will Arrive in Casinos in 2024
Boozy Backyard Games
Beer Darts is an Engaging Spin on Traditional Backyard Games
At-Home Gameshow Slot Machines
The Arcade1Up Wheel Of Fortune Casinocade Deluxe Has Four Games
Retro Arcade Circuit Boards
Atari Debujts a Series of Retro Circuit Boards for its Modern Audience
Modular Arcade Gaming Systems
The Polycade Sente System is an Innovative Gaming Design
Architecture-Inspired Turntables
Jorge Paez Designs the Reinterpreted RYTM Turntable
Pizza-Themed Arcade Games
Mike’s Hot Honey Launched an 80s-Inspired Game Called Slice Hunter
Asia-Honoring Artisanal Handmade Designs
IKEA Presents its MÄVINN Collection Celebrates Asia
AR Furniture Testing Features
Pinterest Lets Users View Virtual Furniture in their Homes
Challenging Sensory Games
Toy Mania's Quick Pops Feature Four Game Modes
Intelligent Wireless Charging Devices
The Carousel Series by Pablo Designs Features Two Pieces
Miniature Retro Consoles
The Atari 400 is Downsized for the Modern Era in 'THE 400 MINI'
Squishy Fortune-Telling Toys
This Fortune Teller Squish Ball Reveals Answers with a Squeeze
Cultural Heritage-Inspired Stool Designs
Mohamed El-Haddad Designs the El Nahla Stool
Reimagined Retro Gaming Consoles
The Atari 2600+ Console Brings Back a Classic 1980 System
ASMR-Inspired Soothing Toys
These Sensory Motion Bubblers Visually Create Calm
Fast-Paced Challenge Games
Pop Off!'s Coasters, Cups and Balls Offer Over 50 Ways to Play
Modern Chromatic Billiards Collection
Nuevepies Designs the New Monocolor Billiards Collection
Fashion Doll Board Games
Hasbro's Monopoly: Barbie Edition Has Players Build a Dreamhouse
70s-Inspired Structural Furniture
Nouveau Standard Creates the Collection 12 of Retro Designs
Celebratory Puzzle Toys
The 50th Anniversary Rubik's Cube Commemorates Five Decades of Play
Multifunctional Sleek Oak Furniture
The Team at Kosmos Architects Design the Dice Furniture
Gaming Ads-Inspired Video Games
D3 Publisher and Monkeycraft Present the Ironic Those Games
AI Board Game Robots
SenseTime's AI-Powered Robot Helps Players Strategize
AI-Powered Beverage Dispensers
Pubinno Smart Tap Provides Perfect Quality for Draft Beer Systems
Beer-Dispensing Guitar Machines
The 'Slay to Pay' Vending Machine is Activated by a Guitar Game
Micro Tabletop Arcade Games
The Coleco Revival Mini Arcade Machines Pack the Latest Technologies
AI-Enabled Cabinet Capsules
Amin Saadat Designs a New Collection of Dynamic Furniture
Retro Social App Devices
Edwar Banquet Designs the Retro Instagram Gadget with a Console Shape
Vintage Projector Puzzle Kits
The LEGO Magic Lantern by Norders is a Functional Projector
Mash-Up Board Games
Monopoly Scrabble by Winning Moves Games Combines Two Classics
Wine-Catered Vibrant Artful Tables
Gustaf Westman Designs the Wine Table in a Bright Tone
Mechanical Vintage Dice Designs
W&M Levsha Creates a Trigger-Activated Die with Vintage Themes
Design-Conscious Arcade Games
The Reigning Champ Home Court Arcade Basketball Game is Minimalist
Dynamic Coffee Table Concepts
Miguel Pinheira Designs the Colorful Ryb Coffee Table Concept
General Store-Inspired Consoles
Lisa Sacco Presents the New Haptic Wood Console Table
Retro Phone-Inspired Label Makers
102 Design Lab Presents the Vintage Phone Labeling Machine
Adult Board Game Campaigns
Hasbro and Ageless Innovation Rebrand Childhood Games for Adults
Game-Inspired Large Scale Cabinets
The New Donkey Kong Arcade Cabinet Will Be Available to Play
Restaurant-Transformed Eyewear Stores
EBBA Architects Designs a New Store for Cubitts
Miniature Dance Game Cabinets
Zuiki Unveiled a New Miniature Dance Dance Revolution Game
Anniversary-Honoring Sleek Turntables
Jony Ive Presents a New Celebratory Linn Sondek LP12-50
Connected Training Baseballs
The Playfinity Backyard League Smart Gaming Baseball is App-Enabled
Expanding Nostalgic Furniture Collections
IKEA's Nytillverkad Collection Launched New Pieces
Home Mobility Accessible Furniture
Capella Design Creates Furniture that Blend Style and Function
Cork-Base Spinning Lamps
Pelin Özbalcı Designs the Multifunctional Cork sPINmemo Lamp
Digitized Board Game Consoles
This Smartphone-Controlled System Displays Board Games On Your TV
Stool-Inspired Design Exhibitions
Daisuke Motogi Presents the Hackability of the Stool Show
Retro Basketball Arcade James
Arcade1Up Presents Two New NBA Jam Cabinet Game Consoles
Handheld Cartridge-Style Consoles
The 'Super Pocket' is a Portable Game Console with Themed Skins
Life-Exploring Colorful Furniture
Arper Presents Five New Collections of Vibrant Furniture
Love Lock-Inspired Coffee Tables
Adrián M. Almonacid Designs the 4E Coffee Table
Artfully Crafted Basketball Games
Reigning Champ and Calen Knauf Design the Home Court
Task-Managing Dynamic Lamps
The Fall Lamp Concept is Made to Keep Users Focused and Productive
Contemporary Rocking Chair Designs
Audo Designs the Sleek Mid-Century Penguin Rocking Chair
Playful Toy-Inspired Exhibits
The Eames Institute of Infinite Curiosity Debuts Toys & Play Exhibit
Virtual Table Top Games
TinyTable Combines the Joy of Table Top Games with Virtual Video Calls
Table Design Exhibitions
Eames Institute of Infinite Curiosity Debuts Tables, Tables, Tables
Galactic-Inspired Stationary Pins
Duncan Shotton Designs the Adorable Planet Pins
Playing Cards-Inspired Tables
Mario Martinez Designs the Hito Table for Karl Andersson & Söner
Arcade-Style Game Machines
Andamiro USA Launches the 'Crazy Toy 31' Game Machine
Playful Dynamic Furniture Capsule
Another Human Presents the New Galliforms Collection