Long Beach

The Long Beach, manufactured by Genco Manufacturing Company in 1937, is an example of early electro-mechanical (EM) pinball design featuring a nautical, speedboat-racing theme. According to IPDB records, it was the first game to use an oversized backbox—considerably wider than the playfield cabinet—a notable design innovation for its time.

Gameplay on the Long Beach is characterized by its 10 spring bumpers, providing a challenging experience for players to navigate the ball through the playfield. A unique feature is the ability to advance a numbered bumper, which corresponds to a specific boat on the backglass animation. Hitting these bumpers advances the respective boat towards the finish line. Additionally, balls that pass through the top skill lane can randomly select a boat to be sent to the finish line, ending the game.

The Long Beach's design and art are notable for their era, with a reclined backbox and intricately detailed backglass animation depicting speedboats racing towards the finish line. The machine's nautical theme, complete with images of boats and waves, adds an immersive element to gameplay. While little is known about the designer, the Long Beach remains a fascinating piece of pinball history, offering a glimpse into the development of early electro-mechanical pinball machines.