Shaq Attaq

This basketball themed pinball from Gottlieb is “a real slam dunk!” Released in 1995, and designed by Jon Norris, the machine was built on the reliable Gottlieb System 3 MPU architecture, with a total production run of 3,380 units.

The game serves as a licensed tribute to NBA superstar Shaquille O'Neal during the height of his early-career dominance with the Orlando Magic. At the heart of the mechanical action is a unique swinging basketball hoop toy positioned at the back of the playfield. Players must utilize a specialized launcher ramp to flick the pinball directly into the moving net to score.

The game puts the player in Shaquille O'Neal's Reeboks, challenging him to complete four qualifying events and make it to the finals. Win the Tip-Off, play HORSE, make the Alley-Oop, beat the Shot Clock, and Shatter the Backboard. Use the ramp to launch pinballs into the moving playfield basket, catch the rebounds from the spinning court disc, and collect Game Balls for even more rewards. Start the Shaq Attaq Multiball to rack up the baskets, go Slammin' Jammin' and build up the bonuses, but only the best will be able to uncover all the Hidden Features and prove themselves as MVPs

The software tracks two separate metrics on the Dot Matrix Display (DMD): standard pinball points and physical basketball points. Hitting the vari-target with speed triggers a satisfying "shattering backboard" animation and glass-breaking sound effect, while completing the letters in "SHAQUILLE" unlocks lucrative progressive modes.

Progressing through the game rewards players with three unique multiball modes and opportunities to collect "game balls" to trade for premium mystery rewards. The ultimate goal of the game is to outlast the ticking buzzer-beater countdowns, complete the feature grid, and advance deep into the playoffs to trigger the high-stakes "Finals" wizard mode. Custom speech calls recorded by Shaq himself add an extra layer of 90s nostalgia and arcade energy to the audio presentation.

Today, Shaq Attaq is celebrated in the pinball community as an approachable, and highly accessible title. It functions as an ideal entry-level machine for beginners due to its easy-to-understand rules, while still delivering a frantic table speed that keeps seasoned collectors engaged.