Ripley’s Believe It or Not! Pinball Machine by Stern – A Bizarre and Brilliant Pinball Classic

Step into a world of strange discoveries, unbelievable facts, and challenging pinball action with the Ripley’s Believe It or Not! Pinball Machine by Stern. Released in 2004, this unique Stern pinball machine was designed by legendary pinball designer Pat Lawlor, the creative force behind celebrated games such as The Addams Family and Twilight Zone. Combining an unusual licensed theme with deep rules and interactive playfield features, Ripley’s Believe It or Not! is an excellent choice for collectors and players looking for a distinctive modern-era pinball machine.

Explore Seven Continents Through Pinball

The central concept of this Stern pinball machine is exploration. Players travel with legendary adventurer Robert Ripley across seven continents, encountering strange, bizarre, and unusual discoveries along the way. Each continent represents a different gameplay challenge, creating a journey that develops as the player progresses.

The objective involves completing continent-based modes and collecting the letters in R-I-P-L-E-Y-S. Successfully completing the seven main modes unlocks the mysterious eighth continent, providing an additional goal for experienced players. This layered progression gives the game considerable replay value and encourages players to learn the table rather than simply chase random points.

Designed by Pinball Legend Pat Lawlor

The Stern Ripley’s Believe It or Not! pinball machine features design by Pat Lawlor, with Louis Koziarz also contributing to the design and software. John Youssi created the artwork, Adam Rhine worked on the animations, John Krutsch handled mechanical engineering, and Chris Granner created the music and sound. The result is a highly characterful game that combines visual humor, mechanical interaction, and a sophisticated ruleset.

Produced on Stern’s modified Whitestar platform, the machine features a dot-matrix display and supports up to four players. Stern produced approximately 2,750 units, giving this 2004 pinball machine a relatively limited production run compared with many mass-market arcade titles.

Unusual Playfield Features

One of the biggest attractions of Ripley’s Believe It or Not! is its collection of unusual physical features. A shrunken head sits prominently on the playfield and incorporates a powerful magnet that can capture the ball before sending it back into play. The game also includes a mysterious idol with its own magnetic feature, a temple, a vari-target, ramps, bumpers, targets, and other interactive elements.

The Temple is particularly important because players can use its jewel grid and code system to pursue awards. The vari-target adds another challenging shot, while the ramps help advance several objectives throughout the game.

Exciting Multiball Action

For players who enjoy fast-paced pinball, the game offers several multiball opportunities. The main multiball sequence involves building toward ball locks and then using the shrunken head to activate the feature. During multiball, players can target different jackpot shots and work toward a valuable Super Jackpot.

The game also incorporates continent modes, some of which feature two-ball multiball challenges. This mixture of standard play, timed modes, and multiball objectives makes each game feel different and rewards players who understand the table’s deeper rules.

A Pinball Machine for Beginners and Experts

Stern specifically designed Ripley’s Believe It or Not! to appeal to both casual players and experienced pinball enthusiasts. Its signature “Believe It or Not” rule system uses multiple levels of objectives, allowing newer players to achieve meaningful goals while giving skilled players opportunities to extend those achievements through better gameplay.

This makes the machine especially attractive for a home game room where different players may have very different levels of pinball experience.

Eye-Catching Collector Appeal

Beyond its gameplay, the Ripley’s Believe It or Not! pinball machine has plenty of visual personality. The colorful artwork, shrunken-head feature, temple, animated dot-matrix display, and unusual playfield arrangement give it a distinctive appearance that stands out from more conventional pinball themes.

Its relatively small production run and association with Pat Lawlor also make it an interesting addition to a collection of classic Stern machines. For buyers searching for a Ripley’s Believe It or Not! pinball machine for sale, condition is particularly important when evaluating a vintage example. Playfield wear, electronics, display condition, ramps, plastics, mechanisms, and cabinet artwork should all be carefully inspected.

UK and European Buyer Considerations

Stern notes that North American machines operate on 60-cycle electricity only and are not designed to operate in 50-cycle countries, including the UK and much of Europe. Buyers importing a machine should therefore verify its regional electrical configuration before purchasing. Interestingly, UK-export versions were also fitted with additional skill posts to satisfy historical UK import-tax requirements.

Own an Unbelievable Piece of Stern Pinball History

The Ripley’s Believe It or Not! Pinball Machine by Stern combines Pat Lawlor’s inventive game design with one of the world’s most recognizable curiosity brands. With seven continent modes, multiball challenges, the iconic shrunken head, magnetic features, Temple objectives, a vari-target, dot-matrix animation, and a limited production run, it offers an entertaining and highly distinctive pinball experience.

For collectors searching for a Stern Ripley’s Believe It or Not! pinball machine, a 2004 vintage pinball machine, or an unusual addition to a home arcade, this table delivers a compelling combination of nostalgia, challenging gameplay, collectible appeal, and unmistakable Ripley’s personality.