Neutron Star

Neutron Star was a prototype pinball machine designed by Gary Slater -- who left Atari partway through development -- and completed by Milt Loper, during the company's transition from electromechanical to solid-state pinball manufacturing. Built in 1981, it was a narrow-bodied game, sharing that unusual cabinet format with another Atari prototype, 'Triangle.'

The game was fully developed and operational, featuring three flippers, three pop bumpers, two slingshots, two 4-bank drop targets, two standup targets, a kick-out hole, and a spinning target -- a substantial feature set for a machine centered on an outer-space theme. However, Neutron Star never advanced beyond the prototype stage and was never put into production; only a single confirmed unit exists today, with its playfield plastics and backglass reportedly made by the game's current owner rather than originally manufactured by Atari.

Because it was never released commercially, Neutron Star had no impact on the pinball market or on other designs at the time. Its significance today lies instead in its rarity as a one-of-a-kind artifact from Atari's brief venture into pinball manufacturing, offering a rare look at a game that almost made it to production.