Hell

"Hell" is a solid-state electronic (SS) pinball machine from 1980 that is shrouded in mystery. With no manufacturer credited and artwork signed only by Michele "Mike" Martinelli, it's a true enigma for collectors and historians alike. Despite this lack of information, "Hell" has carved out a niche in pinball history due to its bold theme and layout.

This machine is notable for its offset flippers, dual left inlanes, and a busy layout of two pop bumpers, two 3-bank drop targets, two standup targets, two spinning targets, and a kick-out hole. Players must navigate the offset flipper design, which requires a more deliberate approach than traditional flipper placement.

The "Hell" theme centers on carnality and damnation, with backglass artwork that reuses the demon character from Williams' 1979 'Gorgar' and depicts Italian singer Loredana Bertè, apparently drawn from a 1979 album cover. The playfield layout is similar to Gottlieb's 1979 'Totem.' A four-player counterpart, 'Hell's Queen,' was also released by the same unknown manufacturer. For pinball enthusiasts, "Hell" offers a rare and lesser-known example of a bootleg-style early solid-state game.