The roar of the T-Rex, the thrill of the chase, and the wonder of prehistoric life – these are the sensations captured in Stern Pinball's Jurassic Park machine. Released in 2019, this pinball celebrates the blockbuster film franchise, immersing players in a world of dinosaurs and adventure across multiple editions: Pro, Premium, Limited Edition (LE), and the later 30th Anniversary Edition. Designed to thrill both casual players and seasoned pinball veterans, the Jurassic Park pinball machine offers a dynamic experience that varies significantly across its different versions.

History and Background

Stern Pinball, a leading name in pinball manufacturing, brought Jurassic Park to life under the design direction of Keith Elwin. Elwin, known for his innovative layouts and engaging rule sets, teamed up with artist Jonathan Bergeron, sound designer Jerry Thompson, and software developer Rick Naegele, among others, to create a pinball experience worthy of the Jurassic Park name. The machine’s development was rooted in capturing the essence of the original 1993 film, drawing inspiration from its iconic scenes, characters, and suspenseful atmosphere.

Production commenced in July 2019 with the Pro and Premium editions, followed shortly by the Limited Edition. The Pro edition, considered the base model, launched alongside the more feature-rich Premium, offering a more accessible entry point into the Jurassic Park pinball experience. The Limited Edition, restricted to a run of 500 units, elevated the collectability and features of the machine, appealing to serious collectors and enthusiasts. In August 2023, coinciding with the 30th anniversary of the original film, Stern released the 30th Anniversary Edition, also limited to 500 units, presenting a visually distinct and enhanced version of the game. Each edition reflected a different approach to features and collectability, impacting their market reception and desirability.

Signature Features and Design

The Jurassic Park pinball machine is defined by its integration of thematic elements and interactive features. A central figure across all editions is the T-Rex. In the Pro edition, this menacing dinosaur is represented as a static sculpt, a constant looming presence on the playfield. Stepping up to the Premium and Limited Editions introduces a dynamic, ball-eating T-Rex mechanism. This animated toy physically interacts with the pinball, capturing and throwing it back onto the playfield, creating a unique and visually striking gameplay element. The 30th Anniversary Edition retains this moving T-Rex, further enhancing its appeal.

Another significant feature exclusive to the Premium, Limited, and 30th Anniversary Editions is the Raptor Pit. This mechanical up/down post device adds a layer of interactive target shooting and ball locking, integral to initiating specific game modes and multiball events. Complementing this is a spinning helicopter blade toy, synchronized with sound effects, which further enhances the thematic immersion, exclusive to the Premium, Limited, and 30th Anniversary Editions. All editions feature a four-wheel vehicle represented as a horizontal spinner, contributing to shot variety and scoring opportunities.

The Limited Edition distinguishes itself visually and materially with metallic hunter green high gloss powder-coated armor and legs, a mirrored backglass, and anti-reflection playfield glass. It also includes a shaker motor for added tactile feedback. The 30th Anniversary Edition takes visual distinction further with a vibrant copper red powder coat on the armor and legs, alongside unique artwork and a mirrored backglass, setting it apart as the most visually striking of the editions. The Pro edition, while lacking these elaborate toys and visual enhancements, offers the core Jurassic Park pinball gameplay experience at a more accessible price point, focusing on the shot layout and rule set.

Playfield and Mechanics

Keith Elwin’s playfield design for Jurassic Park is characterized by a dynamic and flowing layout, encouraging fast-paced and engaging gameplay. Across all editions, the playfield features four ramps, offering satisfying and crucial shots for progression. Three pop bumpers and two slingshots provide classic pinball action, while a spinning target and a horizontal spinner add unique shot challenges. A Newton ball post is incorporated, influencing ball behavior and adding unpredictability.

The Pro playfield emphasizes core shot making, with a focus on ramps, targets, and the spinner. The artwork, by Jonathan Bergeron, sets a jungle backdrop, though some feedback suggests it can appear less detailed compared to higher editions. The Premium and Limited Edition playfields build upon this foundation, integrating the physical toys like the moving T-Rex and Raptor Pit seamlessly into the layout. The Premium and Limited Editions also include an additional up-post, increasing interactive playfield elements. The artwork on these editions benefits from enhanced detail and integration with the added toys, creating a more immersive visual experience. The 30th Anniversary Edition showcases unique playfield artwork, often cited as the most visually appealing across all editions, with a refined color palette and enhanced detail.

Lighting plays a crucial role in the Jurassic Park pinball experience. All editions utilize bright and dynamic LED lighting to highlight shots, features, and game modes. The LCD screen, standard across all editions, displays animations, scores, and game information, contributing to the modern pinball aesthetic.

Gameplay Dynamics

Jurassic Park pinball excels in its gameplay depth and engaging rule set. The game is designed around capturing dinosaurs, progressing through Jurassic Park, and ultimately reaching the wizard modes. A central gameplay mechanic involves capturing dinosaurs by hitting specific shots and targets, triggering different modes and challenges. The game features multiple multiball modes, with up to six balls in play simultaneously, creating chaotic and high-scoring opportunities.

Each edition shares the core rule set and gameplay progression. Players navigate through various modes inspired by scenes and dinosaurs from the Jurassic Park universe. The Pro edition offers a streamlined version of this experience, focusing on fundamental shot skills and rule comprehension. The Premium, Limited, and 30th Anniversary Editions expand upon this with added interactive toys and features that unlock additional modes and strategic gameplay layers. For instance, the Raptor Pit in the higher editions introduces specific Raptor modes and multiball opportunities not present in the Pro. The moving T-Rex is not just a visual spectacle; it is integrated into gameplay, triggering events and affecting ball flow.

Examples of memorable game modes include "T-Rex Multiball," initiated by interacting with the T-Rex toy (Premium, LE, 30th Anniversary), and various dinosaur encounter modes, each with unique objectives and scoring possibilities. Players often employ strategies focused on consistently hitting ramp shots to progress through modes and build towards multiball events. The depth of the rule set ensures replayability, with players continuously discovering new strategies and aiming for higher scores.

Reception and Legacy

The Jurassic Park pinball machine has been generally well-received within the pinball community, with many praising its engaging gameplay and thematic integration. A common strength cited is the shot layout, described as fun, challenging, and rewarding to master. The rule set's depth and variety of modes are also frequently lauded, contributing to long-term player engagement. The T-Rex toy, particularly in the Premium, Limited, and 30th Anniversary Editions, is a standout feature, recognized for its novelty and contribution to the gameplay experience.

Criticisms often revolve around the artwork and audio elements. Some players find the artwork to be less refined compared to other contemporary pinball machines, occasionally describing it as drab or lacking in detail. Audio feedback, particularly the callouts and music, has received mixed reviews, with some desiring more direct integration of iconic movie clips and a more varied soundtrack. Some players found the gameplay initially challenging, with tight shots and a steep learning curve for beginners.

Despite these criticisms, Jurassic Park pinball has solidified its place as a popular and respected title in modern pinball. Its legacy is marked by its successful integration of a beloved movie theme with innovative gameplay mechanics and a deep rule set. It stands as a testament to Keith Elwin's design prowess and Stern Pinball's ability to create engaging and collectible machines. The different editions cater to a wide range of players and collectors, ensuring the Jurassic Park pinball experience remains relevant and sought after in the pinball world.