Episode 331 - 1971 Bally Hole In One

Hole in One - as far as anyone has found - is only a backglass. It depicts a 6 card bingo with a few intriguing mysteries:

1) There is a golfer rating - good, excellent or superior. What is this for?

2) The replay register is masked off and only a single digit is shown. Why?

3) What happened to the rest of the game? How many were made?

4) Did this ever make it into limited production?

Backglass:

http://bingo.cdyn.com/machines/bally/hole_in_one/resources/bg-hole_in_one-1.png

Read more at http://foramusementonly.libsyn.com/#FQDPWDhjaMixP0vA.99

Episode 332 - 1973 Bally Hawaii

Hawaii is the follow-on to Double-Up. It contains all of the features of Double-Up, including the player controlled doubling of any one section, but brings back Stop and Shop, allowing the player to pay additional money for a chance to increase both their odds and features.

This is different from previous titles with Stop and Shop, like Cypress Gardens, in that those titles would only allow you to play for a chance at increasing odds.

Backglass:

http://bingo.cdyn.com/machines/bally/hawaii/resources/bg-hawaii-1.jpg

Cabinet:

http://bingo.cdyn.com/machines/bally/hawaii/resources/cab-hawaii-1.jpg

Playfield:

http://bingo.cdyn.com/machines/bally/hawaii/resources/pf-hawaii-1.jpg

Read more at http://foramusementonly.libsyn.com/#wYvk53oxeKAJd3qz.99

Episode 333 - 1974 Bally Wall Street

Wall Street is the next in the series of six card bingo revivals that Bally produced in the 70s. Super Lines, Corners scoring, and each card has a chance at lighting the center number as a spotted number! On top of this, the Double or Nothing feature returns. A chance at 600 replays is hard to pass up.

Great game, great features, great cabinet art.

Backglass:

http://bingo.cdyn.com/machines/bally/wall_street/resources/bg-wall_street-1.jpg

Cabinet:

http://bingo.cdyn.com/machines/bally/wall_street/resources/cab-wall_street-1.jpg

Playfield:

http://bingo.cdyn.com/machines/bally/wall_street/resources/pf-wall_street-1.jpg

Read more at http://foramusementonly.libsyn.com/#wYvk53oxeKAJd3qz.99

Episode 334 - 1974 Bally Blue Chip

Blue Chip is another great six card bingo - 25 holes, super lines, corners scoring and Double or Nothing - along with the potential to light a center spotted number with additional coins.

The player can actually move the center spotted number between cards, which gives great control and the ability to turn a losing card into a winner!

Backglass:

http://bingo.cdyn.com/machines/bally/blue_chip/resources/bg-blue_chip-1.jpg

Cabinet:

http://bingo.cdyn.com/machines/bally/blue_chip/resources/cab-blue_chip-1.jpg

Playfield:

http://bingo.cdyn.com/machines/bally/blue_chip/resources/pf-blue_chip-1.jpg

Read more at http://foramusementonly.libsyn.com/#FfhFOTghAH7iyRJv.99

Episode 335 - Interview with Jeffrey Lawton and Robert Medl 1-29-16

Jeffrey and Robert rejoin the show to talk about various bingos, issues with Bally's design as engineering changed the design of various units, unique or unusual features that were only used once or twice, United games, and the fun method used for us to play the games at Robert and Jeffrey's homes.

I had a great time visiting Robert and Jeffrey - can't wait to talk about the games I got to try on the trip!

Some of the photos from Robert's collection and a great photo of myself, Jeffrey and Robert:

https://goo.gl/photos/6F4Lfho9kFv4X9u57

Read more at http://foramusementonly.libsyn.com/#FfhFOTghAH7iyRJv.99

Episode 336 - 1974 Bally Bali

Bali is a three card bingo pinball with a few interesting features:

1) 7 coin max - the game gives you all you can get with 7 coins

2) First three coins light the three cards

3) Second three coins will light "Super Score" - doubling 4-in-line and 5-in-line wins on all three cards

4) Last coin will give you a guaranteed extra ball.

Backglass (modified):

http://bingo.cdyn.com/machines/bally/bali/resources/bg-bali-1.jpg

Cabinet:

http://bingo.cdyn.com/machines/bally/bali/resources/cab-bali-1.jpg

Playfield:

http://bingo.cdyn.com/machines/bally/bali/resources/pf-bali-1.jpg

Read more at http://foramusementonly.libsyn.com/#gTmZe4D4C36A1ptO.99

Episode 337 - 1976 Bally Bonanza

Bonanza is the last of the Magic Squares games. Aside from the standard corner mounted squares, there is also a center Magic Line, allowing for some great action - necessary as there are four different colors on the bingo card, corresponding to four true independently moving odds sections.

This game has no extra balls, but has an extended time tree to after 5th, corners scoring for 100 and 200 (at random), and a huge redesign of many of the units inside the head.

This game would be interesting to work on - many units are actually simplified.

A bell will sound as you earn features or odds jumps!

Backglass:

http://bingo.cdyn.com/machines/bally/bonanza/resources/bg-bonanza-1.jpg

Cabinet:

http://bingo.cdyn.com/machines/bally/bonanza/resources/cab-bonanza-2.jpg

Playfield:

http://bingo.cdyn.com/machines/bally/bonanza/resources/pf-bonanza-1.jpg

Internals:

http://bingo.cdyn.com/machines/bally/bonanza/resources/int-bonanza-1.jpg

Read more at http://foramusementonly.libsyn.com/#gTmZe4D4C36A1ptO.99

Episode 338 - 1976 Bally Miss America Supreme

The third Miss America game from Bally - typified by two bingo cards side-by-side with the ability to move numbers on each row left and right one position.

Miss America Supreme adds 'Star numbers' which can be used to earn 5 in a row green odds, or start a red letter game!

Corners score red 5 in a line, extra balls, and alternating rollovers return from Miss America '75.

Backglass:

http://bingo.cdyn.com/machines/bally/miss_america_supreme/resources/bg-miss_america_supreme-1.jpg

Cabinet:

http://bingo.cdyn.com/machines/bally/miss_america_supreme/resources/cab-miss_america_supreme-1.jpg

Playfield:

http://bingo.cdyn.com/machines/bally/miss_america_supreme/resources/pf-miss_america_supreme-1.jpg

Read more at http://foramusementonly.libsyn.com/#Z7gxiKGEve90qyQt.99

Whew! All the Bally and United bingos are now in the Pinside Game Archive. You may have noticed the growing list of games linked at the top of this topic.

This allows folks to search on a particular game or to search for a machine in the archive and find any mention of a particular game.

Pretty handy and allows for much more discussion on the bingos, more easily!

Big thanks to Robin for allowing this info in the archive.

Apologies to those that downloaded last night's show. I'm using a new computer that will only record in mono.

To export I have to copy/paste into a stereo track then mix and export to mp3. My mixing is automated, so the last time I listen to it before putting it up for download it is in mono.

I will rerecord and put up shortly. Sorry again!

High Flyer is a cool game, didn't mean to make it unlistenable!

Rerecorded audio - uploading momentarily.

Episode 339 - 1977 Bally High Flyer

High Flyer is another great six card bingo. This machine has an eight coin max. Your first six coins light the bingo cards, and coins 7 and 8 light the red diagonals (diagonal connections between odd diagonals) on each card.

There are rollovers to light super lines and corners for each card, and the Double or Nothing feature returns!

Backglass:

http://bingo.cdyn.com/machines/bally/high_flyer/resources/bg-high_flyer-1.jpg

Cabinet:

http://ipdb.org/showpic.pl?id=3145&picno=42208

Playfield:

http://bingo.cdyn.com/machines/bally/high_flyer/resources/pf-high_flyer-1.jpg

Read more at http://foramusementonly.libsyn.com/#5tyb2YHGFfWk5SIr.99

Episode 340 - 1977 Bally Miss America Deluxe

Miss America Deluxe is the last of the Miss America games made by Bally.

It contains all the features (extra card, magic lines that move each row of numbers one position left and right, the red letter game, corners scoring on the main card, all 4 star zones score your green 5 in a line odds, and roll overs to extend your time for the moving numbers feature) of Miss America Supreme from the year before.

This game adds the 'red diagonals' feature from High Flyer! In this case, they call them 'Striped Diagonals'. This allows you to win on the odd diagonals, but only on the extra card.

Backglass:

http://bingo.cdyn.com/machines/bally/miss_america_deluxe/resources/bg-miss_america_deluxe-1.jpg

Cabinet:

http://bingo.cdyn.com/machines/bally/miss_america_deluxe/resources/cab-miss_america_deluxe-1.jpg

Playfield:

http://bingo.cdyn.com/machines/bally/miss_america_deluxe/resources/pf-miss_america_deluxe-1.jpg

Read more at http://foramusementonly.libsyn.com/#5tyb2YHGFfWk5SIr.99

OK, that one had some issues, too (booo!!!!) - I've rerecorded and replaced the previous file. This one wasn't as bad as High Flyer, but it had an issue. Ah, well. Going back through some others that I've pre-recorded. We'll see what happens, but hopefully we won't have issues moving forward. Lesson learned. Have to listen multiple times before I call it good.

Episode 341 - Nantucket Nickel - The Miriam Cobblebottom Interview

ROMANCE!

Another holiday visit from Fake Nick Baldridge, this time with a very special guest. Miriam Cobblebottom, widow of the Nantucket Nickel company figurehead, Eustacious Cobblebottom, provides some revelatory insight into the little-known pingame manufacturer’s company history.

Thanks, FNB!

Read more at http://foramusementonly.libsyn.com/#EQxJ6He5SCbMs34l.99

Episode 342 - 1978 Bally Galaxy

Galaxy is a one-off bingo with a 24 hole playfield.

You cannot bring the ball back to a ball return on this game. You can actually return one half of the numbers to shoot again. You can also move two columns at a time up or down one position (on this 6x4 card).

This game does not have the spotted numbers features from Miss Universe (another interesting experiment), but it does have extra balls.

Galaxy looks like it was completely engineered to make you lose a ton of money, quickly.

Backglass:

http://bingo.cdyn.com/machines/bally/galaxy/resources/bg-galaxy-1.jpg

Cabinet:

http://bingo.cdyn.com/machines/bally/galaxy/resources/cab-galaxy-1.jpg

Playfield:

http://bingo.cdyn.com/machines/bally/galaxy/resources/pf-galaxy-1.jpg

Read more at http://foramusementonly.libsyn.com/#0GTsyMCWKDVQb4k6.99

Finally hit the corners on my Gay Time during my lunch session today. Approx $2 into the game in nickels, when I cashed out, 300 replays left on the meter or $15

IMG_20160216_124524_(resized).jpg

Episode 343 - 1979 Bally Tahiti

Tahiti is a love/hate game - the last of the 20 hole machines that Bally produced, Tahiti brings back the ball return feature from Galaxy. Instead of returning half of the card, it will return only the balls in either section B or C.

The Mystic Lines return, but this time, can be awarded in any order. You can earn only C or B and so on.

The red letter game does not return, nor do extra balls.

Bally also reduced the amount of replays earned for all four numbers in the star zones to 100.

Backglass:

http://bingo.cdyn.com/machines/bally/tahiti/resources/bg-tahiti-1.jpg

Cabinet:

http://bingo.cdyn.com/machines/bally/tahiti/resources/cab-tahiti-1.jpg

Playfield:

http://bingo.cdyn.com/machines/bally/tahiti/resources/pf-tahiti-1.jpg

Read more at http://foramusementonly.libsyn.com/#6Oh7TbVaDge4dHqS.99

Yeah, I think I like Galaxy's art, despite being rather spare. The dots hit in just the right spots.

The only other space themed (that I know of) is Miss Universe, but it's only kinda sorta.

Hitting corners did feel good, but cashing out ahead? Felt better.

Episode 345 - 1980 Bally Continental

Continental is the very last Bally bingo pinball produced. In 1980, a Belgian firm ordered the entire run be shipped overseas. This firm ended up using the designs and creating their own line of bingos - which have been produced up to this day (over several company name changes)!

Note that at least some of these games were put out on location in the US - interesting!

Continental is a six card bingo - in fact, it's a feature-for-feature remake of 1978's Dixieland. The only difference is the solid state boardset that drives all of the computation.

Backglass:

http://bingo.cdyn.com/machines/bally/continental/resources/bg-continental-1.jpg

Cabinet:

http://bingo.cdyn.com/machines/bally/continental/resources/cab-continental-1.jpg

Playfield:

http://bingo.cdyn.com/machines/bally/continental/resources/pf-continental-1.jpg

Read more at http://foramusementonly.libsyn.com/#RZa6fJYCjyaGuwub.99

Episode 346 - My EM Happenings for 2-17-16 pt. 1

I spent a few days in Ohio recently, and wanted to discuss some of the games I played and various features that I was either incorrect about in my speculation, or thought would bear in-person impressions.

Had a blast losing on all these bingos!

Read more at http://foramusementonly.libsyn.com/#vsw0pvsjVOIkYOui.99

Episode 347 - My EM Happenings for 2-17-16 pt. 2

Continuing last night's episode, some interesting tidbits learned while in Ohio, some games I've been working on recently, and various other things going on in my world.

Follow along on the Turf King fix-up: https://pinside.com/pinball/forum/topic/1950-bally-turf-king-one-ball-horse-race-game

Vote to add bingos as a separate topic of discussion on the Pinside forum:

https://pinside.com/pinball/forum/topic/do-we-need-a-sub-forum-for-bingo-machines-poll

Read more at http://foramusementonly.libsyn.com/#vsw0pvsjVOIkYOui.99

Episode 348 - 1962 Gottlieb Tropic Isle and 1963 Bally Moon Shot

In 1963, Bally was hunting around for a replacement for their bingo business in the U.S.

Things were looking rather bleak, until they hired Ted Zale, the designer that would add multiball, chicane lanes, etc. to later games.

For his first effort, Moon Shot, he made a 100% carbon copy of Gottlieb's Tropic Isle from the year before.

I've had the pleasure of playing Tropic Isle, but I've never seen a Moon Shot.

Tropic Isle has two sets of two pop bumpers, and an A-B-C-D sequence to make a monkey climb a tree on the backglass. Once you get three monkeys up the tree (this is a carryover feature), the game will award specials! You can also light special by completing 1-5 at the top rollovers.

Moon Shot is very much the same with a space theme.

Tropic Isle:

http://ipdb.org/machine.cgi?id=2661

Moon Shot:

http://ipdb.org/machine.cgi?id=1627

Read more at http://foramusementonly.libsyn.com/#6pDFRiPtWv8lGy7s.99

Episode 349 - 1969 Chicago Coin Moon Shot

Moon Shot is a neat game with a unique set of ball return gates (shaped like metal flipper bats) on the left and right outlanes.

The layout looks like a skilled player can really rack up points easily by running up the rocket values to 500 points and collecting.

Extra balls, two separate bonus steppers and cool Christian Marche artwork complete the package.

http://ipdb.org/machine.cgi?id=1628

Read more at http://foramusementonly.libsyn.com/#iyrwblolkiyaSAVw.99

Thanks Ryan! I'll still be doing crazy stuff (more to be announced at 365), just slightly different crazy.

Episode 351 - The Auto-Mission Coin Divider

A unique mechanism in later Bally bingos, the auto-mission coin divider allowed operators to automatically set aside a portion of the game earnings in a special cashbox for the bar owner.

Read more at http://foramusementonly.libsyn.com/#WvwV12vHyF0tus3e.99

Episode 352 - Hard Tilt vs. Soft Tilt

Bally bingos made after 1960 had multiple tilt states - a 'hard' state, from which the game could not be revived without additional money or credits, and a 'soft' state or 'sleeping' state that would allow the player to revive the game by pressing the 'R' button, or playing for extra balls.

Read more at http://foramusementonly.libsyn.com/#VBeD61XZikmLdyMU.99

Oooh, I'm in the new podcast section!

Episode 353 - 1960 Williams Nags

Nags is a unique game from Williams with two interesting features -

It is one of a small handful of horse racing themed games that Williams made with a horse racing unit with six horses that can move independently along a track, until one finishes.

This game is also the only game from the 'big three' manufacturers that had a rotating platter of six pop bumpers. Each bumper hit would advance one horse toward the prize.

25 cents on 'Stinky' for me!

http://ipdb.org/machine.cgi?id=1654

Read more at http://foramusementonly.libsyn.com/#IF4WPBkUmx8wUhRM.99

Episode 354 - Mystery Troubleshooting

My 1947 Mystery started blowing fuses - it was time to pull it out from the wall and troubleshoot. Here's the story of how I corrected the issues and what went wrong.

Read more at http://foramusementonly.libsyn.com/#IF4WPBkUmx8wUhRM.99

Episode 355 - Email Interview with Chris Dade 2-28-16

My interviewee tonight is Chris Dade, a man who has done quite a bit for the bingo hobby!

He has scanned, touched up, and reproduced many of the Bally bingo backglasses, as well as several of the bingo playfields.

He also started the Bally Bingos in Britain forums, located at http://ballybingo.fff.yuku.com/ - this is an excellent resource, with many clever people providing help and information. It also gives a neat window into the UK bingo scene for us folks in the US!

Take a moment and look over Chris' collection at http://www.ballybingo.co.uk/index1.html - click 'My Machines' to see his beauties.

He also has some great stories and other information on his website. He notes that whereas in the US, 20 replays would be a dollar, to earn a pound, you needed 80 replays! That's quite a jump!

Thank you to Chris for his patience and time answering my questions.

Read more at http://foramusementonly.libsyn.com/#qFzr7KfPgHcX9ZMP.99

Episode 356 - 1975 Gottlieb Spirit of '76

Spirit of '76 came in three flavors:

The four player was Spirit of '76.

The two player version was Pioneer

and the add-a-ball version was New York.

Spirit of '76 is all about increasing your bonus, but the player can double the bonus on each ball, earn extra balls or replays by completing the A-E sequence, hitting all 8 drop targets and landing in the kickout hole.

Fun game!

http://ipdb.org/machine.cgi?id=2293

Chicago Coin Rapid Transit Restoration:

https://pinside.com/pinball/forum/topic/1935-chicago-coin-rapid-transit-early-ramp-game

Ryan Claytor's Latest Pinball Artwork:

Pinball at the Zoo:

http://www.elephanteater.com/11721/2016-pinball-at-the-zoo-poster-and-t-shirt

Stern pinball shirt:

http://costore.com/sternpinball/productenlarged.asp?ProductId=5516824

Read more at http://foramusementonly.libsyn.com/#pMpgUdcrQmHAJXzW.99

Episode 357 - 1976 Bally Freedom

Freedom is a fun game from the bicentennial. Bally's take has some more interesting artwork and a fun ruleset.

This was one of the changeover games that was made in both EM and solid state versions.

The early production had 1776 and 1976 on the backglass, but operators asked that this be removed as it would make the machine 'dated'. Kind of funny for a game themed on the bicentennial.

http://ipdb.org/machine.cgi?id=952

Read more at http://foramusementonly.libsyn.com/#30ic2W1zfKpkRcLe.99

Episode 358 - 1973 Sega Galaxy

Galaxy and other Sega games used several interesting mechanisms:

Slings that work via pressure from the ball hitting a large piece of plastic instead of ganged switches, and pop bumpers that are a single piece of plastic rather than using a rod and ring assembly. On top of that, Galaxy has an under-playfield magnet that will move the ball from left to right, similar to the Mist ball on Bram Stoker's Dracula.

Neat stuff!

http://ipdb.org/machine.cgi?id=979

Gameplay video:

Read more at http://foramusementonly.libsyn.com/#30ic2W1zfKpkRcLe.99

Episode 359 - 1956 Gottlieb Derby Day

Derby Day is a neat take on a flipper game with a horse race theme. The upper playfield contains a single gobble hole and four passive bumpers that can advance one of four horses, whose position is displayed via inserts in the center of the playfield. The bottom portion contains a single pop bumper, which can pop the ball back up to the flippers (in the center portion).

You main goal is to advance all four horses to the Win position, then roll over the center button to earn a replay. You can earn many multiple replays by lining up your horses in Show, Place or Win, then shooting into the gobble hole.

http://ipdb.org/machine.cgi?id=664

Read more at http://foramusementonly.libsyn.com/#SUl5hQywpu22YTKR.99

Episode 360 - The Turret Shooter

Gottlieb invented a new mechanism for launching balls in 1950 - the turret shooter. This launcher allowed designers more space on the playfield to add targets, and gave players the ability to choose their entry angle onto the playfield.

A pretty nifty idea that was used by other manufacturers over the years.

Read more at http://foramusementonly.libsyn.com/#Hg978g287SJ2HeYK.99

Thanks Ryan - your post pointed out that I also typoed masterful. Geez. Amateur hour.

We're getting close to 365 - is everyone getting excited? I am!

Episode 362 - 1977 Williams Liberty Bell

I missed one machine from the bicentennial - Liberty Bell is almost a carbon copy of Williams' own Grand Prix.

Earning a special requires advancing the starts four times, then dropping all four drop targets. Tough!

The spinners have rockets screened on them, to represent "the rockets' red glare".

Gameplay Video:

http://ipdb.org/machine.cgi?id=1436

Read more at http://foramusementonly.libsyn.com/#X311ST2KYBpOSrQW.99

Episode 363 - 1940 Bally Duet

Duet is a very beautiful and interesting machine. There are three ways to win, and the player must select before playing, or put in another nickel to load the full ruleset of the game.

Completing the sequence of 1-10 will award 20 replays, with the possibility of earning a 'reserve' set of replays - up to 200!

http://ipdb.org/showpic.pl?id=3065&picno=64416&zoom=1

Read more at http://foramusementonly.libsyn.com/#oCZS7LRaZFODetZq.99

Two more days till 365. Can't wait to talk more about what I've been working on. Hope others feel the same.

Episode 364 - 1961 Chicago Coin Pro Basketball

Pro Basketball is a cool mannikin arcade game.

The basic premise is that it is a one-on-one basketball shootout - you play as the offense, and the defense will automatically move left and right, raising and lowering their arms.

You have to watch the score board in the back to determine when you should shoot for maximum effectiveness.

Gameplay video:

Read more at http://foramusementonly.libsyn.com/#J6jlvlcokbhHxPlT.99

Episode 365 - Bingo Emulation

365_(resized).jpg

365 Episodes!

Happy Birthday For Amusement Only! In this episode, I discuss how to try bingo pinball on your own computer.

A big thank you to my wife for illustrating the Episode 365 artwork!

A fellow named Joop in the Netherlands has been developing bingo emulators, and releasing on the web for Windows and Mac OS X. His simulations are fantastic! Go check them out and try them for yourself. If you have any questions about how to play, feel free to ask me at [email protected] and I'll be happy to explain.

Download here: http://www.bingo.joopriem.nl/

A person on the Bally Bingos in Britain forums has been using Joop's emulator and putting it into a physical cabinet - pretty cool!

http://ballybingo.fff.yuku.com/topic/531/Bingo-simulation-programs-for-Windows-and-Mac#.Vtoq0FMrKYW

Lastly, I've been working on a bingo emulator, fully programmed to change between Bally bingos. I will be using a lower cabinet from a real bingo. This will include the lifter hardware, shutter hardware, trough, tilt, etc. I will use an empty backbox, fit an LCD monitor in the back, and use a computer to both drive and keep track of the game state, and drive the monitor. Playfields will be swappable to allow for multiple games with different playfield features! The vast majority of the games will be playable with any 25 hole playfield.

I will eventually release the code for the world to critique, but keep in mind that I am not a skilled programmer (in my own mind, at least). I am using the P-ROC framework due to familiarity with the Python programming language, and the ability of the P-ROC hardware to drive high power motors such as the ball lifter.

I'm very excited about the potential for this system, and am looking forward to all the learning I have ahead of me, understanding the reflex and mixer documentation for each game! I've started with Night Club, but then dropped back to Coney Island as it is much simpler and has no backglass animation.

Read more at http://foramusementonly.libsyn.com/#MT143TxV3EgUiOe4.99

Alllllmost. Ha-ha, yeah, now's fine.