Pinball Glossary
Nudge and plunge: pinball terms in Finnish and English.
73 / 73 terms
A
action button #1
A physical button located in the center of the lockdown bar. Used to activate the auto-plunger and complete in-game actions.
A physical button located in the center of the lockdown bar. Used to activate the auto-plunger and complete in-game actions.
add-a-ball (AAB) #2
A feature that allows the player to earn additional balls by achieving a specific task.
A feature that allows the player to earn additional balls by achieving a specific task.
apron #3
apron
A large attachment at the bottom of the playfield covering the ball trough.
A large attachment at the bottom of the playfield covering the ball trough.
auto-plunger #4
auto-plunger
A mechanism that launches balls into play without requiring manual operation of the plunger.
A mechanism that launches balls into play without requiring manual operation of the plunger.
autosave / ball save #5
Every ball that drains is returned to the plunger for a limited time after launch.
Every ball that drains is returned to the plunger for a limited time after launch.
B
backbox #6
The vertical box at the head of the machine holding the backglass, electronics, display and speakers.
The vertical box at the head of the machine holding the backglass, electronics, display and speakers.
backglass #7
backglass
The upright glass panel in the backbox displaying the game's title and illustration.
The upright glass panel in the backbox displaying the game's title and illustration.
ball #8
ball
A single turn of the game, from plunging to draining.
A single turn of the game, from plunging to draining.
ball lock #9
ball lock
A mechanism where a certain shot catches the ball and holds it to generate a multiball.
A mechanism where a certain shot catches the ball and holds it to generate a multiball.
ball saver #10
ball saver
A feature preventing ball loss by draining.
A feature preventing ball loss by draining.
ball search #11
ball search
If no scoring activity is detected, all solenoids cycle to free any stuck balls.
If no scoring activity is detected, all solenoids cycle to free any stuck balls.
banana flippers #12
banana flippers
Experimental nylon flipper design by Williams in the 1970s.
Experimental nylon flipper design by Williams in the 1970s.
bash target #13
A playfield target designed to be forcefully hit.
A playfield target designed to be forcefully hit.
bonus #14
bonus
Additional points awarded when the ball drains.
Additional points awarded when the ball drains.
bumper #15
bumper
Any component standing vertical to the playfield for the ball to bounce against.
Any component standing vertical to the playfield for the ball to bounce against.
buy-in #16
A feature to continue the game after the last ball has drained.
A feature to continue the game after the last ball has drained.
C
cabinet #17
cabinet
The main body of a pinball machine holding the playfield, glass, and internal mechanisms.
The main body of a pinball machine holding the playfield, glass, and internal mechanisms.
captive ball #18
captive ball
A pinball trapped on the playfield with limited motion.
A pinball trapped on the playfield with limited motion.
coin door #19
coin door
The front panel containing coin slots and mechanisms for payment.
The front panel containing coin slots and mechanisms for payment.
combo #20
combo
An immediate combination of different moves.
An immediate combination of different moves.
credit #21
credit
Allows a player to play one game.
Allows a player to play one game.
D
DMD #22
DMD
Dot-matrix display used to show score and game status.
Dot-matrix display used to show score and game status.
drain #23
The area beneath the flippers where a lost ball ends up.
The area beneath the flippers where a lost ball ends up.
drop target #24
An upright target that drops below the playfield when hit.
An upright target that drops below the playfield when hit.
E
electro-mechanical (EM) #25
electro-mechanical (EM)
A pinball machine running on relays, motors and switches.
A pinball machine running on relays, motors and switches.
extra ball #26
extra ball
An additional bonus ball earned by achieving a specific task.
An additional bonus ball earned by achieving a specific task.
F
flipper #27
flipper
A tapered bat that is the player's primary means of controlling the ball.
A tapered bat that is the player's primary means of controlling the ball.
flipper button #28
flipper button
A pushbutton controlling the flipper, one on each side of the cabinet.
A pushbutton controlling the flipper, one on each side of the cabinet.
G
GI (general illumination) #29
GI (general illumination)
The lights on the playfield used to make it visible.
The lights on the playfield used to make it visible.
H
habitrail #30
habitrail
A wireform path for the ball to travel along above the playfield.
A wireform path for the ball to travel along above the playfield.
house ball #31
When the ball bounces directly into the drain after plunging.
When the ball bounces directly into the drain after plunging.
hurry-up mode #32
hurry-up mode
A timed mode where the player must complete a task quickly.
A timed mode where the player must complete a task quickly.
I
inlane #33
inlane
The inside lane leading the ball back to the flippers.
The inside lane leading the ball back to the flippers.
J
jackpot #34
A specially designated high-value point bonus.
A specially designated high-value point bonus.
K
kickback #35
A launching mechanism inside an outlane that sends the ball back into play.
A launching mechanism inside an outlane that sends the ball back into play.
L
lane #36
lane
Any area of the table just wide enough for the ball to pass through.
Any area of the table just wide enough for the ball to pass through.
lock #37
lock
A mechanism trapping the ball to trigger multiball later.
A mechanism trapping the ball to trigger multiball later.
lockdown bar #38
lockdown bar
The metal piece at the bottom keeping the playfield glass from sliding out.
The metal piece at the bottom keeping the playfield glass from sliding out.
M
magic post #39
magic post
A post that rises between the flippers to block the center drain.
A post that rises between the flippers to block the center drain.
magna-save #40
A player-activated magnet near the outlane entrance.
A player-activated magnet near the outlane entrance.
match #41
A chance to win a free game when the last two digits of the score match a random number.
A chance to win a free game when the last two digits of the score match a random number.
mode #42
mode
A configuration where specific goals must be met in limited time.
A configuration where specific goals must be met in limited time.
multiball #43
multiball
A situation where multiple balls are on the playfield simultaneously.
A situation where multiple balls are on the playfield simultaneously.
O
orbit #44
A path hugging the outer rim of the game.
A path hugging the outer rim of the game.
outlane #45
outlane
The outside lanes leading the ball to the drain.
The outside lanes leading the ball to the drain.
P
passive bumper #46
passive bumper
A bumper that does not kick the ball when hit.
A bumper that does not kick the ball when hit.
playfield #47
playfield
The main flat surface with targets, ramps, orbits, flippers and bumpers.
The main flat surface with targets, ramps, orbits, flippers and bumpers.
plunger #48
A spring-loaded rod the player uses to launch the ball into play.
A spring-loaded rod the player uses to launch the ball into play.
pop bumper #49
pop bumper
Round, mushroom-shaped targets that forcefully kick the ball away when hit.
Round, mushroom-shaped targets that forcefully kick the ball away when hit.
R
ramp #50
ramp
A raised gradient section leading to upper playfields.
A raised gradient section leading to upper playfields.
replay #51
replay
A free game received after reaching a certain score.
A free game received after reaching a certain score.
rollover #52
A flat switch in the playfield activated when the ball rolls over it.
A flat switch in the playfield activated when the ball rolls over it.
S
scoop / saucer #53
scoop / saucer
A hole that catches the ball, then kicks it back into play.
A hole that catches the ball, then kicks it back into play.
shooter lane #54
shooter lane
The lane from the trough/plunger to the playfield.
The lane from the trough/plunger to the playfield.
skill shot #55
skill shot
A bonus for completing a specific task when releasing the ball.
A bonus for completing a specific task when releasing the ball.
slam tilt #56
Caused by violent nudging, may reset the machine.
Caused by violent nudging, may reset the machine.
slingshot #57
Triangular objects on either side of the flippers propelling the ball.
Triangular objects on either side of the flippers propelling the ball.
solenoid #58
solenoid
A coil used to create movement in flippers, kickers and other devices.
A coil used to create movement in flippers, kickers and other devices.
solid-state (SS) #59
solid-state (SS)
A pinball machine using integrated circuits instead of relays.
A pinball machine using integrated circuits instead of relays.
Special #60
A free game earned by achieving a specific in-game task.
A free game earned by achieving a specific in-game task.
spinner #61
A target that rotates when hit and awards points.
A target that rotates when hit and awards points.
staging #63
Partially depressing a flipper button to activate only the lower flipper.
Partially depressing a flipper button to activate only the lower flipper.
standup target #62
A standing target that does not drop when struck.
A standing target that does not drop when struck.
subway #64
subway
A track underneath the playfield moving the ball from one spot to another.
A track underneath the playfield moving the ball from one spot to another.
T
tilt #65
Triggered by excessive nudging. Lights go off, coils stop working.
Triggered by excessive nudging. Lights go off, coils stop working.
topper #66
An extra decoration on top of the backbox.
An extra decoration on top of the backbox.
toy #67
toy
Unique themed objects on the playfield.
Unique themed objects on the playfield.
translight #68
The translucent plastic sheet in the backbox with the game's main illustration.
The translucent plastic sheet in the backbox with the game's main illustration.
V
VUK #69
Short for vertical up-kicker. Synonym for popper.
Short for vertical up-kicker. Synonym for popper.
W
whitewood #70
The prototype playfield used before artwork is applied.
The prototype playfield used before artwork is applied.
widebody #71
widebody
Pinball machines wider than standard.
Pinball machines wider than standard.
wizard mode #72
wizard mode
A special mode started only after completing a long series of tasks.
A special mode started only after completing a long series of tasks.
woodrail #73
woodrail
Pre-1961 pinball machines using wood to frame the playfield glass.
Pre-1961 pinball machines using wood to frame the playfield glass.
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