Flying Aces

The Flying Aces, manufactured by Genco in July 1958, holds a special place in pinball history as the final game produced by that manufacturer before Genco exited the pinball business. As an electro-mechanical (EM) machine — solid-state electronics were still over a decade away — it showcases the intricate mechanical ingenuity of its era. With a focus on cards and gambling, specifically poker, Flying Aces offers an immersive experience that echoes the excitement of a high-stakes game.

Gameplay in Flying Aces is characterized by intricate mechanics and multiple objectives. At the start of each ball, ten rubber balls in the backbox are kicked into the air to resettle into a 20-hole pop-up array corresponding to an array of illuminated playing cards on the backglass; landing a "Four of a Kind" or "Royal Flush" at that moment scores points and triggers a reshuffle. Players can also complete the same sequences during regular play by rolling the ball through one of five lanes, each with four rollovers, to hit the correct "live" hole — up to ten sequences can be lit, unlocking pop bumpers, special outlanes, and the gobble hole for extra replays as more are completed.

The art and design of Flying Aces are equally captivating. The backglass features a striking array of 20 illuminating playing cards, and metal cigarette holders on the side rails add a period touch. Long unknown outside a small circle of collectors, the game only came to wider attention after examples surfaced in Australia in the mid-1990s, decades after Genco had stopped making pinball machines.