1984–1986 · Williams & Taito & Unidesa
Space Shuttle
Known for Spinner lane drop targets, Side locks and USA top lanes. Deep blue-black starfield, curve of the earth from below with white cloud swirls, mottled orange-yellow planet at upper right and black space with scattered small white star dots.
- Years
- 1984–1986
- Maker
- Williams & Taito & Unidesa
- Type
- Solid state
- Display
- Alphanumeric
- Players
- 4
Known for
- Drop target
Spinner lane drop targets
- Lock
Side locks
- Lane
USA top lanes
3 games under this title
On the playfield
Ramp 1
- Dead-end right ramp
Lock 1
- Side locks
Drop targets 2
- Center drop target
- Spinner lane drop targets
Target 1
- SHUTTLE targets
Lane 1
- USA top lanes
Posts and gates 2
- Head Shield post
- Right out lane gate gate
On the backglass
Who and what
- vehicle One white space shuttle orbiter in three-quarter view, nose to the left, black cockpit windows, nasa lettering on the upper wing, united states text with a small flag decal mid-fuselage, 'defender' in small black type near the nose, striped us flag on the lower wing, tall vertical tail fin to the right, ribbed engine bell with a long orange-yellow flame plume trailing off the right side. no crew figures are drawn.
- other The earth below, occupying the bottom third as a blue and white clouded sphere, partly cropped by the lower edge.
Setting
- Deep blue-black starfield
- Curve of the earth from below with white cloud swirls
- Mottled orange-yellow planet at upper right
- Black space with scattered small white star dots
Text on it
- Williams
- SPACE SHUTTLE
- PINBALL ADVENTURE
- 473250
- Defender
- NASA
- United States
- GAME OVER
- MATCH
How it plays
-
Multiballs 2
- Two-ball multiball 2-ball
- Three-ball multiball 3-ball
-
Awards 1
- Spot Shuttle Letter
Made by
- Design
- Barry Oursler
- Design
- Joe Kaminkow
- Art
- Mark Sprenger
- Software
- Larry DeMar
- Sound
- Eugene Jarvis
- Sound
- Bill Parod
Reference
Linked terms
- Center drop target also called Shooting the T
- Spinner lane drop targets also called spinner three-bank also called narrow three-bank
- Side locks also called curved side lanes also called lock saucers
- Dead-end right ramp also called right ramp
- USA top lanes also called USA
- Head Shield also called center post
Playfield vision analysis
Written by a machine from the photos, so details may be off.
Playfield Standard
- blue
- orange
- white
- red
Fingerprint: Space Shuttle Flight, white space shuttle model angled nose-down above red three-bumper cluster under arched MISSION CONTROL lettering, chunky orange-gold 3D title across upper middle, white-suited astronauts floating over orange-yellow scaffolding, curved orbit ramp with lamp row at top right
A white space shuttle model mounted high on the playfield, angled nose-down towards a red three-pop-bumper cluster, under the arched lettering MISSION CONTROL. The huge orange-gold 3D block title SPACE SHUTTLE FLIGHT across the upper middle, with the white-and-gold text SCORE INCREASES BY VALUE and a bank of six green-lit 3X round targets beneath it. Two mirrored white-suited astronauts with blue visors floating at mid-left and mid-right over orange-yellow scaffolding. A curved clear orbit ramp with a line of small lamps arcing down the top right, and two cream MANUAL / FOR AMUSEMENT ONLY cards printed on the lower playfield itself.
Setting
- Outer space star field
- Dark navy-to-black sky with scattered white dots
- Orange-yellow industrial scaffold structures at mid left and mid right
- Mirrored symmetrical playfield layout
Symbols
- Playing-card-style suit pips on the red bumper caps
- Lettering mission control in a white arc
- Curved white lettering around a circular badge
- Red w crown emblem on yellow disc
- Downward-pointing red chevrons at bottom right
- Cross-hatched metal grating pattern behind the target bank
Notable shapes
- Arched mission control banner over the title
- Circular blue-and-red badge below the title
- Rectangular cream instruction cards printed on the playfield surface
- Red chevron stack on the lower right apron strip
Art motifs
- Star field
- Mirrored symmetry
- Orange-yellow girders and scaffolding
- Airbrushed glow around lit inserts
Themes
- Spaceflight
- Orbital space station
- Space shuttle
- Astronaut training
- Countdown
Title on it
- Space shuttle flight
Text on it
- SPACE SHUTTLE FLIGHT
- MISSION CONTROL
- SPARE
- SCORE INCREASES BY VALUE
- AND RAISE HIGH THE SHIELD
- 2X LOCK ADVANCES TO WARP
- REMOTE
- COMPUTER SPACE
- SPACE SHUTTLE FLIGHT MANUAL
- TO: NEW ASTRONAUTS
- BRAVO PILOT (ALPHA)
- TOP G SCORE
- EAT SHIELD
- WINNER
- SINCERELY
- FOR AMUSEMENT ONLY
- 1 PLAY
- 25¢
- 3 Balls Per Play
- Williams
- Lane Changer
- Right Flipper
- START
| Kind | Description |
|---|---|
| Other | White space shuttle model mounted near the top, nose angled down-left, with two stacked solid-rocket boosters and swept delta wings |
| Vehicle | Three red round pop bumpers clustered at top left in a triangular arrangement, each with a lit ring |
| Other | Two astronauts in bulky white pressure suits with round gold-tinted helmets and blue-tinted visors, arms and legs splayed as if floating, one at mid-left and one at mid-right, painted over orange-yellow framework |
| Other | Curved clear plastic orbit ramp at top right carrying a line of small round lamps along its length |
| Other | Chrome ball-guide rail and wire guide sweeping in from the right side of the upper playfield |
| Other | Yellow circular disc at bottom centre carrying a red angular crown-like w emblem on a red-and-yellow sunburst |
Full-length playfield seen under glass from slightly above, star-field of small white dots on a very dark navy-to-black background. Layout runs bottom-heavy: a white space shuttle model and a red three-bumper pop cluster at the top left, a curved clear plastic orbit ramp with a row of small round lamps arcing down the top right, and a chrome ball-guide rail sweeping in from the right edge. Mid playfield the title SPACE SHUTTLE FLIGHT appears in chunky orange-gold outlined block capitals, preceded by the smaller white arc text MISSION CONTROL. Below the title a round blue badge with red-and-gold centre carries curved white lettering around it, flanked by two black tabs reading SPARE. A row of round ringed targets under the text SCORE INCREASES BY VALUE sits above six illuminated green-teal round targets, each printed 3X, and a 4-by-5 grid of cream-coloured circular targets carrying 5, 10, 15, 25 and 50 values. Two white-suited astronauts with blue-tinted visors float at mid left and mid right over orange-yellow structurework. Dominant colours: dark navy-blue, orange-gold, white, red. Two cream paper instruction cards sit on the lower playfield, flanking a yellow disc with a red crown-like W emblem.
Backglass vision analysis
Written by a machine from the photos, so details may be off.
Backglass Standard
- orange
- dark blue
- white
- yellow
Fingerprint: Enormous photorealistic space shuttle nose-left, white orbiter with NASA lettering, US flag decal on wing, black-and-white striped US flag lower wing, tall tail fin right, orange-yellow exhaust plume, blue-white Earth curve filling bottom third, starfield background, SPACE SHUTTLE red-orange gradient title, PINBALL ADVENTURE subtitle, gold Williams logo
A single enormous photorealistic space shuttle orbiter dominates the centre, its tail fin reaching up to the right while an orange-yellow exhaust flame streams off the right edge past a mottled orange planet. The orbiter is lettered 'NASA' and 'United States' with a US flag decal, and the underside of the left wing carries a black-and-white striped American flag. Behind and below it the blue-and-white clouded curve of Earth spans the whole bottom of the glass, so the machine reads as an orbital flight scene rather than a starfield-only design. Only one moving vehicle is depicted and there are no human figures at all.
Setting
- Deep blue-black starfield
- Curve of the earth from below with white cloud swirls
- Mottled orange-yellow planet at upper right
- Black space with scattered small white star dots
Symbols
- Us flag decal on the fuselage
- Striped us flag on the wing
- Circled w in the top-left logo
- Seven-segment score displays
- Artist signature in cursive at the bottom right corner
- Ornate red-and-gold keyline border framing all four edges
Lettering
- Extra-large geometric block capitals with a red-to-orange vertical gradient, thick white outline and drop shadow; smaller gold all-caps subtitle; cursive yellow script maker mark
Themes
- Spaceflight
- Shuttle launch
- Orbital view of earth
- Planets
- Aerospace
Title on it
- Space shuttle
Text on it
- Williams
- SPACE SHUTTLE
- PINBALL ADVENTURE
- 473250
- Defender
- NASA
- United States
- GAME OVER
- MATCH
| Kind | Description |
|---|---|
| Vehicle | One white space shuttle orbiter in three-quarter view, nose to the left, black cockpit windows, nasa lettering on the upper wing, united states text with a small flag decal mid-fuselage, 'defender' in small black type near the nose, striped us flag on the lower wing, tall vertical tail fin to the right, ribbed engine bell with a long orange-yellow flame plume trailing off the right side. no crew figures are drawn. |
| Other | The earth below, occupying the bottom third as a blue and white clouded sphere, partly cropped by the lower edge. |
A backglass with a deep blue-black starfield background and a huge photorealistic space shuttle in three-quarter view, nose pointing left and tilted slightly down, filling the centre. The white orbiter has a black cockpit window band, 'NASA' in black block letters on the upper wing, 'United States' beside a small US flag decal, 'Defender' printed in small black type near the nose, and a black-and-white striped US flag on the lower wing; the tall vertical tail fin rises to the right, and a ribbed brown-orange main engine bell at the rear vents a long orange-yellow flame plume off the right edge. Below the orbiter the blue-and-white curve of Earth fills the bottom third with swirling cloud detail, and a mottled orange-yellow planet sits in the upper right quadrant. Across the top the title 'SPACE SHUTTLE' is set in enormous block capitals with a red-to-orange vertical gradient and white outline on a dark plate, with 'PINBALL ADVENTURE' in smaller gold capitals beneath. A yellow script 'Williams' logo with a circled W sits at top left. A blue seven-segment display reading 473250 is inset at upper left, with three unlit black seven-segment windows below it and two small red two-digit displays at bottom centre. No people appear anywhere.
Backglass Standard
- black
- blue
- white
- orange
Fingerprint: SPACE SHUTTLE in tall condensed slab letters cream-yellow fading red-orange bottom outlined black red white keyline across top, PINBALL ADVENTURE small orange-yellow serif capitals beneath, white winged spacecraft three-quarter view nose left climbing delta wing right black cockpit windows black-white US flag decal, wide plume orange yellow red flame streaming engines right edge, mottled orange-red planet upper right, four small dark rectangular display windows inset
A single white winged spacecraft, drawn in full side profile with its nose raised to the left and a huge orange-yellow flame plume blasting off to the right, dominating the centre of the glass. It is lettered directly on the fuselage with NASA, United States and Defender, and carries a small American flag decal on the wing. The oversized title SPACE SHUTTLE spans the entire top width in cream-to-red gradient block letters. A mottled orange planet floats in the upper right, and the lower third is filled by blue-and-white clouded Earth.
Setting
- Black starfield-less space sky at top
- Clouded earth horizon across the lower third
- Orange-red planet at upper right
Symbols
- American flag decal
- Orange-red planet
- Rocket exhaust flame plume
- White double-line border with red corner brackets
- Four rectangular inset display windows
Lettering
- Very large condensed slab block capitals in cream-to-red vertical gradient with black outline and red/white keyline, above a small orange-yellow serif capital subtitle; small gold cursive script wordmark at top left
Themes
- Spaceflight
- Orbital launch
- Earth from orbit
- Rocket exhaust
Title on it
- Space shuttle
Text on it
- Williams
- SPACE SHUTTLE
- PINBALL ADVENTURE
- Defender
- NASA
- United States
- 278881
- 26
- 80
| Kind | Description |
|---|---|
| Vehicle | One white winged spacecraft, no crew visible; three-quarter side view climbing left, black cockpit glazing at the nose, delta wing raised upper right, black-and-white us flag on the lower wing surface, printed markings defender by the nose, nasa and united states amidships, engine bells glowing at the rear with a long orange-yellow-red exhaust plume streaming right off the edge of the artwork |
A rectangular space-themed backglass photographed behind glass in a black cabinet frame, lit warmly with a glare spot near the upper centre. Dominant colours are deep black (the starless upper sky), clouded blue-and-white (the Earth filling the lower third), off-white/grey (the spacecraft), and orange-yellow (rocket exhaust flame and subtitle text). Across the top, a very large block-capital title reading SPACE SHUTTLE in tall condensed slab letters, cream-yellow on the upper halves fading to red-orange at the bottom, each letter outlined in black with a red and white keyline. Directly beneath, a small centred line of orange-yellow serif capitals: PINBALL ADVENTURE. Top left, in gold cursive script, a small oval-emblem wordmark. The centre of the glass is dominated by one white winged spacecraft drawn in three-quarter view, nose to the left and climbing, delta wing up and to the right, black cockpit windows, a black-and-white US flag decal on the lower wing, and small lettering on the fuselage including NASA, United States, and Defender near the nose. A wide plume of orange, yellow and red flame streams from the engines to the right edge. A mottled orange-red planet sits in the upper right quadrant. Four small dark rectangular display windows are inset in the glass: one upper left showing bright red digits 278881, two blank/dim grey windows stacked at the lower left, and two at the lower right showing 26 and 80 in red segmented digits. A thin double-line border in white with red corner brackets frames the whole picture. No people appear.
Backglass Standard
- blue
- white
- yellow
- red
Fingerprint: White NASA space shuttle descending nose-left trailing long orange-yellow flame plume past mottled orange planet, fuselage marked with United States lettering and US flag, deep navy blue starfield speckled white, swirling blue and turquoise Earth occupying lower third, SPACE SHUTTLE in red-to-yellow gradient block letters with white bevel, Williams logo at top left
A white NASA space shuttle climbing away from a swirling blue Earth, trailing a long orange flame plume past a mottled orange planet. The title SPACE SHUTTLE is enormous, in a red-and-yellow gradient block face with a heavy white bevel. The 'United States' lettering and US flag printed on the shuttle wing. Six solid black rectangles where the score displays are unlit. A yellow script 'Williams' logo tucked in the top-left corner above the title.
Setting
- Deep navy starfield
- Painted swirling blue-and-white earth below
- Orange mottled planet upper right
- Orange and yellow rocket exhaust plume
Symbols
- Us flag
- Circled w emblem beside the script logo
- White star field
- Red-and-black greek key corner ornaments on the cream border
- Tm symbol under the title
Lettering
- Main title in very large condensed sans-serif capitals with a red-to-yellow vertical gradient, thick white bevel and black drop shadow; supporting lines in smaller plain capitals; company name in yellow cursive script
Themes
- Spaceflight
- Nasa
- Space shuttle
- Earth from orbit
- Launch plume
- Planet
Title on it
- Space shuttle
Text on it
- Williams
- SPACE SHUTTLE
- PINBALL ADVENTURE
- NASA
- United States
- TM
| Kind | Description |
|---|---|
| Vehicle | One white nasa-style space shuttle, side view, nose to the left, tall swept vertical tail fin, black cockpit windows, black main engine nozzles, aft fuselage shaded brown-purple, thin blue glow outline, painted 'united states' and a us flag on the wing, 'nasa' and a small name near the cockpit |
A painted space-shuttle backglass. A white NASA-style space shuttle with a tall swept tail fin dominates the centre, angled nose-down to the left, its rear engines glowing and throwing a long orange-and-yellow flame plume to the right edge. The fuselage carries a small US flag, the word 'United States', a NASA label and a small name near the cockpit. Behind it the sky is deep navy blue speckled with white stars, and the lower third is a swirling painted Earth in blues, whites and pale turquoise cloud. A mottled orange-and-yellow planet sits upper right. Across the top, huge block letters read SPACE SHUTTLE in a red-to-yellow vertical gradient with a thick white bevel outline and black shadow; above that at top left is a yellow script 'Williams' with a small circled W emblem, and below the title, centred, is PINBALL ADVENTURE in smaller red and yellow capitals with a TM. A cream border with red-and-black Greek-key corner ornaments frames the whole panel. Six blacked-out rectangular display windows are scattered over the left and lower areas.