Airborne Avenger

"Airborne Avenger," released by Atari in September 1977, was the first pinball machine designed by the renowned Steve Ritchie, who would go on to create iconic machines like "Black Knight" and "Firepower" for Williams. This widebody machine features two flippers, three pop bumpers, two kick-out holes, a captive ball, and a roll-under spinner. It was one of Atari's early forays into solid-state pinball, equipped with electronic sound, which was ahead of its time as most manufacturers were still using chime units.​

The artwork was done by George Opperman, the same artist who designed Atari's famous logo, and the software was developed by Eugene Jarvis, another future pinball legend.

Though it sold 3,420 units, Airborne Avenger is not fondly remembered today. Its appearance still receives praise, but its gameplay is widely criticized for being slow and frustrating.