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Moon Shot

Manufacturer: Bally Manufacturing Corporation (1931-1983) [Trade Name: Bally]
Year: 1963
Date: February, 1963
Type: Electro-mechanical (EM)
Players: 1
Production: 1,250 units (confirmed)

About This Machine

The Moon Shot, designed by Ted Zale and manufactured by Bally in 1963, is a significant addition to the annals of pinball history. It marked Bally's return to flipper pinball production after several years spent making bingo machines, following the 1962 Eastland Bill that outlawed interstate transport of gambling devices. Its outer-space theme and striking art package reflect the era's fascination with rocketry and the space race.

Key features include two flippers, four pop bumpers, and two slingshots, which provide players with ample opportunities to score points. Notably, the machine boasts a unique 3-sided roll-under mechanism and four stand-up targets that reward skillful play. The backglass animation of a rocket soaring toward the moon is an iconic representation of the game's theme and adds to its nostalgic charm.

With 1,250 confirmed units produced, Moon Shot remains a relatively scarce piece of Bally history. Its design and art reflect the era's fascination with space exploration in the years leading up to the moon landings, and this classic EM game continues to captivate pinball enthusiasts with its retro charm and challenging gameplay.

Images (45)

Technical Details

Theme:
Outer Space
Model Number:
695
Notable Features:
Flippers (2), Pop bumpers (4), Slingshots (2), Standup targets (4), Rollunders (3), Rollover buttons (2). Backglass light animation (rocket flies to the moon). End-of-ball bonus scores 20 points or 200 when lit. Maximum displayed point score is 1,999 points. Sound: 1 bell, knocker

Credits

Designer:
Ted Zale