Cheer Leader

Cheer Leader, manufactured by Genco of Chicago in October 1935, stands as one of the earliest and most fascinating examples of electro-mechanical (EM) pinball machines. Genco, which operated from 1931 to 1958, was an influential manufacturer in the formative years of the industry, and Cheer Leader is an essential piece for collectors and historians alike.

The gameplay is characterized by its offer of 10 balls for 5 cents, an early example of the coin-operated value proposition that made pinball an arcade staple. The backbox features a light animation of a football on a playing field: shooting balls into holes in the playfield advances the football light in the backglass. A notable and endearing feature is an animated mechanism on the left side of the playfield that kicks a ball up and down several steps as yards and touchdowns are made.

Design-wise, Cheer Leader was advertised as 40 inches long by 20 inches wide and is powered by a transformer for its electro-mechanical components. According to the Encyclopedia of Pinball Vol 2, the backglass is the first by celebrated artist Roy Parker, adding real historical significance for collectors. Cheer Leader remains a fascinating piece of pinball history that contributed to the development of the game as we know it today.