Big Bang Bar Remake – The Pinball Rumour Mill
Big Bang Bar Remake by Pedretti? The Pinball Rumour Mill
Big Bang Bar, released by Capcom Coin‑Op in June 1996, remains etched into pinball folklore as one of the most intriguing “what could have been” pinball machines of the late 1990s. Only 12 prototype machines were officially listed as produced, following Capcom’s decision to fold its pinball division amid plunging sales. The game’s combination of risqué artwork, notable for the time, neon-lit sci-fi bar theming and complex rule-set cemented its cult status.
Capcom & Illinois Pinball Company
The origin story is rich with drama: Capcom entered the pinball market with high hopes, but by late 1996 the company had shut down its pinball operations altogether, never delivering a full production run of Big Bang Bar. Years later, in 2006, Illinois Pinball Company produced about 190 machines using up the remaining parts procured from Capcom’s inventory. This all adds to the mystique of Big Bang Bar as a rare, much sought-after artefact.
Big Bang Bar Remake by Pedretti?
Fast-forward to the present, and the rumour mill is now spinning around a potential Big Bang Bar remake. At the heart of the speculation is Italian manufacturer Pedretti Gaming, known for its faithful remakes of classic titles and precision build quality. Pedretti has been increasingly active in the remake field and is rumoured to be taking on Big Bang Bar as its next marquee project. Furthermore Kineticist lists Big Bang Bar among upcoming pinball machines and rumours in its 2025 Outlook, lending further weight to the possibility of a revival.
What makes this story particularly compelling is the intersection of nostalgia, rarity and modern pinball manufacturing capability. Pedretti Gaming, founded in the late 2010s and rooted in the long-standing Pedretti coin-op heritage, has developed a reputation for faithful builds, working with modern electronics while preserving classic layouts and feel. If they indeed take on a Big Bang Bar remake, players could see a machine that honours the original’s design while adding contemporary refinements, perhaps improved playfield toys and updated software with enhanced LED lighting and quality sound.
One of the headline machines of the year
Of course, like all rumours, there are caveats. Nothing has been officially announced, and as the historical record reminds us, the original Big Bang Bar was promised many years ago and only partially delivered. That said, the combination of an iconic title, the dedication of a specialist manufacturer and the appetite in the market for high-quality pinball remakes suggests this could be one of the headline machines of the year, or more probably next year.
Big Bang Bar Remake – hear it here first
Big Bang Bar’s story is one of lost potential turned cult legend. The rumours now swirling around a remake by Pedretti Gaming offers the possibility of resurrecting a much-loved cult status pinball machine for a new generation. For collectors and players alike, it’s a rumour mill well worth keeping an eye on.
Hear it here first on the Pinball Rumour Mill.
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