Champ

The Champ, designed by Jim Patla with artwork by Christian Marche, was manufactured by Bally in February 1974, during the heyday of the electro-mechanical era. A four-player game with a confirmed production run of 4,070 units, it captures Bally's mid-70s momentum -- the company would go on to produce some of the most beloved and iconic pinball machines of all time.

Play-wise, the Champ is a pinball-themed romp with two flippers, two pop bumpers, and two mushroom bumpers that keep players on their toes. The addition of slingshots, standup targets, two messenger balls, a kick-out hole, and a spinning target adds to the machine's kinetic energy, and an end-of-ball bonus rewards careful play. The Champ allows a maximum displayed score of 199,990 points per player, while its three-chime unit provides a classic EM soundtrack.

The Champ's design and artwork are quintessential 1970s pinball, with Christian Marche's bold, stylized graphics celebrating the game of pinball itself. It remains a fine representative of Bally's EM output and a satisfying player's game from the era.