Pinball Wizard (also known as Don't Let Your Balls Drop and Plinko Puzzle) is a recurring Survivor challenge. It debuted in Survivor: Nicaragua before reappearing in Millennials vs. Gen X and Survivor 46. It has also appeared internationally in Koh-Lanta: Fidji, Survivor South Africa: Philippines, Survivor Québec 1, and Survivor U.K. (2023).
Rules[]
The original version featured the castaways competing in tribes, sending up four members at a time. Two members would be responsible for rolling the ball up a ramp, while the other two members would be responsible for trying to catch it as it comes down the plinko board. If they fail to catch the ball, the other tribe scores a point. The first tribe to reach three points wins.
In the later version, castaways will have to roll a ball up a ramp and into a plinko board. While the ball is rolling down the plinko board, they must solve a puzzle, while keeping an eye on the ball. When the ball is close to the end of the plinko board, the castaways must grab the ball and roll it back up to the top. If a castaway misses catching the ball, they must wait for the ball to roll down to the end of a chute before they can roll the ball back up the ramp and return to solving their puzzle. The first castaway to complete the puzzle wins.
History[]
United States[]
The challenge debuted in Nicaragua as a Reward Challenge. The freshly swapped tribes were immediately put to the test, and both teams managed to tie it up 2-2 heading into the final round. Marty Piombo from the new La Flor tribe was unable to catch his ball, giving the third point and the win to the new Espada tribe.
The challenge's individual variant debuted in Millennials vs. Gen X as an Immunity Challenge. Instead of focusing on his puzzle, Adam Klein decided that it was more important to deprive Jay Starrett of immunity. With this logic, he employed the strategy of helping his ally Ken McNickle by informing him when his ball was close to falling off the board. This gave Ken the edge he needed to win the challenge.
The challenge reappeared thirteen seasons later in Survivor 46 as the Final Immunity Challenge, with the plinko board being upscaled significantly in this variant. Despite being plagued by game-long stress and severe sleep deprivation, Ben Katzman was ultimately the first one to solve the puzzle, winning his first immunity challenge and securing a spot at the Final Tribal Council.
The Survivor 46 variant was featured as an option against The Obstacle Course and Simmotion in the second fan poll for In the Hands of the Fans to determine which challenge would become the Final Immunity Challenge. The results are set to be revealed when the episode airs.
France[]
Quebec[]
The challenge debuted in Survivor Québec 1 as the final Redemption Island duel. The remaining members of Pag-Asa, who spectated the challenge from the sidelines, helped the duelists keep track of their balls. Ultimately, Nicolas Brunette won his fourth duel and returned to the main game, while Sylvain Béland and Sandrine Fortier were eliminated for good.
South Africa[]
The challenge was played for immunity at the final six of Philippines. Katinka Oosthuizen received a Challenge Advantage at the auction and was able to cut her time penalty in half. Ultimately, it was Werner Joubert who managed to solve his block puzzle first and win his second individual Immunity Challenge.
United Kingdom[]
Winners[]
| Episode | Challenge Type | Winner |
|---|---|---|
| Nicaragua "Turf Wars" |
Tribal Reward |         Espada |
| Millennials vs. Gen X "Slayed the Survivor Dragon" |
Individual Immunity |  Ken McNickle |
| Survivor 46 "Friends Going to War" |
Individual Immunity (Final Immunity) |
 Ben Katzman |
| Episode | Challenge Type | Winners |
|---|---|---|
| Fidji Episode 6 |
Individual Immunity |  Manu Delanghe |
| Episode | Challenge Type | Winners |
|---|---|---|
| Survivor Québec 1 Episodes 57-58 |
Duel |  Nicolas Brunette |
| Episode | Challenge Type | Winners |
|---|---|---|
| Philippines Episode 13 |
Individual Immunity |  Werner Joubert |
| Episode | Challenge Type | Winner | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Survivor U.K. (2023) Episode 15 |
Individual Immunity |  Christopher Haul |
|
Gallery[]
Trivia[]
- Every time that the challenge has been used as an individual challenge, a man won.
References[]