Xenon (pinball)
| Industry | Pinball manufacturing |
|---|---|
| Headquarters | United States |
| Products | Pinball machines |
Xenon is a pinball machine from 1980, created by Greg Kmiec and launched by Bally. It holds the distinction of being Bally's inaugural talking pinball game and the first to incorporate a female voice.
Description
Centered around a female robot concept, the game features voice and musical contributions from Suzanne Ciani. Her alluring vocal performance includes lines such as "Try Xeeeeenon" during the attraction sequence and moaning sound responses triggered by bumper impacts. The visual design is dominated by blue hues, evident in the bumper caps, plastic posts, and ambient lighting, all contributing to its sleek, futuristic xenon motif.
A notable element on the playfield is the tube shot—an illuminated acrylic tube that guides the ball from the upper-right section to the middle-left area. This inventive feature adds both dynamic gameplay and enhanced visual interest.
The audio development of this machine was spotlighted in an episode of Omni: The New Frontier, emphasizing its groundbreaking sound engineering.
Digital version
Xenon was part of the 2006 digital arcade collection UltraPin, produced by UltraCade Technologies. Additionally, it was chosen through a fan poll for inclusion in FarSight Studios' 2012 title The Pinball Arcade, which was accessible on various platforms until the licensing agreement for Williams and Bally tables ended in July 2018.
See also
External links
- IPDB entry for Xenon
- Kineticist page for Xenon
- Xenon by Suzanne Ciani: a compilation showcasing Suzanne Ciani’s innovative sound work for Xenon