WWE Raw vs. Smackdown
About This Machine
WWE Raw vs. Smackdown was a planned but never-produced home pinball machine, designed by John Popadiuk and Chris Nicolella for Zizzle Arcade Pinball (active 2006-2007). While the game never made it to production, all of its planned specifications were documented, showcasing Zizzle's ambitions for a wrestling-themed home pinball line.
As designed, the gameplay of WWE Raw vs. Smackdown would have featured three pop bumpers, two slingshots, and stand-up targets, along with an LCD scoring display and LED game lighting intended to immerse players in the world of professional wrestling. The planned sound design included music, sound effects, and speech. Games would have offered 3 or 5 balls per game plus extra balls, with tilt ending the ball in play.
Notable planned design elements include a wooden playfield with heat transfer laminate artwork, an injection-molded backbox, and a cabinet with decal artwork, all art by Popadiuk himself. Interestingly, this unproduced game is tied to a real US Design Patent (D579,055), filed by John Popadiuk Jr. et al. in September 2006 and granted in October 2008, underscoring that real design work went into the project even though it was never brought to market.
Images (2)
Technical Details
- Theme:
- Sports - Wrestling
- Notable Features:
- Flippers (2), Pop bumpers (3), Slingshots (2), Standup targets (2), Spinning target (1). LCD scoring display, LED game lighting. Music, sound effects, and speech. End-of-ball bonus score. Tilt ends ball in play. 3 or 5 balls per game, plus extra balls. Wood playfield with heat transfer laminate artwork. Injection molded backbox. Injection molded bumpers, ramps, ball guides and playfield inserts. Wood cabinet with decal artwork, 34 inches long, 18 inches wide, and 54 inches high. Metal legs. 110v/220v transformer. One solenoid operates the three pop bumpers simultaneously. A separate solenoid operates both slingshots simultaneously. Each full-size flipper has its own solenoid. All solenoids were 24VDC open frame case style. Ball size: 3/4 inch. Design patent D579,055 [PINBALL MACHINE] filed September 29, 2006. Granted October 21, 2008 to John Popadiuk, Jr. et al.
Credits
- Designer:
- John Popadiuk, Chris Nicolella
- Artist:
- John Popadiuk