Top Pin
About This Machine
The Nuova Bell Games Top Pin from 1988 is a rare and intriguing addition to any serious pinball collection. Produced by the Bologna, Italy manufacturer in its final years of operation (1985-1988), it is notable as a solid-state conversion kit believed to have been built around a Bally cabinet with a new playfield and metal side panels, intended to resemble Williams' 1986 'PIN·BOT'.
Gameplay on Top Pin is characterized by a colorful playfield array of lights that tracks progress as targets are hit. The machine features two flippers, three pop bumpers, nine standup targets, and three kick-out holes. A five-target dropping bank lowers to reveal two of those kick-out holes, and an upper-level bagatelle mini-playfield adds an extra layer of challenge.
Beyond its technical specifications, little is documented about the game's specific theme or design inspirations, and its exact relationship to other Bally-based conversions is still debated among historians. This air of mystery adds to the allure of owning a Top Pin, inviting collectors to explore and uncover its secrets as one of the lesser-known late-1980s Italian pinball titles.
Images (9)
Technical Details
- Notable Features:
- Flippers (2), Pop bumpers (3), Standup targets (9), 5-target dropping bank (1), 3-bank drop targets (1), Kick-out holes (3). Colorful playfield array of lights track progress of hitting targets. A dropping bank of 5 standup targets lowers to reveal two kick-out holes. Upper level bagatelle mini-playfield.