Machine Description

Released by Data East in 1990, the Back to the Future pinball machine capitalized on the enormous success of the iconic film trilogy, with the final movie being released that same year. This timing made it a highly anticipated release in the arcade and pinball community, as it represented one of the most significant movie licenses of the era.

The machine's design incorporated numerous elements from the films, featuring artwork of the DeLorean time machine, Doc Brown, and Marty McFly. The playfield included multiple references to key scenes from the movies, including the Clock Tower and the famous 88 mph speed requirement. The game utilized Data East's standard sound system of the era, featuring digitized speech clips from the movie and original music inspired by Alan Silvestri's memorable score.

Gameplay mechanics centered around time travel themes, with players attempting to achieve various speeds and hit specific targets to 'travel through time.' The playfield featured three flippers, multiple ramps, and various special targets that tied into the movie's storyline. A unique feature was the 'Time Machine' multiball mode, which was triggered by achieving specific goals related to reaching 88 mph.