ASBURY PARK, NJ — Did you know the biggest pinball machine ever made can be played right here at the Jersey Shore? Hercules is a massive behemoth of a pinball machine that is ridiculously huge. As some might say, they don’t make pinball machines that huge and nobody else has a bigger pinball machine.
The massive pinball machine “Hercules,” crafted by Atari, has been discovered at the Silverball Pinball Museum in Asbury Park. Due to its extraordinary size, it has drawn considerable attention.
“Hercules,” created by Atari in 1979, is the largest pinball machine ever commercially produced. This behemoth stands seven feet tall, stretches eight feet in length, and spans three and a half feet in width. It was originally designed by Ron Halliburton in 1976 under the prototype name Bigfoot for Bally Manufacturing Corporation but was later sold and reimagined by Atari.
Due to its size, the machine required custom-made parts, including modified washing machine solenoids to power its gameplay mechanics and a pool cue ball instead of a traditional pinball to suit its large scale. These design changes were essential as standard components could not withstand the game’s intense vibrations and the stress on its frame.
You can play Hercules at the Silverball Pinball Museum on the boardwalk in Asbury Park. The machine dwarfs all of its neighbors.
Visually, “Hercules” is as striking as its size. Atari’s designers used vibrant “circus colors” for its artwork, heavily featuring orange and purple. The game’s theme incorporates various elements from Greek mythology, including representations of Hercules’ labors, such as his battles with the Nemean Lion and the Amazon warriors.
Only a limited number of these pinball machines were produced, with estimates suggesting no more than 500 units were made. The “Hercules” pinball machine at the Silverball Pinball Museum is a rare artifact and a playable piece of history, contributing to the rich tapestry of the arcade gaming culture.