Safari

The Safari pinball machine, designed by Don Hooker for Bally (model 868), is a hunting-themed electro-mechanical bingo machine showcasing the manufacturer's approach to bingo-style design.

One of the most notable features of Safari is its extensive use of trap holes - 20 in total - which adds a layer of strategy to the player's experience. The machine also boasts two rollover buttons, Mystic Lines, and Twin Numbers, all of which contribute to the game's complexity and replay value. As with other Bally bingo machines of the period, Safari could be customized with special features, such as rearranging colored sections on the backglass card via button presses at specific moments during gameplay.

The hunting safari theme fits the mold of Bally's exotic and adventurous bingo game motifs of the period. Unfortunately, due to limited research, the specific production year and Safari's exact place within Bally's bingo catalog remain unconfirmed. Nonetheless, its distinctive features make it an interesting find for collectors of vintage bingo-style pinball.