Hang Glider

The Bally Hang Glider, designed by Jim Patla with artwork by Dick White, was released in December 1976 near the end of the electro-mechanical (EM) era, shortly before solid-state technology transformed the industry. A four-player game with a confirmed production run of 2,325 units, it showcases the craftsmanship that defined late EM pinball design. Its playfield layout is essentially the same as Bally's 1975 'Hi-Deal', except that five drop targets replace that game's five standup targets.

The machine boasts a rich array of features, including two flippers, three pop bumpers, two slingshots, ten mini-rollover buttons, five standup targets, a 5-bank of drop targets, a kick-out hole, and a spinning target. A distinctive design touch is that the drop targets reset only when the ball lands in the kick-out hole, adding an extra layer of strategy to gameplay. An end-of-ball bonus and a replay wheel maximum of 25 round out the rules, with sound provided by three chimes and a knocker.

The Hang Glider's theme captures the thrill of soaring through the skies, one of several 1970s games drawing on the decade's interest in adventure sports. Its place within Bally's extensive catalog and the closing years of the EM era makes it an attractive subject for pinball historians and enthusiasts.