Our launcher was carefully engineered using a long wooden stick as the primary mechanism for generating tension and propulsion. This stick was integrated into a custom 3D-printed housing that we specifically designed to fit the dimensions and mechanical needs of our pinball machine. The 3D-printed model was securely mounted to the back of the launcher system, ensuring stability during repeated use. To enhance both the aesthetic and tactile experience, we affixed a laser-etched coin to the front of the launcher, which not only served as a decorative element but also provided a functional surface for the user to pull and release. 

This launcher is a critical component of the pinball machine, designed to initiate gameplay by forcefully launching the ball onto the playfield. By converting stored mechanical energy into kinetic energy with precision, it propels the ball at high speed into the playing area, setting the game in motion. Its reliable and responsive design ensures that each launch feels satisfying and consistent, creating a dynamic and engaging start to every round.

To create the bumper for our pinball machine, we designed and 3D printed a cone-shaped structure that could effectively react during gameplay. We applied copper tape to both the surface of the cone and the surrounding area on the playfield to act as contact points. This design allowed the bumper to detect when the metal pinball made contact, triggering a physical response that added excitement and speed to the game. 

At the heart of the bumper mechanism is a solenoid, which we used to rapidly close the distance between the bumper and the board when activated. When the solenoid fired, it pushed the cone-shaped bumper downward, creating enough force to launch the pinball away at a high velocity. This interaction mimicked the function of real pinball bumpers, where a ball striking the component is quickly bounced back into play. 

The bumper's activation was controlled by a simple but effective electrical circuit. Copper tape was connected to both a ground wire and a GPIO pin on the Raspberry Pi Pico. When the metal pinball rolled between the two pieces of copper tape, it acted as a conductor, closing the circuit. This closure sent a signal to the Pico, which then triggered the solenoid through a coded instruction. The result was an instant, reactive bumper that responded automatically whenever the ball passed underneath. This component plays a vital role in maintaining the pace and unpredictability of the game, propelling the ball with high speed and enhancing the overall interactivity and realism of the pinball machine.

To create the targets for our pinball machine, we laser-cut durable rods that fit precisely into pre-designed slots on the playfield. Each rod was carefully measured to ensure it could move freely when struck by the ball, yet return to its position afterward. The rods were supported by digitally fabricated mounts that held them securely while angling them in a way that would reliably activate a button beneath upon impact. When the pinball hit the rod with enough force, the motion would press the small button below, signaling a successful hit. The system was designed for both reliability and responsiveness. Among all the targets, the central and largest one was programmed to be worth the most points—1,000 points—making it a high-reward objective for players and a focal point during gameplay.

The coding for the targets was one of the more creative aspects of the build. Unlike other components that were more mechanically straightforward, the targets offered opportunities to experiment with game design and player experience. We used a series of if-else statements to assign specific point values to each target, which allowed us to shape how players interact with the playfield. This also lets us think strategically about scoring—placing harder-to-hit targets in higher-scoring areas to encourage skilled play. Additionally, LEDs were programmed to light up in coordination with each target's activation, adding a visual reward to the already satisfying score increase. This blend of interaction, visual feedback, and point tracking brought the targets to life and made gameplay more immersive. 

The target system serves as a central element in the pinball machine’s gameplay loop, offering players a clear way to earn points and progress. Each time a ball strikes a target and triggers a response, it creates a satisfying sense of achievement, reinforcing player engagement and encouraging repeated attempts. The high-value targets, like the 1,000-point rod, are intentionally placed to be more difficult to reach, giving players a goal to strive for with each round. By rewarding accuracy and timing, the target system adds purpose and excitement to the pinball experience. Overall, these components inject energy into the game and contribute to the mission of racking up as many points as possible before running out of lives.

We utilized a laser cutter to precisely shape the components of our flippers, allowing for consistency and symmetry in their design. After cutting, we carefully glued multiple layers together to reach the optimal height, ensuring the flippers would consistently make contact with the pinball during gameplay. This layering approach gave us control over both the strength and reach of the flipper arms. Once assembled, we went through multiple rounds of prototyping to determine the correct placement of the flippers and the targets they would strike. This process was essential in making sure that, when hit by the solenoid, each flipper released just the right amount of force. After each flipper was activated, it would automatically retract back to its resting position with the help of a tension spring, ready for the next hit.

 The programming for the flippers was relatively simple but effective. We used an if-else conditional statement to control their activation based on user input. Each flipper was tied to a button located on either side of the pinball machine—one for the left flipper and one for the right. When a player pressed a button, the code detected a True input, which instantly triggered the corresponding solenoid to activate and move the flipper. The response time had to be nearly instantaneous to ensure proper gameplay mechanics, so the logic was kept clean and efficient. Once the button was released, the solenoid deactivated, and the spring mechanism brought the flipper back to its original position.

 The flipper system plays a critical role in the gameplay experience, giving players direct control over the ball’s movement and offering a way to keep it in play. When functioning properly, the flippers are capable of propelling the ball back into the active play area with considerable force, allowing players to aim and interact with other elements on the board. However, this component also introduces a skill element: the flippers have a limited range of motion and are spaced slightly apart, leaving a small gap between them. This gap adds tension and challenge, as mistimed or inaccurate flipper use can allow the ball to pass through and result in a lost life. The balance of power, timing, and risk makes the flipper system a vital and engaging part of the pinball machine

To integrate a dynamic rotating element into our pinball machine, we utilized a 3D printer to fabricate a custom attachment for the servo motor. This printed part was carefully designed to fit precisely into a pre-cut slot on the playing board, ensuring smooth and stable movement. Once printed, it was fitted into place and connected directly to a mounted servo motor positioned underneath the board. To secure the servo motor itself, we also 3D printed a specialized mount that wrapped snugly around its body. The mount included built-in holes to allow for easy screwing into the board, guaranteeing that the servo remained steady during operation. This structural stability was essential, as the servo would rotate regularly and needed to endure repeated motion without shifting or wobbling.

The coding aspect of this component was the most complex part of the entire programming process. I wanted the servo to rotate continuously in alternating directions every few seconds, without interrupting the rest of the code’s execution using the time function.sleep()—which would freeze the microcontroller and affect other interactive elements. To achieve this, I explored ways for the Raspberry Pi Pico to track real-time events and discovered the time.monotonic() function. This tool allowed the Pico to measure elapsed time continuously, enabling me to write a function that compares the current time to a target time (three seconds ahead). When the elapsed time reached that target, the servo’s rotation direction would switch. This allowed the servo to operate on an independent timing loop, smoothly reversing direction every three seconds without pausing or blocking other code functions running simultaneously.

This rotating servo component serves a dual purpose in our pinball machine: as both an interactive gameplay mechanism and an eye-catching decorative feature. From a functional perspective, the rotating attachment is strategically placed in the ball's path, causing it to deflect or change direction upon contact. This unpredictable movement adds challenge and variety to the gameplay, helping to send the ball into new areas of the board that players might not easily reach otherwise. Beyond its gameplay role, the rotating structure also supports a miniature building mounted on top purely for visual effect. Positioned near the top of the playfield, this rotating decorative element draws the eye and adds dynamic movement, enhancing the machine’s overall aesthetic appeal and making it more engaging for players and onlookers alike.

To build the scoreboard system for our pinball machine, we used a compact digital screen capable of displaying numbers, words, and symbols. This screen was securely mounted to a custom-designed stand, which we fabricated to position the display at a visible angle on the machine. The mount not only keeps the scoreboard stable but also emphasizes its importance by drawing the player's attention toward it during gameplay. We carefully considered the scoreboard’s placement so that players could track their score, lives, and other game stats without losing focus on the action. The wiring connected the display to our Raspberry Pi Pico, allowing for real-time updates to be shown as players interacted with various components of the board.

The programming behind the scoreboard began with establishing variables to manage essential game data such as the player's current score, remaining lives, and collected points. These variables were constantly updated as the player triggered bumpers, hit targets, or lost a ball. One of the unique elements we implemented was a visual cue using custom variables and symbols, such as “$$$", to represent money earned throughout the game, which doubled as points. This creative touch tied directly into the theme of our pinball machine, adding both style and clarity to the user experience. We also designed a welcoming start screen that introduced the player to the game with themed messages and information, establishing a fun and immersive tone from the moment the machine powers on.

The primary purpose of our scoreboard is to deliver real-time feedback to the player by displaying critical gameplay information such as score totals and remaining lives. However, the scoreboard serves more than just a functional role—it also adds personality to the game. Through clever use of symbols, thematic messages, and visual formatting, the display becomes an extension of the game’s creative identity. It interacts with the player on an emotional level, reinforcing progress, success, or challenge. This not only keeps the player engaged but also enhances the overall storytelling and entertainment value of the machine, making the experience feel more complete and interactive.

We were provided with LED light strips to enhance the aesthetics and interactivity of our pinball machine. Once wired correctly, these strips were programmed to display specific colors tied to gameplay elements. However, the installation process presented unexpected challenges. The spacing of the LEDs on the strip didn’t align perfectly with the pre-cut holes in the board, which required a creative, hands-on solution. To fix this, we manually positioned each LED so it aligned with a hole, then secured it using a combination of tape and staples to ensure they stayed in place during gameplay. This meticulous process had to be repeated for each individual LED across the board, which added to the labor but ultimately created a visually appealing and functional lighting layout.

The code controlling the LED lights was primarily structured using straightforward if-else statements, which made it easier to integrate with other components such as the bumpers and targets. However, one of the more complex aspects was learning how to implement dynamic light patterns without interfering with the timing or functionality of the overall pinball logic. To address this, I researched how to manipulate NeoPixel strips and discovered code that allowed for cycling colors and animations. I then modified variable names, tweaked the timing functions, and rewrote certain sections to ensure it worked with our existing codebase. This trial-and-error approach helped us achieve smooth and responsive lighting effects that react to in-game events.

The LED system plays a critical role in both the visual and functional design of the pinball machine. Beyond simply illuminating the board, the LEDs are strategically placed to interact with gameplay and guide the player's experience. For instance, when a bumper is activated, a corresponding light on a mini-map at the bottom of the board flashes, indicating where the ball currently is. This feature provides players with an intuitive sense of progress and spatial orientation. Additionally, when the main target at the top of the board is hit—a difficult task that yields high points—a dramatic lighting sequence plays, emphasizing the importance of the moment and rewarding the player with a burst of color and energy. These LED reactions make the game more immersive, helping to maintain excitement and visual appeal throughout the session.

The board design is by far the main attraction of our pinball machine. My partner and I initially struggled to come up with a unique and original theme that would allow us to showcase our creativity and artistic skills. After much brainstorming, we landed on the idea of the Japanese bullet train—the Shinkansen—and its many destinations. This theme inspired our hand-painted artwork and playful decorations, such as a sumo wrestler figure. The Shinkansen concept is woven throughout the entire machine: from the use of Japanese writing that adds vibrant energy, to the clever naming of points as "cash" or "$$$," and even the mini map at the bottom of the board that represents the various locations the ball can interact with. The result is a cohesive and visually engaging experience centered around the excitement of high-speed travel.