New Century

The New Century pinball machine, produced by Genco Manufacturing Company in March 1933, holds a place in the early history of pinball. As a Pure Mechanical machine from Genco's formative years (the company would go on to manufacture through 1958), it showcases the game's evolution during this early period, when manufacturers were still experimenting with format and pricing.

The gameplay on New Century is pure mechanical, with no electronic components. Players fed in 5 cents to receive ten balls. The playfield features color art, with the name "New Century" displayed in the lower playfield rather than on the cabinet -- notably, there is no diamond-shaped insert on either cabinet side, a detail that distinguishes it from many contemporaries. The game was also exhibited as "20th Century" at the 1933 Chicago show, and was available as a counter game with an optional stand.

Genco later released a refined version, New Century Special, which moved the game name to the lower apron instead of the playfield. While specific theme or artwork details for New Century are limited, its early manufacture date and connection to its successor model make it an interesting piece for collectors and historians of mechanical pinball.