Supercharger

The Supercharger, an electro-mechanical, Flipperless pinball machine from J.H. Keeney and Company Incorporated of Chicago, Illinois, is a somewhat enigmatic title in pinball history -- no manufacture date has been found on surviving examples, with the earliest known reference being a 1942 distributor ad for used games. This aircraft- and racing-themed game showcases gameplay features distinct from many of its contemporaries.

At its core, Supercharger offers 15 spring bumpers and 8 trap holes, creating a dynamic interplay between players and the machine. One of its most distinctive aspects is the ability to advance planes on the backglass to perform laps, awarding two Skill Points (replays) for each completed lap. The game also features a Trophy Cup hole that can award between four and twenty Skill Points, adjustable by the operator, and matching bottom-playfield numbers to a backglass selection can award additional games.

The Supercharger's design is notable for its aircraft theme and its integration of backglass light animation, with planes illuminating as gameplay progresses, plus a projector that displays replays onto the roof of the hangar on the backglass. A knock-off button lets the location clear all replays after paying a customer, and the operator instructions note that payouts by the location were possible even when the game was set to Novelty operation, where replays are not awarded -- an interesting glimpse into the era's coin-op business practices.