Machine Description

The Hobbit pinball machine, released by Jersey Jack Pinball in 2016, represents one of the most ambitious and technologically advanced pinball machines of the modern era. Based on Peter Jackson's The Hobbit film trilogy, this machine marked a significant milestone in pinball design and helped establish Jersey Jack as a major force in the premium pinball market.

The machine features a groundbreaking 27-inch LCD display in the backbox, along with a secondary 12-inch LCD in the playfield - a first for pinball machines at the time. The gameplay incorporates all three Hobbit films into a complex rule set, featuring innovative mechanics such as the iconic Smaug dragon mechanism, a rotating mechanical barrel, and an interactive Ring mechanism. The attention to detail extends to its sophisticated lighting system with RGB LEDs and film-accurate sound effects and music.

Production quality and craftsmanship were paramount, with each machine containing over 5,000 parts and featuring hand-drawn artwork by renowned pinball artist Jerry Vanderstelt. The Limited Edition version included additional special features such as enhanced lighting packages and exclusive artwork. While exact production numbers aren't publicly confirmed, it's estimated that fewer than 1,500 units were manufactured across all editions.

The Hobbit's legacy in pinball history is significant as it helped pioneer the use of multiple LCD displays and complex licensed theme integration in modern pinball. Its success helped validate the market for premium-priced machines with sophisticated technology and detailed theme implementation, influencing the direction of subsequent pinball designs across the industry.