Split Second

Split Second, released by Stern Electronics in August 1981, is a widebody solid-state pinball machine designed by Harry Williams with artwork by Doug Watson and Gerry Simkus. It features a split-level playfield design, with a wireform springboard delivering the ball from a mini-playfield to the main playfield.

Split Second boasts a wide range of features, including four flippers, two pop bumpers, two slingshots, five stand-up targets, two kick-out holes, a 5-bank and two 3-bank drop targets, a spinning target, a horseshoe lane, a star rollover, a free ball return lane, and left and right dual inlanes, along with a 3-ball multiball mode. Its Stern M-200 MPU powers electronic sound effects and speech, immersing players in a Happiness - Circus/Carnival atmosphere.

Split Second's design reflects Stern's early solid-state era aesthetic, with bright colors and bold graphics evoking the spirit of classic carnival attractions. With its multi-level playfield and dense feature set, it holds a place among the more ambitious widebody designs of the early 1980s and remains a title of interest to collectors and enthusiasts.