Internet Pinball Machine Database: Williams 'Big Guns'

The Internet Pinball Database Presents
Big Guns

[ Quick Search ] [ Advanced Search ] [ Game Lists ] [ Archives ] [ Pinball Glossary ] [ Playing Skills ] [ FAQ ] [ Settings ]

Big Guns / IPD No. 250 / September 28, 1987 / 4 Players

[ Submit Changes ]

Average Fun Rating:

7.1/10 (54 ratings/44 comments) [ Add Your Rating! ]

Manufacturer:

Williams Electronics Games, Incorporated, a subsidiary of WMS Ind.,
Incorporated (1985-1999) [Trade Name: Williams]

Date Of Manufacture:

September 28, 1987

Model Number:

557

Common Abbreviations:

MPU:

Williams System 11B

Type:

Solid State Electronic (SS)

Production:

5,250 units (confirmed)

Serial Number Database:

View at The Internet Pinball Serial Number Database (IPSND.net) (External site)

Theme:

Space Medieval

Specialty:

Mechanical Backbox Animation

Notable Features:

Flippers (4), Slingshots (2), 3-bank drop targets (2), Standup targets (13), Kick-out holes (3), Center Up-post, Left outlane kickback, Right outlane detour gate. Two catapults (kickers that propel ball airborne into habitrails). No pop bumpers. One standup target is behind each set of drop targets. The backbox is very tall. Backbox animation (a captive ball is shot into a bagatelle for a bonus score.)

During Invincible/Queen's Rescue (Jackpot mode), the center post is raised, the kickback stays active, and the right gate diverts the ball back to the right flipper for a set amount of time.

Actual measured weight: 257 lbs (includes legs).

Design by:

Mark Ritchie, Python Anghelo

Art by:

Python Anghelo

Music by:

Chris Granner

Sound by:

Chris Granner, Brian Schmidt

Software by:

Bill Pfutzenreuter

Notes:

Williams began using System 11B during the production of "Big Guns", so this game can have either an 11A or 11B system board.

Mark Ritchie stated at the Chicago Expo 2012 that the backbox was made larger by 4 inches because artist Python Anghelo needed more room to build the castle! He also said the King was to be Steve Ritchie, who did the voice for that role.

Pictured in this listing is a comparison of two images showing playfields below the flippers where two triangles, normally gray in color, are yellow. We received these two images anonymously and do not know the cabinet serial numbers from either (or playfield serial numbers, if they have any). Shown on each playfield is an identical part number with suffix 'SP' indicating that the supplier was Sun Process.

Production Run Records for Big Guns:
Production Start Date: Sep-28-1987
Production End Date: Dec-21-1987
Production Run Quantity: 5250
First ship date: Sep-29-1987
Last ship date: Apr-29-1988

Marketing Slogans:

"Feel the Power!"

Photos in:

The Pinball Compendium 1982 to Present External Link

, page 87
Mike Pacak's Pinball Flyer Reference Book A-F
Pinball Perspectives External Link

, pages 4, 8, 22-26

Rule Sheets:

Big Guns Guide (Nov/01/1993), by Kahler

Easter Eggs:

Available at Cows and Easter Eggs (External site)

ROMs:

3 MB

PDF

Notice of Big Guns ROMS Revision A (cover letter only, dated June 9, 1988)

[Williams Electronics Games, Inc.]

81 KB

ZIP

Revision L-7 Game ROM

[Williams Electronic Games, Inc.]

175 KB

ZIP

Revision L-8 Game ROM

[Williams Electronic Games, Inc.]

81 KB

ZIP

Revision L-A Game ROM

[Williams Electronic Games, Inc.]

Documentation:

4 MB

PDF

English Manual

[Williams Electronic Games, Inc.]

Multimedia Files:

2 MB

MP3

Multiball Tune

[Chris Granner]

Images:
(click to zoom)

Flyer, Front 887x1153	Flyer, Back 887x1153	Playfield 1024x1365 [Casey Davis]	Upper Playfield 1024x768 [Casey Davis]	Middle Playfield 1024x768 [Casey Davis]
Lower Playfield 724x543 [Casey Davis]	Backbox 1024x1365 [Casey Davis]	Cabinet - Left 1024x1365 [Casey Davis]	Playfield 1024x768 [Casey Davis]	Backglass - Detail 1024x768 [Casey Davis]
Promo Slingshot Plastics 871x636 [Bill Ung]	Blank Playfield 927x1800 [Mark Clayton]	Blank Playfield - Reverse 937x1800 [Mark Clayton]	Blank Playfield - Top 1024x768 [Mark Clayton]	Blank Playfield - Middle 1024x768 [Mark Clayton]
Blank Playfield - Bottom 1024x768 [Mark Clayton]	Blank Playfield - Detail 1024x768 [Mark Clayton]	Blank Playfield - Detail 1024x768 [Mark Clayton]	Blank Playfield - Detail 1024x768 [Mark Clayton]	Blank Playfield - Detail 1024x768 [Mark Clayton]
Blank Playfield - Detail 1024x768 [Mark Clayton]	Blank Playfield - Detail 1024x768 [Mark Clayton]	Blank Playfield - Detail 1024x768 [Mark Clayton]	Behind Backglass - Bagatelle Flash Lamps* 1024x1365 [Philippe Thibault]	Inside Backbox* 1024x1365 [Philippe Thibault]
Inside Backbox - Left* 1024x1365 [Philippe Thibault]	Inside Backbox - Right* 1024x768 [Philippe Thibault]	Playfield Plastics 1200x1422 [Ian F. McKinnon]	Manufacturer Sticker* 716x764	Behind Backglass - Bagatelle Flash Lamps with Stickered Front* 960x1280
Bagatelle Flash Lamps with Stickered Front* 960x1280	Inside Cabinet* 957x1277	Auxiliary Flasher Board* 665x935	Under Playfield 490x1024 [Ari Sovij�rvi]	Cabinet Right 1200x969 [John Gray]
Cabinet Left 1200x1098 [John Gray]	Backbox Right 1200x1789 [John Gray]	Instruction Card 1200x900 [John Gray]	Under Lower Playfield 1200x1600 [John Gray]	Under Upper Playfield 1200x1600 [John Gray]
Backglass - Detail 882x1164 [Marco Rossignoli]	Playfield Color Change* 1200x1450	Backglass - Reverse 1200x974 [Jean-Pierre Renault]	Backglass 1200x1121 [Hansjoerg Reiter]

[ Support the IPDB ]
[ Contact Us ]
[ About Us ]

All copyrighted and trademarked Gottlieb® material licensed from Gottlieb Development LLC.
Copyrighted and trademarked material from Planetary Pinball Supply, Inc® used with permission.
All photographs licensed from original photographers, who retain their copyright. Do not use without permission!
Site design, phrasing, and other local content copyright 2004-2024 by The Internet Pinball Database™.
Where appropriate, other trademarks & copyrights remain property of their owners.

[ Database Change Log ]

ipdb.org hosted at pair.com

blank line