Big Show

Big Show, manufactured by Bally in January 1974, is a two-player electro-mechanical pinball machine with a cheerful circus and carnival theme. Designed by Jim Patla with artwork by Dick White, it is the two-player companion to Bally's 4-player 'Circus' from 1973, and a confirmed 1,000 units were produced.

Gameplay-wise, Big Show features two flippers, a pop bumper, two passive bumpers, and two slingshots, augmented by six rollover buttons and four standup targets that add a layer of strategy to the play. The machine rewards skillful play with an end-of-ball bonus, doubled on the third and fifth balls, and its replay wheel maxes out at 25 credits. Three chimes provide the classic EM soundtrack.

With its playful carnival artwork and solid mid-1970s Bally feature set, Big Show offers enthusiasts an appealing snapshot of the electro-mechanical era in its mature years, shortly before the industry's move to solid-state electronics later in the decade.