Round The World
About This Machine
Round The World is a rare and enigmatic electro-mechanical pinball machine from Precision Automatics, Ltd. that offers a glimpse into the early days of pinball's evolution. Unfortunately, its exact production year remains unknown, but its design and features set it apart as a fascinating example of mid-century pinball innovation. One of the most striking aspects of this machine is its use of cast aluminum flippers, a relatively rare feature among EM machines, which adds to its unique character.
Gameplay on Round The World revolves around scoring numbers 1 through 8 in both yellow and orange, with no requirement for sequential completion. This non-linear gameplay mechanic was ahead of its time, showcasing the game's designers' willingness to experiment with unconventional rules. However, due to the missing backbox, it is unclear how numerical scores were displayed or tallied.
The machine's travel-themed artwork, featuring iconic world landmarks and places, is a notable aspect of its design. The use of standup targets and the absence of slingshots further emphasize the machine's distinct personality. Interestingly, the coin slot accepts old English threepenny pieces, adding to the machine's nostalgic charm. While Round The World may not be a household name in pinball circles, it remains an intriguing piece of history that rewards close examination and appreciation.
Images (17)
Technical Details
- Theme:
- Travel - World Places
- Notable Features:
- Cast aluminum flippers (2), Standup targets (4). No slingshots. Woodrail cabinet. Coin slot takes old English threepenny pieces. Without the backbox to fully confirm, game play has been analyzed by the owner as follows: the object of the game is to score (to 'light up' on the backbox, presumably) numbers 1 through 8 in both yellow and orange. Numbers need not be scored in sequence. The two rollovers hidden beneath the center "?" plastic determine whether a visible rollover scores for yellow or for orange. Once all the numbers are scored for both colors, power is then applied to a wire which, unfortunately, was found not connected to anything but ends close to the wires which went up to the backbox. Three multi-pin connectors join the playfield to the relay board, and two other connectors connect the relays presumably to the missing backbox. There is no evidence in the lower cabinet to suggest any form of numerical scoring was used in the backbox.