The Champion Pub
| Company type | Pinball machine |
|---|---|
| Industry | Arcade games |
| Founded | 1998 |
| Founder | Williams Electronics Games (Bally brand) |
| Products | Pinball machines |
The Champion Pub is a pinball machine released in 1998 by Williams Electronics Games under the Bally brand, featuring a 1920s boxing theme set within a pub environment.
Description
The playfield incorporates several interactive components, including:
- A jump rope section where players manipulate a spinning bar using the flippers
- A speed bag area equipped with plastic fists that strike designated targets
- A rotating wall that alternates between displaying a heavy bag and a boxer figure, utilized for training drills or offensive moves against opponents
Prominent features of the game encompass four distinct multiball modes, 15 levels of jackpots, 10 international adversaries, and more than 300 voice sound effects.
Gameplay
Players increase their health meter by executing specific shots to trigger bouts against one of ten challengers. The goal is to reduce the rival’s health to zero or deliver a knockout blow, all while monitoring the gradual depletion of the player's own health.
Multiball modes
- Multi-Brawl: Engages three balls simultaneously after locking three; illuminated shots award jackpots and progress them.
- Raid Multiball: Activates with three balls once three fights are won; each successful target hit raises its value.
- Fisticuffs Multiball: Initiated by striking the heavy bag to spell out BAR FLY FISTICUFFS; players then score points by hitting the boxer figure, with two balls in play.
- Champion Multiball: Features four balls and is unlocked after securing five fight victories; it merges all prior multiball modes and offers additional bonus chances.
Certain multiball modes can overlap, enabling up to four balls on the playfield concurrently.
The game's wizard mode, known as the Ultimate Challenge, tasks players with:
- Completing Multi-Brawl, Raid Multiball, and Fisticuffs Multiball
- Collecting every one of the 15 jackpots
- Finishing three training activities (speed bag, heavy bag, jump rope)
- Achieving Pub Champion status by winning five matches
- Securing at least one knockout victory
During the Ultimate Challenge, four balls are active simultaneously, and the player starts with a full health bar to defeat remaining opponents and earn the Pub Champion title. Triumph grants extra shots for bonus scoring.
Following the fifth win, fights outside the Ultimate Challenge convert into "Cash Fights," where participants wager portions of their score to challenge selected opponents. Wins add to the wagered amount while losses subtract from it.
Digital versions
The Champion Pub is offered as an officially licensed table in Pinball FX 3 on various platforms, with a remastered edition released for Pinball FX on March 31, 2022. Previously, it was accessible through The Pinball Arcade until its license expired.