Safe Cracker

Safe Cracker, released by Bally/Williams in 1996, stands as one of the most unique and innovative pinball machines of the 1990s. It was notably the first and only pinball machine to feature a built-in time limit of 2 minutes per game, creating a distinct sense of urgency in gameplay. The machine was designed by Pat Lawlor, famous for creating Twilight Zone and The Addams Family pinball machines.

The game's theme revolves around breaking into a bank vault, featuring an actual working combination lock mechanism integrated into the playfield. Players needed to collect digits throughout gameplay to crack the safe's combination, making it one of the most mechanically complex pinball machines ever produced. The machine also introduced a unique reward system using special tokens called 'Magic Tokens' that could be won during gameplay and used to start future games.

Safe Cracker was revolutionary in its implementation of a special 'Assault on the Vault' mini-playfield, which became accessible once players solved the safe combination. This separate playing area featured its own unique ruleset and objectives, adding another layer of complexity to the game. The machine also incorporated innovative uses of the DMD display, showing various vault-cracking animations and security system scenarios.

Despite its innovative features, Safe Cracker had a relatively limited production run of only 1,148 units, making it one of the rarer Williams/Bally machines. Its unique gameplay mechanics, time-limit feature, and token system have made it a highly sought-after collector's item and an important piece of pinball history. The machine's influence can be seen in later games that incorporated mini-playfields and complex mechanical devices integrated into gameplay.