Name: RockMakers
Brand: Bally

About This Machine

RockMakers, designed by Ted Zale for Bally Manufacturing Corporation in 1968, is a distinctive electro-mechanical (EM) pinball machine known for its "zipper flipper" mechanism - the lower two of its three flippers were zipper flippers, letting players manipulate the ball with unusual precision.

The game's key attractions include its pop bumpers, mushroom bumpers, and slingshots, which combine for an engaging and challenging gameplay experience. What sets RockMakers apart is its innovative use of a mini-rollover button arc in the lower playfield, which spells out "R-O-C-K M-A-K-E-R-S." A ball with a perfect trajectory can score the entire arc, and each player has a "Rock-A-Rock" score reel on the backglass tracking how many times either word is completed - reaching a set threshold can award an extra ball or replay, at the operator's discretion.

RockMakers' fantasy-themed artwork was created by Jerry Kelley. With 2,420 confirmed units produced - including a distinct German export version - and backglasses made in both crystal glass and Plexiglas, RockMakers remains a sought-after piece for collectors of late-1960s Bally machines.

Images (52)

Technical Details

Theme:

Fantasy

Model Number:

821

Notable Features:

Flippers (3, lower 2 are zipper flippers), Pop bumpers (3), Mushroom bumpers (3), Slingshots (3), Upper right ball return lane, Right drop lane, right outlane ball return gate. An arc of mini-rollover buttons in lower playfield spells out R-O-C-K M-A-K-E-R-S. A ball having perfect trajectory can score the entire arc. Each player has a Rock-A-Rock score reel on the backglass to count the number of times either R-O-C-K or M-A-K-E-R-S is achieved. A Rock-A-Rock threshold can be set to award extra ball or replay (operator option). Maximum displayed point score is 9,999 points per player. Replay wheel maximum: 25

Documentation

Instruction Cards and Score Cards (English, bleached)

119 KB

Download

Instruction Cards and Score Cards (French, bleached)

85 KB

Download

Post Adjustment Chart and Operator Instructions

518 KB

Download

Schematic Diagram (English, continuous)

15 MB