Williams’ Fire! Champagne Edition is an exceptionally rare, gold-accented variant of Barry Oursler’s classic 1987 firefighting simulation. With an estimated production run of only 273 units, this deluxe version elevates Mark Sprenger’s vibrant, turn-of-the-century rescue aesthetic into a true collector’s centerpiece. The game’s crowning achievement is its spectacular mechanical backbox animation, which uses a clever arrangement of moving parts and lights to simulate a roaring, flickering house fire. On the playfield, Oursler utilizes a unique layout dominated by fifteen standup targets, dual horseshoe lanes, and three moving ramps that physically lift to mimic rescue ladders, creating a kinetic, three-dimensional battlefield.
Gameplay begins at the plunger, where a precise skill shot into the 100,000-point switch sets the tone for a high-scoring run. The primary objective is to combat the spreading blazes across the lower playfield. The points awarded for extinguishing these fires are tied to a dynamic multiplier visible beneath the main ladder; completing fire targets increases this value, while failing to control new outbreaks will actively degrade your potential payout. To build momentum, players should target the lit center horseshoe turnaround. This loop not only builds up the bonus multiplier but also mechanically raises the center ladder, exposing the critical pathways needed to lock balls.
For tournament players, mastering the multi-ball sequence is the key to securing a high score. Extinguishing the lower playfield fires lights the locks, which can then be collected via the outer orbits. Once two balls are secured, a clean shot up the center ladder ramp initiates the multi-ball phase. During this frantic mode, the ultimate goal is to put out every single fire on the board, a feat that rewards a massive one-million-point bonus. To survive this chaos, players can exploit a helpful defensive feature: shooting the center horseshoe or the dead-end ramps temporarily raises a center post between the two flippers, offering a brief but vital shield against costly drains. Backed by Chris Granner’s urgent, brassy musical score, the Champagne Edition of Fire! remains a masterclass in late-80s mechanical theatricality.