UK Machine Record
Stern · 2018 · at 10 UK venues.
The Beatles pinball machine is one of the more unusual modern machines, taking the band’s career and turning it into a musical journey through their songs and different eras. Rather than focusing on a single film or album, the game uses the band’s history as the framework for its progression.
The music is central to the experience, with songs and Beatles imagery integrated into the rules and presentation. Different eras provide different objectives, giving the game a sense of movement through the band’s career.
It is a machine that works particularly well for players who know the music, because familiar songs become landmarks as you learn the game. Pick an era, learn its shots and let the music guide you through the table.
Written by Silverball
Silverball guide · Beatles · written on a Gold
The Beatles is a small, fast machine that scores in thousands rather than millions, and it hides one genuinely large number behind a decision most players never realise they are making.
Played Beatles enough to have an opinion? Write it up.
Three lit caps under the arch at the top of the playfield, the busiest part of the game.
The vinyl printed in the middle of the playfield, with John, Paul, George and Ringo named on the four faces around it.
Named above the flippers: All My Loving, Drive My Car, I Should Have Known Better, Ticket To Ride, It Won’t Be Long.
Written by Silverball
Strategy tips written by players on PinTips , not by Silverball. Best-voted first.
On the last ball, if it hasn't been played yet, use the the flippers to choose "All My Loving" before plunging for a 2-ball multiball.
3 skillshots: 10K: Short plunge star rollover 25K: Medium plunge and shoot loop with upper flipper 100K: Plunge gap at the top of the loop
Completing all three sets of drop targets on one ball (FAB, FOUR and 1964) lights extra ball at an inlane (and is then moved by slingshots).
On the last ball, if it hasn't been played yet, use the the flippers to choose "All My Loving" before plunging for a 2-ball multiball.
When mode ends, the standup behind the "FAB" targets is lit for a Super Jackpot. The value depends on how well you played the mode.
One of the three drop target banks will have a lit "X" in front of it. Complete that bank to increase you bonus multiplier.
Completing all three drop target banks on one ball will light an Extra Ball on the inlanes. The inlane light alternates with sling shots.
WARNING to use flippers to select your mode immediately before plunging, the modes will cycle on their own from inactivity every 15 sec or so.
Tips belong to the players who wrote them. Read them all, vote, or add your own on PinTips, a Match Play project.
Close-ups of the Beatles playfield, with our note on what each one is showing you.
The F-A-B drop targets, above the BEATLEMANIA lettering.
The John, Paul, George and Ringo star inserts, beside the upper flipper.
A pop bumper cap, with the 1-9-6-4 targets behind it.
The F-O-U-R drop targets, above the record at the centre of the playfield.
Photographs via the Internet Pinball Database. The captions are ours.
Community tutorials on YouTube, not made by Silverball.
Videos from YouTube, curated from channels we rate. They belong to their creators, who aren’t affiliated with Silverball; links open on YouTube so the view counts for them. A creator who’d rather not be listed can get in touch and we’ll remove it.
How Beatles was sold to operators — Stern, 2018. The back is the feature list the manufacturer led with, which is a fair record of what the machine was meant to be famous for.
Flyer scan via the Internet Pinball Database. The artwork is Stern’s.
One reviewer's opinion, not a Silverball verdict, and not a guide to playing.
Videos from YouTube, curated from channels we rate. They belong to their creators, who aren’t affiliated with Silverball; links open on YouTube so the view counts for them. A creator who’d rather not be listed can get in touch and we’ll remove it.
Where a machine sits is Pinball Map’s work, not ours, find Beatles near you on their map. Ratings, tips and tournament results here are ours.
