Data East Time Machine (Refurbished)

Data East Time Machine Pinball Machine (1988)
Your Temporal Adventure Begins Under Glass.

Blast back to the golden age of arcades with the 1988 Data East Time Machine. Fire up your morphing sports car and embark on a nostalgic quest through the decades, from the 1980s back to the 1950s. In this beloved machine, every ramp hit locks a piece of history, and every completed era triggers a frantic race for the jackpot. As the designated time pilot, your mission is to master the timeline—but beware the pitfalls of the past that stand in your way.

Featuring vibrant, cartoon-style artwork by Kevin O’Connor and Margaret Hudson, a playful and period-perfect soundtrack designed by David Thiel, and the signature callouts of the era, this machine brings the spirit of classic arcade fun to life like never before.

Iconic Time-Warp Features

• The Ultimate Audio Throwback
  When your time travel hits the 1950s, the game’s electronics perform a stunning trick: the digital sounds cut out entirely, and the iconic “ding-ding-ding” of classic electro-mechanical chimes takes over, creating an authentic, immersive throwback to pinball’s roots.

• Decade-Locking Mission Progression
  Shoot for the 70s, 60s, and 50s stand-up targets and their corresponding ramps to lock each era. Successfully lock all three to initiate a wild 3-ball multiball frenzy and take your shot at the jackpot. Master the center “Starwarp Transporter” ramp to spell S-T-A-R-W-A-R-P and light the million-point shot.

• The Kruzin’ Time Machine
  Your vessel is the “Kruzin” sports car, with license plate art that shifts between decades on the backglass. The entire playfield is your temporal highway, with ramps and lanes themed to each iconic era you must conquer.

Accessible Gameplay & Nostalgic Depth

• Easy to Learn, Fun to Master – The straightforward goal of locking decades makes it instantly enjoyable, while deeper rule strategies offer challenge for seasoned players.

• Era-Specific Surprises – Each decade comes with its own background music, sound effects, and fun callouts packed with period slang (“Far out!”, “Gag me with a spoon!”).

• Hidden Audio Easter Egg – Discover a classic arcade secret: hold the right flipper button for a special, era-appropriate audio surprise.

A Collectible Piece of Pinball History

With a production run of only 2,896 units, this machine is a distinctive piece of arcade history. Designed by the legendary Ed Cebula and Joe Kaminkow, it stands as a joyful, family-friendly celebration of pinball’s own evolution, earning a strong collector following and a Pinside rating of 7.754/10.