Rose Bowl

The Rose Bowl, manufactured by Chicago Coin Machine Manufacturing Company in 1937, is a rare and significant example of early electro-mechanical (EM) pinball design. As a flipperless novelty machine with a football theme, it reflects the sports-themed games popular during this period. Only 580 units are confirmed to have been produced, making it a scarce find today. Notably, the backglass does not carry the game's name but does display the word "Champions."

Key gameplay features include 5 balls for play at a cost of just 5 cents, allowing players to enjoy extended gaming sessions within their budget. The inclusion of 14 spring bumpers added an element of challenge and variety to gameplay, requiring precise timing and skill from players. This design choice highlights the experimentation with novel mechanisms that defined pinball development in the 1930s.

The Rose Bowl's aesthetic is characterized by its simple yet evocative artwork, likely crafted in-house by Chicago Coin's designers. The football theme is evident in the machine's color scheme and graphics, which evoke the spirit of American sports culture during the 1930s. With no designer credited in available records, the Rose Bowl remains a somewhat enigmatic but historically interesting piece from pinball's flipperless era.