Buy Fish Tales Pinball Machine Australia | Williams Original

Fish Tales Pinball Machine (Williams, 1992) — Fully Refurbished, Ready to Ship Australia-Wide

Some pinball machines earn their reputation through licensing, and some earn it purely on gameplay. This Fish Tales pinball machine falls firmly into the second camp. Released by Williams in October 1992 and designed by Mark Ritchie, it’s gone on to become one of Williams’ 20 most-produced machines ever made, with over 13,600 units sold — and more than three decades later, it still ranks inside the Pinside Top 100 among collectors worldwide.

Aussie Arcade Games has sourced, inspected, and refurbished this Fish Tales pinball machine specifically for Australian buyers, so instead of gambling on an unverified overseas import or a private listing with unknown wear, you get a machine that’s been fully tested and configured for Australian power standards before it ever reaches your home or venue.

Why Buy This Fish Tales Pinball Machine

Here’s the honest case for why this table punches well above its weight:

• It’s a genuine “player’s pin.” Collectors consistently praise its tight layout, fast ball times, and simple-but-addictive gameplay loop — this isn’t a machine that relies on its theme to carry it.
• Iconic, memorable toys. The talking, tail-thrashing fish mounted above the backglass and the fishing-rod-shaped autoplunger are instantly recognisable to anyone who grew up around arcades or pubs in the 90s.
• Proven longevity. With a production run of 13,640 units, parts, playfield reproductions, and community knowledge remain widely available, so long-term ownership and servicing are far easier than with rarer, harder-to-source tables.
• Fast, satisfying shot flow. Criss-crossing ramps and a rollunder spinner keep the ball moving quickly, rewarding sharp reflexes over long, slow strategy sessions.
• A genuinely fun objective. The goal — catch fish and tell the tallest tales about their size — gives the whole table a lighthearted, competitive edge that plays well in group settings.

Fish Tales Pinball Machine Overview

This Fish Tales pinball machine puts you in the boat with a cast of exaggerating anglers, chasing bragging rights rather than a Hollywood plot. The playfield features two flippers, two criss-crossing ramps, a rollunder spinner, and a captive ball styled as a small fishing boat. Above the backglass, a plastic fish figure reacts and thrashes its tail when you hit key objectives, giving the whole cabinet a sense of life even between shots.

The central strategic hook is the Caster’s Club lock shot — land three locks via the rotary fishing-reel mechanism and you’ll kick off multiball, where the biggest points on the table are up for grabs. A separate set of side targets lets you “catch” fish, triggering a short window to bank points before the moment passes, keeping the pace brisk from the first ball to the last.

Key Features of Fish Tales Pinball Machine

• Talking, tail-thrashing fish topper mounted above the backglass, reacting to key shots
• Fishing-rod-shaped autoplunger — a small but memorable detail true to the theme
• Caster’s Club rotary reel lock — three successful locks trigger multiball
• Two criss-crossing ramps plus a rollunder spinner for fast, flowing shots
• Captive ball shaped like a fishing boat, adding a unique physical touch to the playfield
• Side-target “catch a fish” objective, rewarding quick, aggressive shot-taking
• Original Williams WPC hardware (Fliptronics II) — one of the most respected and serviceable pinball platforms ever built
• Sound and music by Chris Granner, adding to the game’s lighthearted, arcade-pub atmosphere

Specifications of Fish Tales Pinball Machine

Why Choose Aussie Arcade Games Over Other Sellers

If you’ve searched for a fish tales pinball machine for sale before, you’ve probably noticed the market is crowded with private listings of wildly inconsistent quality — everything from barely-touched classics to project machines with worn ramps, dead GI lighting, or a sluggish autoplunger mechanism. Because this table has been through decades of arcade and home use, condition varies enormously from one listing to the next.

Every williams fish tales pinball machine we sell goes through full bench-testing, playfield inspection, and mechanical servicing before it leaves our workshop — with particular attention to the fishing-reel lock mechanism and captive ball track, since these are the components most prone to wear on a 30-year-old table. We also handle local delivery and light in-home assembly, so a 113 kg cabinet is never something you have to move alone. Buyers searching specifically for a fish tales pinball machine for sale australia are usually trying to avoid the cost and risk of importing from the US — we remove that risk entirely by stocking, servicing, and delivering locally.

Buying Considerations of Fish Tales Pinball Machine

Worth thinking through before you buy:

• Space — this is one of the taller cabinets in its era at 213 cm, so check ceiling and doorway clearance in addition to floor space.
• Access points — the backbox typically folds down for transport through tighter doorways and stairwells.
• Power — this unit is already configured for Australian 230V outlets, with no transformer or rewiring required.
• Wear parts — rubbers, bulbs (or LED conversions), and switches are consumable on any 1990s machine; ask what’s already been replaced during refurbishment.
• Ongoing support — confirm your seller offers after-sale servicing, since even a freshly refurbished machine benefits from a follow-up adjustment once rubbers and belts settle in.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is this based on a TV show or movie?

No — Fish Tales is an original Williams theme built around fishing and tall tales, not a licensed property, which is part of why it’s remained affordable and easy to service compared with movie or TV-licensed tables of the same era.

How does the fishing reel lock work?

Landing shots at the Caster’s Club builds toward a lock via the rotary reel mechanism; three successful locks trigger multiball, where the largest point awards on the table become available.

Is this a good machine for beginners, or only experienced players?

It’s widely regarded as an accessible, fast-flowing table that’s forgiving enough for newer players while still offering enough depth to keep experienced players coming back.

Does it come ready to play?

Yes — every pinball machine Fish Tales buyers order through us is fully refurbished, bench-tested, and calibrated before delivery, with on-site setup available.

Is it a good long-term investment?

With one of the largest production runs of any Williams table and consistently strong demand, well-maintained examples tend to hold their value better than rarer, harder-to-service machines.

Do you deliver outside Darwin?

We arrange freight across Australia — get in touch for a delivery quote to your location.

Ready to Cast Your Line?

A properly serviced Fish Tales pinball machine is one of the most reliable, enjoyable classics you can bring into a home games room, bar, or venue — and with a production run this size, well-kept examples remain genuinely easy to find parts and support for. If you’ve been searching for a trustworthy way to buy one in Australia without the risk of an overseas gamble, this is it.

Get in Touch

📞 +61 468 264 527

✉️ sales@aussiearcadegames.com

📍 29 Smith St, Darwin City NT 0800, Australia