Strange Science

Strange Science, designed by Dan Langlois and released by Bally in November 1986, is a solid-state pinball machine with a fantasy theme, produced under the Bally Midway banner. It stands out for its bold departure from traditional sports and licensed themes common at the time.

The game features three flippers and three pop bumpers, allowing for varied shot combinations, while a player-controlled kickback in the left outlane adds a layer of strategy. Its standout toy is an impulse-exchange mechanism in an "atom smasher" that can trigger multiball with anywhere from two to five balls in play. A vertical anti-gravity up-loop and a particle-separator ramp round out the game's distinctive shot menu.

Strange Science's design is also notable for its "unique neon display" topper, which adds a striking visual element to the cabinet. The fantasy theme, executed through sci-fi and mystical artwork by Greg Freres, gives the game an otherworldly feel distinct from many of its contemporaries. With 2,350 units confirmed produced, it remains a notable if lesser-known entry in Bally's mid-1980s lineup.