Wonder Wizard™ Demolition Derby
About This Machine
The Wonder Wizard Demolition Derby is a fascinating home pinball machine from Sentinel Inc., built as a Non-Commercial (Home Model) solid-state electronic (SS) game with a demolition derby theme. It shares its playfield layout with several other Sentinel Inc. titles -- the Wonder Wizard CB Charlie, Flying Aces, and the 1977 Star Explorer -- differing mainly in artwork, though it uses the same exterior cabinet. Its exact release year is not documented, but its shared layout with the 1977 Star Explorer suggests a similar era of production.
Gameplay uses 3 balls per play with a single steel ball and no adjustment for 5-ball play. Its interconnected flipper mechanism, powered by a single solenoid, means pressing either flipper button operates both flippers simultaneously -- a cost-saving, if less flexible, design. Other distinctive features include four pop bumpers built from what appear to be 1970s Bally-style bodies (with an added "100" sticker, one solenoid shared per two bumpers), and two slingshots that use metal springs rather than traditional rubber as electrical contacts.
The machine's construction reflects a budget-conscious, low-maintenance approach: pop bumpers, slingshots, and rollovers are "switchless," relying on the ball's conductive properties to complete contacts, and the non-adjustable tilt mechanism is a small metal bell on a ball-and-chain rather than a conventional tilt bob. One quirky detail is a 1000-point rebound switch in the lower right playfield, marked with a triangular yellow plastic label reading "SMACK 100" -- which incorrectly implies it's worth only 100 points.
Images (29)
Technical Details
- Theme:
- Sports - Demolition Derby
- Model Number:
- PH7730WA02
- Notable Features:
- 3 balls per play. Flippers (2), Pop bumpers (4), Slingshots (2), Kick-out hole (1). Plexiglas playfield cover. Pressing either flipper button operates both flippers simultaneously. Uses 1 steel ball. No adjustment for 5-ball play. Tilt penalty: ball in play. Games measures 45 inches long by 22 inches wide. The adjustable legs are 34 inches long. Pop bumper bodies appear to be 70s Bally units with a "100" sticker added, using one solenoid per two bumpers. Pop bumpers, slingshots and rollovers are "switchless," using the conductive properties of the ball to connect two electrical contacts. While a slight bit clunky for response, this made for a very low maintenance machine. Slingshot " rubbers " are actually metal springs, which act as contacts. Flippers are interconnected (non-independent), and powered by the same solenoid. Flippers also appear 3" long, but their fulcrum point is further inward than typical, making their action similar to a 2" flipper. Factory angle of flippers was very shallow, making their action awkward. Nonadjustable tilt mechanism is a small metal bell on a ball-strand chain, suspended within a metal loop, similar in function to, but generally higher in sensitivity than a tilt-bob. A 1000-point rebound switch in the lower right playfield is identified by its triangular yellow plastic marked "SMACK 100" which incorrectly labels it as a 100-point switch.
Credits
Documentation
- DownloadOwner's Manual4 MB