Circus

The Circus pinball machine, designed by Jim Patla with artwork by Dick White, was manufactured by Bally in November 1973 during the heyday of electromechanical (EM) pinball. A four-player game with a confirmed production run of 3,550 units, it carries a cheerful circus/carnival theme, and its two-player counterpart was released as Bally's 1974 'Big Show'.

Gameplay on the Circus is characterized by its classic EM feature set: two flippers, one pop bumper, two passive bumpers, and two slingshots that add an element of unpredictability. Six rollover buttons and four standup targets provide multiple scoring opportunities, while the end-of-ball bonus - doubled on the third and fifth balls - creates a sense of excitement and anticipation as each ball winds down. Players must balance their shots carefully to maximize the bonus before draining.

The art and design evoke the whimsy and joy of a classic circus, and trivia enthusiasts may note that the maximum displayed point score on this machine is 199,990 points per player. For pinball enthusiasts seeking a solid early-1970s EM experience with a nostalgic theme, the Circus is an enjoyable machine to discover and play.