Glossary of Pinball Terms - P

P

PCB

Abbreviation for the printed circuit board. Circuit boards are used in solid state machines. Most are located in the back box. Others circuit boards can be located under the playfield or in the main cabinet.

Plunger

Unlike its original meaning, this player controlled device kicks the ball from the ball lane into the game. The amount of force to pull the plunger is directly proportional to the force the ball receives. Some newer machines just feature buttons that automatically put the ball into play with a rather constant force applied. This was introduced either to reduce game costs or to allow for exotic devices like the gear shifter in The Getaway: High Speed II or the gun in Indiana Jones: The Pinball Adventure.

Popper

A device that launches the ball vertically, often to a raised playfield.