Bing

Bing is one of the most mysterious entries in Bally's catalog: a 1938 electro-mechanical, celebrity-themed pinball machine (model number 301) whose very existence is not fully confirmed. Postings to the Usenet newsgroup rec.games.pinball in 2003 indicated that at least one example exists, though no photographs have surfaced to verify this.

Speculation among collectors holds that Bing was a one-of-a-kind machine made as a personal gift to singer Bing Crosby, with his likeness said to appear on the backglass — fitting with the "Celebrity" theme recorded for the game. If accurate, this would make it an extraordinarily rare, possibly unique, piece of pinball history rather than a machine that was ever placed into general production.

Because no confirmed photos or detailed records of Bing have surfaced, specific gameplay features, artwork, and designer credits remain unknown. Its story — equal parts legend and mystery — makes Bing one of the most intriguing subjects for pinball historians and Bally collectors to pursue.