Orbit Games Debuts Whirl-O-Ball – A Modern Take on a Classic Skee Ball Variant

A new arcade manufacturer has entered the scene, and they’re doing it with flair. Orbit Games, which is operating under the same umbrella as American Pinball, has made their official debut at Pinball Expo 2025 with their very first product: Whirl-O-Ball. This modern alley bowler brings back the charm of a 1930s/40s classic, infusing it with digital enhancements, vibrant LED visuals, and new gameplay twists designed to drive repeat play in today’s arcade and bar entertainment environments.

Let’s take a look at what Orbit is offering with this fresh reimagining of a familiar format.

What Is Whirl-O-Ball?

Whirl-O-Ball is a modern skee-ball-style game (commonly known as ‘alley bowlers’) that trades the traditional circular ramp targets for a raised playfield where players roll their balls “over the hump” into numbered targets. Measuring 10.5 feet long and 4 feet wide, it uses wider-than-normal lanes and comes in a brightly colored cabinet that feels both retro and modern. The playfield accommodates up to six players per round, making it a great choice for competitive or casual group sessions.

Each round gives you nine balls, and the goal is to score as many points as possible by hitting one of seven target boxes—each with their own score values. Players can encounter score multipliers, bonus rounds, and mini-games that add new layers to the classic gameplay loop.

Designed for Arcades, Bars, and Breweries

While Whirl-O-Ball is fully FEC-compatible, Orbit Games is especially targeting the brewery and arcade bar crowd with this game. With its easy-to-understand rules, fast pace, and flashy visual design, it’s a perfect match for venues looking to encourage social play in compact, interactive formats.

Its 32” HD marquee screen displays scoring, animations, and dynamic lighting effects, while LED side lighting and beacon lights (two red, one blue) further boost its visual appeal on a busy game floor. Operators can even use sign toppers to promote the current game mode or specials.

New Modes and Mini-Games

Orbit is expanding what classic Skee Ball has to offer. Whirl-O-Ball comes with built-in mini-games that shake up the gameplay between rounds and offer bonus scoring opportunities. Here’s what’s included:

• Blue Light Chase: A dynamic mini-game where a blue light cycles across the target boxes in different patterns. Hitting it at the right time nets +50 bonus points.
• Bonus Round Mode: Clear all seven targets to unlock a bonus round with 9 additional balls and 100 extra points.
• High Score Run Modes: Choose a 3-minute or 5-minute mode that gives unlimited balls during the timer for maximum score-chasing.

Operators have the flexibility to toggle these modes on or off, as well as set the price per player, ball count, and scoring multipliers for replayability and customization.

The game’s technical details are as follows:

• Dimensions: 10.5 ft x 4 ft
• Weight: 575 lbs
• Retail Price: Orbit states it will be priced similarly to current skee-ball models, with an MSRP of $8999
• Max Players: 1–6 per round

We’ve got this listed on our website, where you can take a look and place a pre-order. The game will begin shipping Early 2026.

Other Orbit Games Goodies

Whirl-O-Ball isn’t the only thing Orbit has up its sleeve. The company is also taking over production of the Polycade platform and will debut a new Polycade Tower in the near future. On the pinball side, they’re developing Flippit, a digital pinball experience that aims to innovate the format with a new kind of gameplay, expected in early 2026.

And in a nostalgic twist, Orbit is working on games themed after the legendary Rock-afire Explosion animatronic band—not animatronics themselves, but actual games featuring the iconic characters. More on that will come in future announcements.

With Whirl-O-Ball, Orbit Games is aiming to combine classic gameplay with modern design and replay incentives. The game is set to launch in Fall 2025, with units shipping to arcades in 2026. From its bright, eye-catching cabinet to its score-chasing mini-games, it’s an excellent choice for arcades, barcades, and anywhere that thrives on fun, competitive energy.

Orbit Games may be the new kid on the block, but with titles like Whirl-O-Ball leading the charge, they’re already rolling in the right direction.

Thanks for reading! Whether you’re looking for this or another game, we’ve got you covered at PrimeTime Amusements. Give us a call at 1.800.550.0090 or email our sales staff for more information at [email protected].