Forward Pass (Marvel)

The Forward Pass (Marvel), produced by A. M. Amusement Games in 1934, is an early example of electromechanical pinball from the medium's formative years. As a flipperless machine, it predates the flipper-based gameplay that would come to define pinball starting in 1947, relying instead on the tilt and skill of the shooter to guide the ball toward scoring targets.

The gameplay features a relatively small, 18-inch by 36-inch playfield that sets it apart from larger modern machines. The Sports theme -- specifically football -- was an early and notable departure from the bagatelle-style games prevalent at the time. Its electro-mechanical design would have introduced players to some early electrical scoring or control elements, though specific mechanical details are not well documented.

Little is known about the designer or specific aspects of the game's art or theme. The Forward Pass (Marvel) remains a little-documented piece of pinball history, but for enthusiasts, its early electro-mechanical design and football theme make it an interesting artifact from the sport-themed games of the 1930s.