The Empire Strikes Back, released by Hankin in 1980, stands as an ambitious, widebody relic of the early solid-state era. Designed by David Hankin, this rarity occupies a unique niche in arcade history, capturing the tension of the cinematic sequel on a sprawling playfield that feels cavernous by the standards of its time. With a production run of only about 350 units, it is a true collector’s prize that eschews the cramped quarters of contemporary tables for a wide, open expanse that demands precision and patience to navigate.
The gameplay is anchored by a dense array of targets, including a critical three-bank drop target setup and a standalone drop target that act as the primary gates for advancing through the game’s objectives. Players must utilize a four-flipper configuration to maneuver around four active pop bumpers and two passive bumpers, while dual spinning targets add an unpredictable, chaotic kinetic energy to the playfield. Two strategically placed kick-out holes serve as the primary reward centers, requiring the player to master the geometry of the widebody layout to keep the ball in play while chasing the high-score modes inherent to the era’s alphanumeric scoring.
Mastering this machine requires a disciplined approach to the drop targets; because the playfield is so expansive, relying on erratic shots will almost certainly result in a drain through the wide outlanes. Instead, focus on trapping the ball on the lower flippers to set up controlled shots at the spinning targets, which are essential for building your multiplier. Given the scarcity of these machines, encountering one is an event in itself—it is a brutal, rewarding test of mechanical skill that forces you to respect the physics of a wider, more unforgiving playing surface.