The Fastest Modern Pinball Machines

Some pinball machines reward patience.

Others demand lightning-fast reactions.

The fastest modern pinball machines don't give players time to think—they force you to react instinctively, making every shot, rebound and combo feel exhilarating. These are the games that keep your heart racing from the first plunge to the last ball.

Interestingly, one pattern quickly emerges.

This list is largely dominated by two legendary designers: Steve Ritchie and John Borg. While their philosophies differ, both have built reputations for creating machines that push players to their limits.

Star Trek

If there's one modern machine that perfectly represents speed, it's Star Trek.

Steve Ritchie designed the game around continuous flow, with smooth shot geometry that keeps the ball moving almost constantly. One successful combo naturally feeds into another, making experienced players feel like they're surfing across the playfield.

There's almost no downtime.

Every shot seems to accelerate the next.

It's one of the purest examples of why Steve Ritchie earned the nickname The King of Flow.

If you'd like to learn more about his design philosophy, read our Steve Ritchie Pinball Designer article.

Sonic

Sonic was practically built around speed.

That shouldn't surprise anyone.

The Sonic video game franchise has always been about momentum, and Steve Ritchie translated that philosophy brilliantly into pinball.

Fast loops.

Fast combos.

Fast returns.

The machine constantly encourages players to keep the ball moving, creating one of the quickest modern games Stern has ever released.

The energetic artwork, colourful presentation and incredible pace perfectly capture what makes Sonic so iconic.

Explore our Sonic Pinball Mods to personalize Jersey Jack Pinball's latest release.

TRON

TRON may not always be the first machine people mention when discussing speed, but once the ball starts flying, it's easy to understand why players love it.

The clean layout rewards precision while maintaining exceptional flow between shots.

Combined with its spectacular lighting and soundtrack, the speed feels even more intense as every successful combo is accompanied by glowing effects across the playfield.

It's one of the most immersive fast-playing machines ever built.

Discover our TRON Pinball Mods to complete the ultimate Grid experience.

Iron Man

Iron Man has earned a reputation for being absolutely unforgiving.

John Borg created a layout filled with dangerous rebounds, demanding shots and extremely fast ball returns.

Mistakes are punished immediately.

Even experienced players regularly describe Iron Man as one of Stern's toughest modern machines.

Its speed isn't created through flowing combos alone—it's the relentless pace that keeps players under constant pressure.

Black Knight: Sword of Rage

Steve Ritchie's return to Black Knight brought exactly what fans expected.

Raw speed.

The upper playfield, screaming fast shots and aggressive geometry combine to produce one of Stern's quickest modern experiences.

The game never feels slow.

Instead, it constantly dares players to keep control while everything happens at incredible speed.

Avengers: Infinity Quest

John Borg once again demonstrates why his games demand fast reflexes.

Infinity Quest features numerous tight shots, rapid ricochets and challenging feeds that constantly force players to react.

The game rewards precision but never gives players much time to relax.

Every successful combo feels earned.

Explore our Avengers Infinity Quest Pinball Mods to customize one of Marvel's greatest pinball adventures.

Spider-Man

Spider-Man remains one of Steve Ritchie's finest achievements.

The flowing ramps, quick orbits and satisfying shot geometry make it incredibly easy to keep long combo chains alive.

It's fast without ever feeling unfair.

Players quickly discover why so many competitive players continue returning to Spider-Man years after its release.

Star Wars (2017)

Few modern Stern machines play as quickly as Star Wars.

Steve Ritchie packed the game with flowing shots, rapid mode progression and relentless action that rarely gives players a chance to breathe.

Combined with the game's exceptional lighting package, every game feels intense from start to finish.

If you're looking to personalize your machine, explore our Star Wars Pinball Mods.

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles perfectly showcases John Borg's signature style.

The shots are fast.

The rebounds are dangerous.

The ball often feels like it's only one mistake away from draining.

That's exactly why so many skilled players love it.

TMNT demands concentration every second you're playing, making every successful game incredibly satisfying.

Two Designers Who Defined Fast Pinball

Looking at this list, one thing becomes impossible to ignore.

Steve Ritchie and John Borg dominate modern high-speed pinball.

Steve Ritchie built his reputation on smooth, flowing layouts that encourage players to string together beautiful combinations without losing momentum.

John Borg approaches speed differently.

His machines are often more aggressive, featuring tighter shots, dangerous rebounds and layouts that punish even small mistakes.

Both styles are incredibly exciting.

They're simply fast in different ways.

If you enjoy these machines, you'll also enjoy learning more about John Borg Pinball Designer and Steve Ritchie Pinball Designer, two of the most influential designers in modern pinball history.

The Thrill Never Stops

Fast pinball isn't simply about ball speed.

It's about momentum.

It's about layouts that constantly challenge your reflexes while rewarding confident shot-making.

Whether you prefer Steve Ritchie's flowing masterpieces or John Borg's brutally demanding layouts, these machines represent some of the fastest—and most exciting—pinball experiences ever created.

And if you're lucky enough to own one, premium custom artwork is the perfect way to make an already unforgettable machine even more spectacular.