Viper Night Drivin'

The Viper Night Drivin' pinball machine, released by Sega Pinball in 1998, is a standout example of the company's late-1990s design work. Running on the Sega/Stern Whitestar system, roughly 1,100 units were produced, with concept work by Rob Hurtado and Joe Kaminkow and artwork by Morgan Weistling. With its sleek, high-tech aesthetic and driving theme, the game's design leans into a nighttime, high-speed atmosphere.

At its core, the game boasts an array of features, including two flippers, three pop bumpers, two slingshots, five standup targets, and two vertical up-kickers, supporting up to four simultaneous multiballs. The use of "Glo-Balls" -- special balls that glow under optional black lights (steel balls can also be used via a game option) -- adds a distinctive visual element to gameplay. The Team Play feature pairs players 1 & 3 against players 2 & 4 in four-player games, displaying both individual and combined team scores, while a "Modesty Feature" lets operators adjust video graphics, sound, and language for adult or child audiences.

Music for the game was composed by Saul "Slash" Hudson of Guns N' Roses, an unusual and notable credit. Sega also offered a non-coin-operated home version via a "Holiday Delivery" flyer, though surviving examples have not been documented. Viper Night Drivin' was among the final titles from Sega's pinball division, which wound down operations in 1999.