Data East Pinball Logo

Data East made pinball machines from 1987 through 1994, and included innovations such as the first pinball to have stereo sound, the first usage of a small dot matrix display, along with the first usage of a big DMD (192×64).

In designing pinball machines Data East showed a strong preference for using high-profile licensed movies and TV shows such as The Simpsons and Lethal Weapon 3.

Their pinball division was created in 1985 by purchasing the pinball division of Stern. and its factory and assets. Amidst plummeting sales across the entire pinball market, The company chose to exit the pinball business and sold their factory to Sega in 1994.

At the time of the buyout, They were the world’s second-largest pinball manufacturer, holding 25 percent of the market.

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