🦇 Batman Pinball Machine (Data East, 1991)
📌 Core Facts
- Manufacturer: Data East Pinball
- Release Date: July 1991
- Production Run: 3,500 units confirmed
- System: DataEast/Sega Version 3 solid‑state platform
- Players: 4
- Flippers: 2
- Multiball: 3‑ball
- Display: Dot Matrix (DMD)
🎨 Theme & Design Team
- Theme: Batman (1989 film aesthetic), DC Comics licensed
- Game Design: Ed Cebula, Joe Kaminkow
- Artwork: B. Farris, Paul Faris, Todd Farris
- Software: Harry Cline, Kristina Donofrio, Neil Falconer
- Music & Sound: Brian Schmidt — notably the first pinball to use the BSMT‑2000 sound system
- Voice Work: Fred Young (character voices)
Gameplay & Features
Key Playfield Elements
- Two ramps
- Three-ball multiball
- Joker and Batman-themed targets
- Fast Data East-style orbit and ramp shots
- DMD animations tied to the 1989 Batman film aesthetic
Gameplay Personality
Data East’s early‑90s design DNA is all here:
- Fast, punchy shots
- Straightforward rules
- Emphasis on multiball and ramp flow
- Strong audiovisual package for the era (especially with the BSMT‑2000 sound system)
