BARRY O’s BARBECUE CHALLENGE

American Pinball have today announced their next new game, Barry O’s Barbecue Challenge.

Named after legendary pinball designer, Barry Oursler, who joined American Pinball shortly before his untimely death in February 2022, it pays homage to Barry’s love of BBQ and outdoor activities, and is based on the playfield design he began developing at American Pinball.

The game’s design was further developed and brought to production by the team at American Pinball, including Steve Bowden, Dennis Nordman and Ryan McQuaid. Steve also headed-up creation of the game’s ruleset, with Joel Schober and Casey Butler coding the game. Veteran composer and sound designer, David Thiel, created the audio package, while Matt Kern managed the voice talent.

You can read more about the team which created the game in the American Pinball press release further down this article.

The game comes in two versions – a Limited Edition model restricted to just 100 units, and a Classic Edition which is not limited.

Here’s the Limited Edition model.

The Limited Edition includes red powder coated side armor, American Pinball’s new Aura Lighting System pre-installed, Magic Glass, a shaker motor, a knocker, a limited ‘BBQ Red’ cooking apron, and a Limited Edition numbered brass plate.

The Limited Edition is priced at $8,495.

The Classic Edition is $1,500 cheaper at $6,995. Here a look at that model.

Both models feature the same backglass artwork.

A selection of detailed playfield shots have now been released yet, in addition to which there is an overhead view in the flyer artwork which shows the game has more of an ’80s design complete with two ramps and a small LCD screen embedded in the playfield to complement the backbox LCD panel.

The playfield artwork is paced full of small details and Challenge characters, including Firehouse No. 9, Miss Leroux, Gobble Hobble, the Burnt End Boys, Gator Don and The Sauce Shuttle.

The game includes two ‘scoring posts’ which are a throwback to the mushroom bumpers found in EM games which act like static posts but also register ball hits.

Here are the basic rules for the game:

• Launch ball into flashing BBQ targets or top lane for SKILL SHOT • Shoot ORANGE shots and targets to complete RECIPES and light LOCKS • Use MILD and SPICY sauces to perfect flavor and improve your RECIPE’S RATING! • Shoot spinners to collect your SPECIAL SAUCE for bigger scores! • Shoot PURPLE shots to complete HOT ROD CHALLENGES and unlock perks! • Complete BBQ PIT target banks to collect awards • RIGHT TARGET changes the BBQ PIT award • Complete BOSS/CHEF lanes to increase RECIPE VALUE and earn awards! • Shoot flashing locks to start PITMASTER MULTIBALL! Shoot RED for JACKPOTS! • Shoot drop target bank to cook SIDE DISHES and start SIDE DISH MULTIBALL! • Shoor RIGHT RAMP to temporarily increase all scoring • Light EXTRA BALLS from cook-off wins, BBQ PIT award and BOSS award!

Here’s how American Pinball announced their latest release:

Greetings, Pinball Fans!   American Pinball is proud to announce Barry Oursler’s final all-new design, commemorating his illustrious 46-year career in game design. In honor of Barry, we’re excited to introduce ‘Barry O’s BBQ Challenge’ – a pinball adventure that captures the essence of summer fun and embodies the spirit of neighborhood BBQ Festivals across America. Available in two delectable editions – Limited and Classic – each game is seasoned to perfection, ready to become the centerpiece of your collection. Commemorating Barry’s legacy, the royalties from ‘Barry O’s BBQ Challenge’ will be directed to his estate, supporting his family and continuing his impactful contribution to the world of pinball.   Crafted with the durability of the finest smokers and featuring vibrant animations, ‘Barry O’s BBQ Challenge’ promises endless entertainment and joy. This game is a tribute not just to Barry’s legacy in pinball design but also to the rich culture of barbecue, making it an essential addition for pinball enthusiasts and barbecue aficionados alike.   The development of ‘Barry O’s BBQ Challenge’ represents a collaborative effort that merges the expertise of seasoned professionals and innovative talents. Steven Bowden spearheaded the creation of the game’s complex rules, while Joe Schober and Casey Butler were instrumental in software, engineering, and guaranteeing a responsive and engaging gameplay. David Thiel elevated the game’s auditory landscape through meticulous sound engineering and the composition of a festive theme soundtrack, complemented by Matt Kern’s authentic voice production and his skill at finding amazing voice talent.   Contributions from Steve Bowden, Dennis Nordman and Ryan McQuaid in design assistance played a vital role in refining the game’s playfield, creating a compelling and immersive experience. The visual and interactive elements of the game were brought to life under the art direction of Jack Haeger, with Dan Hughes providing the artwork, and animations crafted by Jessica Durbala and Bobby Llereza. The mechanical integrity and design, managed by Zofia Ryan and Mitesh Pithva, along with Benjamin Kibler’s project management, ensured the game’s seamless operation from the get-go. Through this collective expertise, ‘Barry O’s BBQ Challenge’ not only pays homage to Barry Oursler’s remarkable legacy but also captures the essence of pinball.   We invite you to check out ‘Barry O’s BBQ Challenge’ at the following launch locations (as of March 9, 2024):

We are confident that ‘Barry O’s BBQ Challenge’ will be a great addition to your collection and will be enjoyed by players of all skill levels. For more information or to place your order, please contact your American Pinball distributor today.   Thank you for your continued support, and we look forward to hearing about your experiences with ‘Barry O’s BBQ Challenge’!

We expect to play Barry O’s Barbecue Challenge at the upcoming Texas Pinball Festival and will bring you more details of the game in our in-depth show report, right here at Pinball News.