Although I rarely log onto PinSide anymore, here is a small bit of additional information regarding Bigfoot (Bally, 1977) beyond what is presently recorded at the IPDB. This is just a simple summary of a much more, extensive detailed history.
The game project was initiated by Bally in 1975 as a means to use the last remaining potential of the EM era for profits. The signs of the electronic SS era was just around the corner and most engineers and management were already beginning to prepare, although electronics were not yet completely ready. The second backup prototype (which was incomplete) was dismantled in early 1978 after Bally made the decision to not go forward with the development of production. All backglasses (including the "final stack" extras which around ~15 were made) were created using plexiglass. The game backglass was never intended to be made of glass. There are NO versions using early crystal glass. The weight of the backglass alone using glass would easily have been over 35+ lbs, extremely fragile, and not easily moved or removed from the backbox channel without the assistance of more than two people. A little known fact is there is more than one backglass image for this game, as when the game was being prepared, backglasses were being rushed, and the final product was not ready for viewing. There are no indications that the primary prototype was retained after the final various worldwide trade shows in late 1977, but all remaining records have now been lost to time. This game remains truly "missing". Component AE design concepts and scaling including the thumper bumper and flipper parts were recycled into development of Atari's Hercules, however these parts still remained handmade until Hercules went into full production.
Bigfoot remains the heaviest "traditional" pinball machine ever created due to its oversized parts, 4 player, EM nature. Weight was estimated at roughly 500 lbs due to added reinforcement required to offset increases in vibration and structural integrity, parts, and components. This was yet another reason why the game was never made, and why Hercules became the birth child of this original idea.
There are plenty of other oddities and facts about this game that made it unique in pinball history, but someday I may document them for the database.
The Bigfoot backglass reproduction officially produced by PPS of the final prototype backglass (full size version) is an excellent match to the original plexiglass version as a proper scan was created and colors do match as I have compared both an original and repro side by side. Although expensive, they did a good job. Based on their quality efforts, I purchased a reproduction to add to my backglass repository.
Keep flipping.
- TBK
