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Fish Tales (Williams, 1992)

Released by Williams in 1992, Fish Tales is a fast, humorous pinball machine centered on fishing and outdoor adventure. Designed by Mark Ritchie, it is often praised for its tight layout, quick ball times, and simple but addictive gameplay loop. Thanks to its lively theme, memorable toys, and excellent flow, Fish Tales remains one of the most enduring and widely recognized machines from the early 1990s.

The playfield features two flippers and includes crisscrossing left and right ramps, a left orbit spinner, a captive ball shaped like a fishing boat, and a "Caster’s Club" lock shot for multiball. Players work to catch fish by completing lit shots, stretch the truth about the size of their catch by spinning the left orbit spinner, and advance bonuses by completing L-I-E rollovers. Multiball is achieved by locking balls at the Caster’s Club, leading to a fast-paced jackpot chase during multiball play. Other key features include "Monster Fish" hurry-up shots, "Feeding Frenzy" bonuses, and a video mode where players shoot water skiers for extra points and potential extra balls.

The artwork by Pat McMahon is colorful and lighthearted, packed with exaggerated fishermen, leaping fish, and vibrant lakeside scenery. The topper—a plastic fish that thrashes its tail—is one of the most recognizable features of the game and adds humor and visual flair. The sound package includes country-tinged music, playful callouts, and energetic background effects that capture the feel of a lively fishing competition.

Approximately 13,640 units of Fish Tales were produced, making it one of Williams’ best-selling titles of the era. Its combination of accessible rules, fast gameplay, and strong visual presentation made it popular both with casual players and competitive pinball fans.

Today, Fish Tales is celebrated for its speed, charm, and replayability. Its high-energy playfield, fun theme, and aggressive scoring structure ensure it remains a classic choice for tournaments, arcades, and home collections alike.