[[quoteright:350:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/stellar-wars_5281.jpg]]
[[caption-width-right:350:[[Series/BattlestarGalactica1978 Cylons?]] [[BlatantLies What Cylons?]] ]]

->''"Wide-Body Galactic Action!"''
-->-- Advertising flyer

''Stellar Wars'' is a [[PhysicalPinballTable pinball game]] designed by Creator/SteveRitchie and illustrated by Constantino and Jeanine Mitchell. It was released by Creator/WilliamsElectronics in 1979, and is noted for being the first game Ritchie created for Williams.

Riding the popularity of [[Franchise/StarWars science-fiction]] [[Series/BattlestarGalactica1978 media]] in TheSeventies, ''Stellar Wars'' depicts a space battle between two sides over an unspecified planet. From the cockpit of your SpaceFighter, shoot the various targets and repel the invading fleet. Hit the center targets to increase the Eject Hole value for an Extra Ball, hit the right targets to raise the values of the Spinner and the Captive ball, then shoot the left targets and go after the bumpers. Nudge the table to roll over the WARS inlanes, then spell STELLAR WARS and watch the Battlescope explode in [[BeamSpam a frenzy of firepower.]]

Although ''Stellar Wars'' is not a particularly deep game, it's endearing for its reliance on technical skills -- players are rewarded for their patience and aim, making it a great game to practice basic pinball playing techniques. While it lacks the speed and flow that Creator/SteveRitchie's later games are renown for, it's still regarded as a solid title with smooth shooting action. The one thing that sinks this game are the visuals; shoddy artwork, amateurish design, and garish colors make it look like [[TheMockbuster a childish production]].

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!!The ''Stellar Wars'' pinball demonstrates the following tropes:

* CoolStarship
* EnergyWeapon[=/=]RayGun: Used by both sides.
* HeartbeatSoundtrack: An operator setting allows the game to play a throbbing "Sweep" sound that speeds up as the player advances towards spelling STELLAR WARS.
* ImpendingDoomPOV: The Battlescope crosshairs in the playfield flashes whenever the player scores a critical hit.
* OldSchoolDogfight[=/=]SpaceBattle: But of course!
* SpaceFighter
* SpaceIsAir
* SpellingBonus: Spelling 1-2-3-4, S-T-E-L-L-A-R, or W-A-R-S increases the bonus multiplier. Getting S-T-E-L-L-A-R-W-A-R-S awards a 50,000 point bonus and a flashing light show on the Battlescope.