Williams' Black Knight 2000, captivating pinball enthusiasts with its unique blend of medieval fantasy and futuristic elements. As a sequel to the 1980 Black Knight, this machine sought to elevate the experience, introducing a multi-level playfield and intensifying the confrontational theme.

History and Background

Manufactured by Williams Electronic Games, Inc., Black Knight 2000 was conceived during the era of System 11B electronics. The machine's thematic core revolves around a persistent, spectral Black Knight, echoing the combative spirit of its predecessor but within a more advanced technological framework. The creative process was spearheaded by a team of notable figures in pinball design. Steve Ritchie, a key visionary, led the design and concept, also lending his voice to the Black Knight's callouts and contributing to the music alongside Brian Schmidt and Dan Forden. Doug Watson’s artwork visually defined the game, crafting the cabinet and playfield with striking imagery. Ed Boon managed the software development, while Joe Joos Jr. engineered the mechanical aspects. Dan Forden also shaped the sound design, adding depth to the auditory experience.

Production of Black Knight 2000 commenced on April 28, 1989, with the first machines shipping on the same day. Approximately 5,703 units were produced until July 25, 1989. The marketing campaign for Black Knight 2000 adopted slogans such as "He Rides Again," "He's Back," and "Born to Run and Built to Last," signaling its return and enhanced capabilities. An intriguing piece of marketing trivia involves a sticker promoting Black Knight 2000 T-shirts that was affixed to later production run machines, aimed at operators and players to highlight a promotional tie-in.

The game's launch was marked by a memorable, if slightly chaotic, event. Williams organized a gala to unveil Black Knight 2000, featuring a knight on horseback for dramatic effect. However, the presentation took an unexpected turn when the horse, during its stage appearance, relieved itself, creating an unforeseen moment during the machine’s introduction. Despite this incident, Black Knight 2000 quickly established itself in arcades and homes, becoming a sought-after title.

Signature Features and Design

Black Knight 2000 is celebrated for its distinctive features, most notably its split-level playfield, a pioneering design element that adds vertical complexity to the traditional pinball layout. This multi-tiered structure is central to the gameplay, offering distinct play areas and strategic shot opportunities. The "Skyway" ramp is another defining feature, an elevated ramp accessible via a drawbridge mechanism. Hitting a sequence of drop targets lowers the drawbridge, allowing players to launch the ball onto the Skyway for a high-scoring loop.

Magna-save, a magnetic ball save feature, is strategically placed on the upper playfield, activated by buttons on the cabinet sides. This mechanism allows players to influence the ball's trajectory, rescuing it from draining and extending gameplay. The game incorporates three flippers, two on the lower playfield and one on the upper level, providing varied control options across both playfield sections.

Visually, the game stands out with its vibrant artwork by Doug Watson. Two distinct plastic artwork versions exist for the upper playfield: a "futuristic" style and a "stone castle" style. These variations appear around the lock assembly, near the "W.A.R" lanes, as the upper ramp cover, and as the "magna-save ready" sign, with the "futuristic" artwork speculated to be the earlier design. The backbox is topped with a plastic topper featuring the Black Knight, enhancing the machine's imposing presence. Furthermore, sixteen flash lamps are integrated into the backbox behind the backglass, synchronized with playfield flashers to animate the Black Knight and a lightning bolt, creating dynamic visual effects.

Playfield and Mechanics

The Black Knight 2000 playfield is a dynamic arena segmented into upper and lower levels, each presenting unique challenges and shot opportunities. The lower playfield features standard pinball elements including two flippers, slingshots, and pop bumpers, alongside horseshoe lane, kick-out hole, and a kickback for ball saving. A set of drop targets guards the drawbridge entrance, central to accessing the upper playfield and the Skyway ramp.

The upper playfield, elevated and partially obscured from direct view from the lower section, introduces a new layer of gameplay. It houses a single flipper, the Magna-save feature, and the entrance to the Skyway ramp. The layout encourages players to skillfully navigate between levels, utilizing the vertical up-kicker to transition balls upwards and mastering shots that traverse both playfield areas.

Artwork on the playfield is rich and detailed, consistent with Doug Watson's distinctive style, blending medieval motifs with science fiction aesthetics. The color palette is vibrant, contributing to the game's energetic visual appeal. Lighting is integral to the playfield design, with strategically placed lamps and flashers accentuating key features and gameplay moments. In darker environments, the lighting effects amplify the visual drama, enhancing player immersion.

Gameplay Dynamics

Black Knight 2000's gameplay is characterized by its fast pace and emphasis on shot precision across both playfield levels. The primary objective involves skillful navigation of the ball to activate multiball modes and achieve high scores by completing various shot sequences. The game features three distinct multiball modes: "Double Knight's Challenge" (2-ball), regular 3-ball multiball, and "King's Ransom" 3-ball timed wizard mode, each triggered by specific in-game actions, typically involving locking balls on the upper playfield.

Activating the drawbridge by hitting the three drawbridge drop targets is crucial for accessing the Skyway ramp, a key shot for scoring and progression. The Magna-save feature adds a strategic layer, allowing players to strategically intervene and prevent ball drains, particularly on the upper playfield where recovery can be more challenging.

Gameplay flow is designed to be engaging and challenging, encouraging players to master the interplay between the upper and lower playfields. The game's scoring system rewards both skillful shot execution and risk-taking, with multipliers and bonuses tied to completing specific sequences and modes. The callouts, voiced by Steve Ritchie, contribute to the game's atmosphere, with phrases that taunt and encourage players, enhancing the adversarial theme.

Reception and Legacy

Black Knight 2000 has garnered a diverse range of opinions within the pinball community. Praised for its audio and visual presentation, the game's soundtrack and artwork are frequently cited as standout elements. The music, in particular, is often described as iconic and energizing, significantly enhancing the gameplay experience. The artwork, with its vibrant colors and thematic blend, is also widely appreciated for its aesthetic appeal. The game's fast-paced flow and unique features, such as the dual-level playfield and Magna-save, are acknowledged for contributing to an exciting and somewhat chaotic gameplay experience that many players find highly replayable.

However, criticisms exist. A common point of feedback is the perceived right-flipper dominance, suggesting an imbalance in shot accessibility and control. Some players find the upper playfield design obstructs visibility and limits shot options from the lower playfield, leading to a sense of repetitiveness in gameplay patterns. While the soundtrack is generally lauded, some find the Black Knight’s voice callouts repetitive or even grating over extended play. For some players, the initial excitement diminishes as the game's mechanics become predictable, leading to machine fatigue after prolonged engagement.

Despite mixed feedback, Black Knight 2000 holds a significant place in pinball history as a System 11B era machine and a sequel that expanded upon the original Black Knight concept. Its introduction of a multi-level playfield and features like Magna-save were innovative for its time and have influenced subsequent pinball designs. Black Knight 2000 remains a memorable title, evoking strong reactions and continuing to be discussed and played by enthusiasts, solidifying its legacy within the broader pinball landscape.