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Attack from Mars (Bally, 1995)

Released by Bally in 1995, Attack from Mars is one of the most iconic and beloved pinball machines of the modern era. Designed by Brian Eddy with rules by Lyman Sheats, it combines fast, flowing gameplay with a humorous alien invasion theme. Its approachable ruleset, inventive toys, and exciting multiball modes helped it become a classic almost immediately after release, and it remains a staple in collections and tournaments to this day.

The playfield features two flippers and centers around a large interactive flying saucer toy positioned above a bank of three stand-up targets. Players initiate "Attack Waves" by completing this target bank, leading to sequences where they must defend cities by repeatedly hitting the saucer. Successfully defending five cities unlocks the "Conquer Mars" mode, where players aim to destroy Mars itself by shooting the saucer ten times. Additional objectives include "Martian Attack," activated by completing the M-A-R-T-I-A-N targets, which triggers a two-ball multiball with dancing Martian figures that must be hit within a time limit. "Total Annihilation" is achieved by completing four specific ramp and loop shots, leading to a four-ball multiball where all major shots award jackpots. Completing these objectives, along with achieving a Super Jackpot, Super Jets, and a 5-Way Combo, qualifies the player for the "Rule the Universe" wizard mode—a challenging four-ball multiball where the goal is to score 5 billion points before draining.

The artwork, by Doug Watson, captures a tongue-in-cheek sci-fi aesthetic with colorful, cartoonish Martians, flying saucers, and scenes of cities under siege. One of the standout visual features is the lenticular backglass, which creates a 3D animated effect when viewed from different angles, giving a sense of motion and depth to the Martians and city backgrounds. Bright colors, exaggerated action poses, and playful background art give the machine a lively, humorous tone. The sound design enhances the experience with alien voices, attack alarms, comedic chatter, and a dramatic orchestral soundtrack that builds excitement during major gameplay moments.

Approximately 3,450 units of Attack from Mars were produced. Though it had modest production numbers compared to earlier Bally/Williams titles, its reputation grew steadily thanks to its intuitive yet deep gameplay, making it highly sought-after in the home and competitive markets. The machine’s success eventually inspired a highly respected remake decades later.

Today, Attack from Mars is recognized as one of the finest examples of pure, energetic pinball design. Its timeless theme, memorable toys, playful humor, and perfectly tuned ruleset ensure its place among the greatest machines ever built.