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2007

Family Guy

Quick Overview

Peter, Stewie, Meg and Quahog's craziest residents on a pinball machine! Family Guy is a pinball machine released by Stern in February 2007, bringing the humor of the popular animated series onto the playfield. The machine was designed by Pat Lawlor and his team, and the show's creator, Seth MacFarlane, recorded new voice material specifically for it. The game's biggest highlight is Stewie's Mini Pinball: a separate mini playfield with its own flippers, targets and ramps, reached via a ramp. Figures of the show's characters also appear on the playfield.

Family Guy

Basics

  • ReleaseFebruary 2007
  • ManufacturerStern Pinball
  • DesignerPat Lawlor (Pat Lawlor Design)
  • ArtJohn Youssi, Margaret Hudson
  • AnimationMark Galvez
  • Music and soundDavid Thiel
  • SoftwareDwight Sullivan, Lonnie D. Ropp, Keith P. Johnson
  • Lighting and electronicsChip Curtis
  • GenrePinball
  • ThemeFamily Guy animated series
  • Players1–4
  • SystemStern S.A.M.
  • Flippers5 (three main and two mini)
  • Pop bumpers3
  • Units produced2,500

Characters & Creators

Peter GriffinLois GriffinMeg GriffinChris GriffinStewie GriffinBrian GriffinSeth MacFarlane – the show's creator, the voice of Peter, Brian and StewiePat Lawlor – designer

Standout features:

Stewie's Mini Pinball – a separate mini playfield with its own flippers, targets and rampsFigures of Peter, Lois, Meg, Chris, Stewie and Brian on the playfieldPreviously unreleased voice samples recorded by Seth MacFarlaneModes inspired by episodes, plus multiball modesFive flippers (three main and two mini), three pop bumpers and a four-bank drop targetCaptive balls, Newton balls and a spinning target

Play It Live!

Welcome to Quahog! Step into the world of the Griffin family, try Stewie's Mini Pinball, and play the Family Guy pinball machine at Arcade Museum Budapest!

Get My Ticket!

Game Objective

Family Guy is built around modes inspired by the show's episodes, such as TV Challenge, Beer Can and Stewie's Pinball. The playfield has nine standup targets, and hitting them starts the modes. Scoring is driven by completing modes and hitting the various targets, and the machine also offers multiball modes. The upper playfield is reached with precise shots and rewards good aim. The game's most distinctive part is Stewie's Mini Pinball: the mini playfield has its own flippers, targets and ramps, and starting the Stewie mode requires managing both the main and the mini playfield.

Fun Facts

  • The machine was designed by Pat Lawlor and his team and released by Stern in February 2007.
  • Seth MacFarlane recorded new voice samples specifically for this machine, and he voices Peter, Brian and Stewie.
  • The audio can be switched to a family-friendly setting.
  • Stewie's Mini Pinball has its own flippers, targets and ramps.
  • Stewie's figure turns to face the player or his mini machine, Meg bobs up and down, and Brian stands on top of the machine.
  • Hitting a beer can target triggers humorous audio clips.
  • The backbox also carries an optional tournament play sign.
  • 2,500 units were produced in total.
  • Stern reused the playfield layout for its 2008 Shrek pinball machine.

Why Is It Special?

Family Guy's biggest idea is Stewie's Mini Pinball: a separate mini playfield with its own flippers, targets and ramps, reached via a ramp. The player has to keep an eye on two playfields at once. Figures of the show's characters also appear on the playfield: Stewie's figure turns to face the player or his own mini machine, Meg bobs up and down, and Brian stands on top of the machine. Hitting a beer can target triggers humorous audio clips. Seth MacFarlane recorded previously unreleased voice samples for the machine, the voices respond to gameplay, and a family-friendly setting is available. The machine is rare: only 2,500 units were built, and Stern reused the same playfield layout for its 2008 Shrek pinball machine. Lighting designer Chip Curtis focused on LED effects rather than traditional bulbs.