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Doctor Who

Williams Electronics • 1992 • Dot Matrix Display (DMD)
Designers: Barry Oursler

Doctor Who Preview Image

doctor-who-1212-34.jpg pinball machine - Preview image showing playfield artwork and design details
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Machine Description

The Doctor Who pinball machine, released by Williams in 1992, stands as one of the most beloved licensed pinball machines of the dot-matrix era. Designed by Barry Oursler and Bill Pfutzenreuter with artwork by Linda Deal. The game captured the essence of the long-running British science fiction series, featuring voice clips from Sylvester McCoy (the Seventh Doctor) and authentic sound effects from the BBC archives.

The machine's playfield design was revolutionary for its time, featuring an innovative mini-playfield called the 'Time Expander' that created a game within a game. Other distinctive features included the TARDIS mini-playfield, a Dalek target bank, and a unique 'Video Mode' that was one of the earliest implementations of this feature in pinball history. The game's ruleset was deep and engaging, with various multiballs and modes representing different Doctor Who adversaries and storylines.

Production numbers approached 8,000 units, making it a moderate success in it's time. This pinball machine bridged a bond between Doctor Who fans and pinball enthusiasts, creating a lasting impact on both.