modding the moment: an interview with robert campbell of hooked on pinball
In the world of pinball, the line between a great game and an unforgettable one is often drawn by the details. Lighting accents, sculpted figures, interactive elements—these are the touches that turn a factory playfield into something deeply personal. Few modders understand that better than Robert Campbell, the creative force behind Hooked on Pinball. Founded in 2010, Hooked on Pinball has become a familiar and respected name in the pinball modding community, known for creations that don’t just decorate a machine, but interact with it. We caught up with Robert to talk about how it all started, what keeps him inspired, and what makes a mod truly great.
From Personal Collection to Community Favorite
Hooked on Pinball began the same way many great modding stories do: with a collector who wanted just a little more out of his own machines. The early days were humble and hands-on. Robert started by designing custom ramp decals and speaker emblems, small enhancements that added personality without overwhelming the game’s original design. The response from fellow pinball fans was immediate and encouraging.
“Hooked on Pinball was born in 2010 out of a desire to customize my own personal collection of pinball machines. Having great success with those items, we branched out…”
Hooked's UFO Pop Bumper of high-polished metal brings turns the factory plastic into a realistic UFO
That branching out quickly led to more ambitious projects—interactive figures for Iron Man, light cycles for Tron, and eventually some of Hooked on Pinball’s most recognizable work: reactive lightning add-ons for AC/DC. These mods didn’t just sit on the playfield; they responded to gameplay, reinforcing the connection between player and machine.
What makes a mod a favorite?
With more than a decade of creativity behind him, choosing a single favorite product isn’t easy. Still, Robert has a clear favorite.
“Overall, my personal favorite mod is the AC/DC Lightining Bolts which hit all the important ‘great mod criteria’- they interact with the game directly, fill a void in the machine aesthetics where the manufacturer has not developed the playfield landscape to its best potential.”
For him, the satisfaction came from transforming something simple into something dynamic,
“Bringing that flat factory plastic to life was very rewarding. And seeing that design incorporated into the Virtual version of AC/DC pinball was very cool”
That attention to visual depth and interaction is what has earned Hooked on Pinball its loyal following. The goal isn’t to distract from the game, but to elevate it.
Robert's favorite mod, the ACDC Lightning Bolts
AC/DC Virtual pinball recreated a version of his Lightning Bolts. Photo Courtesy Blabermouth.Net
Robert's Houdini Torture Tank demonstrates the quality and thoughtfulness of his work
The Joy of Seeing Mods in the Wild
For Robert, the reward of modding isn’t measured in units sold—it’s measured in moments of surprise and pride.
“My greatest reward is to see others enjoying the customization of their prized pinball machine with our creations.”
Sometimes that joy comes unexpectedly, like spotting one of his mods during a random YouTube pinball video. But one moment stands above the rest.
“One of my proudest moments was when American Pinball added a driver code in Houdini to run our water tank mod.”
A Legacy of Thoughtful Customization and Family
Hooked on Pinball’s journey mirrors the evolution of pinball modding itself—from simple cosmetic upgrades to immersive, game-aware enhancements. Through it all, Robert Campbell has stayed focused on one core idea: respecting the machine while pushing its potential. Whether it’s lightning crackling across an AC/DC playfield or a sculpt that finally brings dimension to an overlooked area, Hooked on Pinball mods are created by someone who understands what players see, feel, and remember when they step up to the flippers. And for the pinball community, that passion makes all the difference.
Fans looking to bring Robert Campbell’s creative vision to their own games don’t have to look far. Hooked on Pinball products are available directly through the Mezel Mods shop, making it easy to add these thoughtfully designed, game-enhancing mods to your collection. Explore the full Hooked on Pinball shop at Mezel Mods and find the perfect upgrade for your game.
