Big Round Up

Big Round Up, produced by Shyvers Coin Automatic Machine Company of Seattle, Washington in January 1934, is part of the manufacturer's Spirit of America series and one of the earlier known mechanical pinball machines. As a pure mechanical (PM) machine, it predates the electric and electromechanical pinballs, as well as flippers, that would become standard in later years.

Gameplay on Big Round Up is straightforward: players launch a metal ball onto the playfield, where it interacts with fixed bumpers and obstacles under gravity alone, aiming for high scores. Its unique design features a relatively small playfield, characteristic of early mechanical machines, which required players to rely on physical skill in the launch rather than any active in-game controls. A possible picture of this game appears in the IPDB listing for Shyvers' 'Unknown' machine, after it was redesigned by the manufacturer to add a "Great Green Light" feature.

Little else is known about the design or theme of Big Round Up beyond its Spirit of America branding. Still, its rarity as a 1934 mechanical pinball machine makes it an interesting find for collectors and historians seeking to learn more about the game's early days.