Building Big Trouble in Little China — A Homebrew Adventure with Kyle Smet

What happens when a lifelong Big Trouble in Little China fan decides to bring one of the wildest ‘80s cult classics to life in pinball form? You get pure passion, creativity, and pinball magic.

Homebrew designer Kyle Smet sat down with Manu Smith to share how he transformed John Carpenter’s martial-arts-meets-mysticism masterpiece into a fully finished, fast-shooting, custom-coded machine.

“I drew the layout on a cocktail napkin the day after I got home from TPF,” Kyle laughs. “I just knew I had to build it.”

From Horror to Heroics

After debuting his Friday the 13th homebrew to rave reviews at Texas Pinball Festival, Kyle set his sights on something bigger and weirder. He wanted humor, kung fu, monsters, and magic — and found it all in Big Trouble in Little China.

“I thought, what ‘80s franchise has action, comedy, and chaos? Big Trouble checked every box,” Kyle says.

A Homebrew Dream Team

Kyle pulled together a powerhouse crew — Scott Danesi on music, Bryan Allen on art, and Randy Martinez (of Star Wars fame) on illustration. Even James Pax, who played Lightning in the movie, recorded custom callouts. And yes — John Carpenter himself signed the cabinet.

His secret? “I just asked,” Kyle says. “Fifty percent of success is showing up.”

A Kinetic Masterpiece

Built on the FAST system and coded in Mission Pinball Framework, the game’s modes dive deep into the film’s chaos: “Underwater Elevator,” “Brothel Rescue,” and “Darkest Magic Multiball.” Miss a key shot and Lo Pan might just flip your controls.

Kyle’s favorite shot? The horseshoe loop through the skull — a fast, satisfying flow that captures the thrill of discovering something new in your own design.

This project isn’t just about a new cool pinball machine — it’s about creativity, community, and the DIY heart that keeps pinball evolving. Whether you’re a fan of Big Trouble, a homebrew builder, or just love seeing passion turned into art, this interview is for you.

🎥 Watch the full interview with Kyle Smet and Manu to see Big Trouble in Little China in action, hear the custom soundtrack, and get inspired to start your own build.

“You’re not going to start perfect,” Kyle says. “You just have to fail forward. That’s how you build something great.”

Want to build your own game? Check out this blog post for more info on how and where to get started: https://www.marcospecialties.com/pinball-parts-blog/homebrew-loot-crates