Why Is Godzilla Considered the Greatest Pinball Machine of All Time?

The Modern Masterpiece That Finally Challenged Medieval Madness

For decades, one machine sat comfortably at the top of almost every collector's list: Medieval Madness.

Released by Williams in 1997, it became the benchmark against which every great pinball machine was measured. Incredible flow, fantastic humour, memorable toys and timeless gameplay kept it at the top for over twenty years.

Then, in 2021, Godzilla arrived.

Designed by Keith Elwin, Godzilla didn't simply become another great modern machine. It became the first game in decades that many collectors genuinely believed deserved to stand alongside—or even above—Medieval Madness.

So why has Godzilla earned that reputation?

A Theme Fans Had Been Waiting For

One of Godzilla's biggest strengths is that Stern understood exactly what fans wanted.

Rather than focusing on the Hollywood movies, the game celebrates the classic Japanese era, featuring legendary monsters such as King Ghidorah, Mothra, Rodan, Anguirus and many others.

For longtime Godzilla fans, this was the dream machine they had hoped for.

Every monster feels authentic to the source material, and the game captures the atmosphere of the classic films beautifully.

Keith Elwin's Incredible Layout

If there's one reason players fall in love with Godzilla almost immediately, it's the layout.

Keith Elwin created one of the smoothest and most satisfying playfields ever designed.

We explored Keith's design philosophy in our Keith Elwin Designer Series, and Godzilla may well be his greatest achievement.

The upper flipper opens unique shot opportunities, the loops flow effortlessly into one another, and the famous building shots constantly change depending on the position of the collapsing skyscraper.

Perhaps the most satisfying shot is the famous right loop, where the ball races around the playfield before returning in a way that feels incredibly rewarding every single time.

Every shot is enjoyable.

That's remarkably difficult to achieve.

One of the Greatest Toys Ever Built

The collapsing building has already become one of the greatest mechanisms in pinball history.

Throughout the game, the skyscraper rises and falls, changing how the ball travels around the playfield.

During multiball, Godzilla destroys the building, collapsing it dramatically into the playfield before it rises once again.

It's not just spectacular to watch.

It's also deeply integrated into the gameplay, constantly changing strategies and shot selection.

Few toys have ever combined presentation and gameplay so successfully.

Artwork That Explodes with Energy

The artwork by Zombie Yeti is simply outstanding.

Every surface bursts with colour, destruction and movement.

Godzilla dominates the cabinet while cities crumble around him, surrounded by iconic monsters that instantly transport players into the classic universe.

It's one of the strongest art packages Stern has ever produced.

If you'd like to take that artwork even further, our Best Godzilla Pinball Mods guide showcases some of the most popular upgrades available, while our complete Godzilla Pinball Mods collection explores ways to extend that artwork throughout the entire machine.

A Ruleset That Changed Modern Pinball

Where Medieval Madness perfected the late-1990s style of rules, Godzilla represents everything modern software design has become.

The rules, developed by Raymond Davidson, are extraordinarily deep while remaining surprisingly approachable for new players.

Instead of following a mostly linear progression, players develop abilities, unlock upgrades, battle different monsters, choose strategic paths and combine objectives in countless ways.

Every game feels slightly different.

That's one of the reasons experienced owners continue discovering new strategies years after buying the machine.

Incredible Sound and Presentation

Presentation is another area where Godzilla excels.

The soundtrack includes the legendary "Godzilla" by Blue Öyster Cult, while the sound design constantly immerses players in the chaos of giant monster battles.

Voice actor Rick Zieff delivers memorable callouts alongside a colourful cast of characters, including scientists, military personnel, reporters and alien invaders inspired by the classic films.

Every sound effect, animation and piece of music reinforces the feeling that you're playing inside a giant kaiju movie.

Easy to Learn, Difficult to Master

One of Godzilla's greatest achievements is accessibility.

Beginners can enjoy making shots almost immediately thanks to the forgiving layout, while experienced players have an enormous amount of strategic depth waiting for them.

That balance is incredibly rare.

It's one of the biggest reasons the machine appeals to everyone from casual home players to tournament competitors.

Did It Really Surpass Medieval Madness?

Whether Godzilla is objectively better than Medieval Madness will always be debated.

What isn't debated is this:

For more than twenty years, no machine seriously challenged Medieval Madness for the title of greatest pinball machine ever made.

Godzilla finally did.

It combines spectacular artwork, revolutionary mechanical design, world-class layout, deep software, outstanding presentation and one of the greatest themes in pinball history into a package that feels remarkably complete.

Very few machines excel in every category.

Godzilla does.

That's why so many collectors now consider it the greatest pinball machine of all time.