Ace

The Ace pinball machine, manufactured by Bally in June 1935, is an early example of electro-mechanical (EM) pinball technology from the payout-machine era. It predates many features we take for granted today, including flippers, multiball play, and electronic scoring. Its simplicity makes it an interesting waypoint in the evolution of the pinball industry.

The gameplay on the Ace is straightforward: players insert a nickel to play one ball, aiming for the 17 trap holes on the playfield. Automatic cash payouts range from 10 cents to $1.50 per game. A notable aspect of this machine is its operation on batteries rather than line power. The instruction card, complete with a warning that the score is void if the machine is tilted and the assurance that this is 'a game of skill for amusement only', adds to the period charm of this vintage machine.

The Ace's design is remarkably simple, reflecting the technology available at the time, and the game was advertised at 42 inches long by 20 inches wide - compact by later standards. A manufacturer ad from July 1935 even touted a 'steel armored cabinet'. Little information about its designer or theme is known, leaving this machine to speak for itself as a testament to the ingenuity of early pinball pioneers, and it remains a piece of gaming history that continues to fascinate collectors and enthusiasts today.