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The Hobbit Black Arrow Special Edition

Manufacturer: Jersey Jack Pinball, Inc., of Lakewood, New Jersey (2013-2019)
Year: 2016
Date: 2016
Type: Solid State Electronic (SS)
Players: 4

About This Machine

The Hobbit Black Arrow Special Edition stands as a testament to Jersey Jack Pinball's innovative approach to game design. Released in 2016, it marked a significant milestone for the company, which was still relatively new to the industry at that time. Designed by Joe Balcer, this machine boasted an impressive array of features that set it apart from other pinball machines of its era.

Gameplay-wise, The Hobbit Black Arrow Special Edition offers a rich and immersive experience, with three flippers, 11 standup targets, and four pop-up targets to aim for. The inclusion of multiple ball-control mechanisms, such as the captive black ball and Newton ball post, added an extra layer of complexity and challenge for players. A standout feature is the player-controllable diverter ramp, allowing players to guide the balls with precision. With a multiball mode and speech effects, this machine delivers an engaging experience that's both entertaining and rewarding.

From a design and art perspective, The Hobbit Black Arrow Special Edition showcases Jersey Jack Pinball's attention to detail and commitment to creating visually stunning machines. The use of high-definition LCD monitors, including a 27-inch display in the backbox, provides crystal-clear visuals for players. The cabinet features a sleek, minimalist design with external audio controls and a seven-speaker digital audio system. Artwork-wise, this machine captures the essence of J.R.R. Tolkien's beloved novel, transporting players to Middle-earth with intricate renderings of iconic locations and characters.

Images (18)

Technical Details

Theme:
Fantasy - Licensed Theme - Wizard/Magic
Model Number:
TH BASE
MPU:
Intel Celeron
Toys:
Animated pivoting Smaug dragon head. Two barrels used as pop bumper caps. Slingshots have moving weapons on top of them.
Notable Features:
Flippers (3), Pop bumpers (3), Slingshots (2), Pop-up targets (4), Spinning targets (2), Standup targets (11), Vertical up-kickers (2), 3-bank drop targets (2), Captive ball (1), Newton ball post (1), 5-bank drop targets (1), Mini-post screw between flippers, Player-controllable diverter ramp, Dual inlanes, Left outlane kickback. One captive ball is black. Shaker motor. Multiball. Speech. 27-inch HD LCD monitor in backbox. Small LCD in upper right playfield indicates to player what objectives to accomplish. Invisiglass™ playfield glass. Cabinet front has external headjack and volume control. Player button on lockdown bar. Seven-speaker 2.1 digital audio system. Black side rails, lockdown bar, legs, and plunger escutcheon.

Credits

Designer:
Joe Balcer
Artist:
Jean-Paul de Win, Matt Riesterer
Software:
Keith P. Johnson, Ted Estes, Joe Katz, JT Harkey, Alex Levy
Music:
Two Steps from Hell
Sound:
David Thiel
Mechanics:
Eric Meunier
Dots/Animation:
Jean-Paul de Win

Documentation

  • Operations Manual (Release 3.0 December 2016, OCR searchable, with schematics)
    68 MB
    Download

Other Files

  • Flyer - Large Size - Initial Version
    11 MB
    Download
  • Flyer - Large Size - Revised Version
    2 MB
    Download
  • Rules Flowchart
    661 KB
    Download
The Hobbit Black Arrow Special Edition (Jersey Jack Pinball, 2016) — Flashback Fleet