Split Second
About This Machine
Split Second, manufactured by Coincraft Corporation in August 1935, is an unusual electro-mechanical pinball machine with distinctive gameplay mechanics.
At its core, Split Second is a challenging game that requires precision timing and strategy to succeed. Players shoot white balls into play, while orange balls roll along an elevated track, or "habitrail," that cannot be accessed by the white balls. The objective is to time the shooting of white balls to hit one of three center kickers, which can then dislodge the orange balls from their track, sending them into scoring position. Ten balls are provided for 5 cents, and the machine features 10 captive balls, 8 trap holes, and a free play hole.
Unfortunately, little is known about the design, art, or theme behind Split Second. Its scarcity and unusual "habitrail" mechanism make it a fascinating case study for pinball historians seeking to understand the variety of gameplay ideas explored during this era.
Images (9)
Technical Details
- Notable Features:
- 10 balls for 5 cents. Captive balls (10), Trap holes (8), Kickers (3), Free play hole (1). The player shoots white balls into play. The game shoots orange balls into play in a large aerial habitrail not accessible to the white balls. The player times the shooting of the white balls in order to cause any of three center kickers to knock the orange balls off of the habitrail as they roll by.