Special Force

Special Force, designed by Dennis Nordman and produced by Bally in September 1986, holds a notable place in mid-1980s solid-state pinball. It marked Dennis Nordman's design debut and is remembered by enthusiasts today as an underrated game with a strong ruleset for its era, though only 2,750 units were produced.

The machine's standout feature is its 3-ball multiball mode, achieved by locking balls behind a center drop target and then clearing a 3-in-line bank of drop targets plus two additional solo drop targets. A distinctive helicopter-themed whirlpool spins the ball in a circular motion accompanied by helicopter blade sound effects, creating a memorable sensory touch. The layout also includes two flippers and three pop bumpers.

Special Force's art, by Tony Ramunni, and sound design by Neil Falconer, contribute to its military-action atmosphere. While it never achieved major commercial success, its combination of an inventive multiball rule and the helicopter whirlpool gimmick has earned it a following among players who appreciate hidden gems of the solid-state era.