Attack from Mars
| Company type | Subsidiary |
|---|---|
| Industry | Pinball manufacturing |
| Products | Pinball machines, including Attack from Mars |
Attack from Mars is a pinball machine released in 1995, designed by Brian Eddy and published by Midway under the Bally brand. Utilizing the DCS sound system, this game tasks players with defending Earth against a Martian invasion by safeguarding key cities, eliminating alien forces, and ultimately conquering Mars.
Design
Brian Eddy developed the game as an homage to 1950s sci-fi classics infused with contemporary humor. The playfield features a fan-shaped layout, enabling all shots to be made from just two flippers. Prominent components include four mechanical Martian figures, a strobe light that activates Strobe Multiball, and multiple flying saucers positioned over ramps and loops. The largest saucer, located above the central targets, responds interactively to the player's progress in combating the Martians.
The game introduced innovative diverters with distinctive operation mechanisms. A planned moving flying saucer element was ultimately omitted due to concerns about cost and mechanical reliability.
Gameplay
To access the Rule the Universe wizard mode, players must complete six specific objectives:
- Super Jets: Increase the value of pop bumpers by striking them.
- 5-Way Combo: Successfully make five consecutive illuminated shots.
- Super Jackpot: Lock three balls to initiate multiball featuring numerous jackpot opportunities; collecting all five jackpots activates the Super Jackpot.
- Martian Multiball: Hit seven MARTIAN targets to start a timed challenge where players must destroy four Martians within 30 seconds; "Martian Bombs" can be used to instantly eliminate Martians.
- Total Annihilation: Shoot each of the four ramps or loops three times to trigger hurry-up modes and a four-ball multiball with all jackpot shots enabled.
- Conquer Mars: Clear a target bank obstructing the saucer to protect cities through successive attack waves; after five waves, destroy Mars by hitting the saucer ten times.
After completing these tasks, players enter Rule the Universe, a four-ball multiball mode where every scoring feature is active. Achieving 5 billion points rewards an additional 5 billion points, and upon completion, progress toward reactivation begins immediately.
The machine includes five multiball variations, such as Strobe Multiball (three balls), which occurs randomly at the "Stroke of Luck" scoop. A bank of stand-up targets blocks access to the saucer but provides points and awards when repeatedly hit.
Additionally, there is a video mode programmed by Brian Eddy that involves shooting down flying saucers and their mothership.
Reception
Attack from Mars has earned recognition for its enduring cultural significance and wide-ranging appeal, attracting both newcomers and seasoned players with impressive high scores. In a 2023 retro review by Pinball Mag, it was described as "a success of esteem rather than sales," noting that it sold roughly one-sixth as many units as the 1992 best-seller The Addams Family. The review highlighted its fan-friendly design that welcomes beginners while presenting challenging wizard mode objectives for experienced players, awarding it a score of 7.4 out of 10. In 1996, Williams acknowledged an overall downturn in pinball machine sales impacting games like this one.
Sequels and Subsequent Models
The follow-up title, Revenge From Mars, was released in 1999 and developed by George Gomez along with much of the original creative team. It marked the debut of Williams' Pinball 2000 system. In 2011, WMS Gaming expanded the brand by launching slot machines under the names Attack from Mars and Revenge from Mars.
Digital Adaptations
This pinball machine was featured within the arcade cabinet UltraPin in 2006.
Attack from Mars became available digitally through The Pinball Arcade starting in March 2013 until it was removed in June 2018. Later, it was introduced on Pinball FX3 across various platforms in December 2018, showcasing upgraded animations. A remastered edition followed on Pinball FX in March 2022. Zen Studios incorporated the table into their Williams Pinball application for iOS and Android devices in 2019, and it was subsequently added to their successor mobile title, Zen Pinball World, in February 2025. Additionally, a virtual reality adaptation was released on Pinball FX VR in May 2025.
Reproduction
In 2017, the Chicago Gaming Company introduced three distinct editions of Attack From Mars: Classic, Special Edition, and Limited Edition. Having obtained the license in 2010 to reproduce this and other Williams tables—including manufacturing rights for parts—Chicago Gaming enhanced each version with visual improvements such as different cabinet trims, a large high-definition color screen, upgraded speaker illumination, and an animated topper. This approach aligns with Chicago Gaming's philosophy of merging classic appeal with contemporary technology to serve the pinball enthusiast community.