That’s right! World-famous entertainer Elton John is now center-stage at Pinball Land arcade in Rockford, MI…inside of a pinball machine. We are proud to present Jersey Jack Pinball’s masterpiece, Elton John, quite possibly the greatest pinball machine ever built by anyone ever. Let’s explore this amazing game!
Elton John is Steve Ritchie’s first game as a designer for Jersey Jack Pinball. If the name Steve Ritchie sounds familiar, it’s probably because he’s been around pinball, making hit after hit for decades. Some of Steve’s past pinball games include Flash, all three Black Knight games, High Speed, F-14 Tomcat, Terminator 2, Star Trek The Next Generation, No Fear, Elvis, AC/DC and Led Zeppelin. He’s also the voice of the Black Knight, the skull from No Fear, the devil in AC/DC and even the voice of Shao Khan from Mortal Kombat.
Steve Ritchie is as much of a legend behind a drafting table as Elton John is behind a piano.
The Jersey Jack Pinball Elton John pinball machine at Pinball Land arcade in Rockford, MI
The Elton John pinball machine is an interactive tribute to the career of the famous musician and the designer who created the game. It combines both Elton and Steve’s signature styles in a seamless harmony that has to be played to be appreciated.
Game Features
The game features all of the shots you’ve come to love from Steve Ritchie games including “the tube” shot on the far left (as seen on No Fear, Led Zeppelin and many more), backhandable ramps (like in Terminator 2 and Stern’s Star Trek,) and the crucial side-ramp shot (from High Speed, Black Knight 2000, Star Trek, No Fear, etc.) There’s even spinners in front of the two main ramps like in the original Black Knight
And, in a Jersey Jack first, the flippers feel like flippers! Those spinners in front of the ramps feel like showing off how snappy and powerful these flippers truly are, absolutely hanging with Stern’s responsiveness and strength.
Ramps, targets, spinners, crocodiles! There’s so much to do in the Elton John pinball machine!
The shots and returns are fast but fair and the light show and sound package continuously rewarding. Even if you don’t know what you’re doing, you will have a tremendously good time playing the Elton John pinball machine. Playing this game is good for you!
As an added bit of fun, at the end of your game, if you achieved a high score, the game will snap your photo! Then watch the photo parade – your face might just be on it wearing some wild and crazy Elton glasses!
All in all, Elton John pinball makes you feel great. Like the game throws a little party, just for you, each and every time you step up to play. It’s extremely special.
The feeling of playing Elton John pinball is accurately captured in this trailer by Jersey Jack. Give it a watch, play the game, then tell me I’m wrong!
Elton John Pinball Game Tips
Here are some game play tips to get you to boost your high scores and get that photo!
At the start of the ball, time your plunge to collect the lit skill shot award shown in the shooter lane. If you short plunge and shoot either the backstage or the side ramp you will score a super skill shot. Full-plunge and shoot any drop target to quickly collect an album. Collect albums to qualify “Encore Modes” which are your ticket to Champ Multiball. More on that later!
You can select your song at the start of the game! Use the flipper buttons to page through a number of hit tunes including Crocodile Rock, Tiny Dancer, Levon, Benny and the Jets, I’m Still Standing and more! Once you choose your song, simply plunge the ball – don’t push the start button again!!
There’s nothing like stepping up to the Elton John pinball machine at Pinball Land. It’s a very special game.
During each song, shoot the flashing shots to qualify wardrobe items at the backstage shot. Collect all the wardrobe items for a huge score boost!
Shoot the Tiny Dancer target under the Tiny Dancer figurine to light lock at the crocodile. Lock 2 balls at the crocodile (3 on subsequent plays) for Crocodile Rock Multiball!
Collect fuel by completing tasks throughout the game. After collecting enough fuel, shoot the far right shot to start Rocketman Multiball! Rocketman Multiball can be combined with Crocodile Rock Multiball for a really good time! If you can pull this off watch the screen (if you can!) — the rockin’ crocs will be riding rockets around the screen!
Spell ELTON JOHN by collecting all 9 stars scattered across the playfield (essentially shooting every shot) to light lock at the side ramp. Lock 3 balls in the piano to start a Signature Stage Multiball!
Lock balls in Elton’s piano while his hands play and he looks around – but don’t take your eye off the ball to watch his performance for long!
Shoot the drop target bank in the center of the playfield to collect “albums.” Each album corresponds to a different award – the fifth award unlocks five timed “encore modes.” These Encore Modes refer to a specific area of the game: spinners, targets, jet bumpers, the “backstage” shot and the side “piano ramp.”
After you play all five Encore Modes, the absolutely mind-blowing Champ Multiball will be qualified. Shoot the side ramp to activate Champ Multiball once all the Encore Modes are finished and prepare to have the time of your life!
Elton John Performing Daily at Pinball Land
Everyone here at Pinball Land is absolutely ga-ga for the Elton John machine so there is basically no chance we’re ever going to get rid of it. It’s going to be a fixture in our collection forever, so no matter when you can make the time for a trip out to Rockford, MI to visit Pinball Land, Elton will be here for you.
He’s still standing.
