Marble Parade

The Marble Parade is a rare and enigmatic gem from the early days of electromechanical (EM) pinball, manufactured by California Games, Incorporated in 1936. This single-player pin game let players shoot up to 10 balls for a nickel, an unusually generous ratio for the era.

The gameplay features are what truly set the Marble Parade apart from other EM machines of its time. The machine boasts an impressive 32 trap holes, which were used to control the flow of balls and increase player interaction. Perhaps most intriguing is the ball advance unit in the upper playfield, activated when a ball lands in one of two "Parader" holes, adding an extra layer of strategy to gameplay.

The cabinet was advertised as black walnut, 48 inches long and 22 1/2 inches wide, with maple top rails, a maple cash-box door, birch legs, and chromium-plated exposed metal parts. Unfortunately, very little else is known about the design, art, or theme of the Marble Parade. Despite its obscurity, pinball enthusiasts will find its unique gameplay features and historical significance to be a fascinating addition to their collections.