Barrels of Fun Pinball

Barrels of Fun Pinball is an American pinball manufacturer founded in 2021 by David Van Es and Brian Savage in Houston, Texas, marking the first company of its kind in that city. Launched amid a surge of renewed enthusiasm for pinball, Barrels of Fun gained recognition for its commitment to self-funding and local sourcing of parts, eschewing crowdfunding approaches that had proven risky for some other boutique pinball enterprises. The founders drew on extensive experience in entertainment and collectibles—Van Es as a former film editor and Savage as a Hasbro collectibles executive—to develop a business model that would allow them to rapidly design and release fully licensed, visually immersive machines. Their emphasis on creative, film-based themes and dual-screen display technology positioned Barrels of Fun as an innovative newcomer to a field long dominated by more established manufacturers.

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In late 2023, the company officially entered the market with its debut title, Jim Henson’s Labyrinth, based on the 1986 fantasy film starring David Bowie. Featuring integrated music and character animations licensed from The Jim Henson Company and Bowie’s estate, Labyrinth introduced a distinctive two-screen setup—one screen located on the backbox and another within the playfield—to present interactive digital animations that guide players through various game modes. Initial production plans called for a limited first run of 300 units, eventually increasing up to 1,100 machines in response to strong collector interest. As of 2025, Barrels of Fun Pinball remains active, shipping Labyrinth to customers and reportedly exploring additional licensed themes, underscoring its intent to establish a long-term foothold in the modern pinball landscape.