Deluxe Fun Cruise

The Deluxe Fun Cruise, manufactured by Bally in November 1966, is a low-production flipperless electro-mechanical game, with just 460 units confirmed built. Bally announced its delivery in Cash Box that November, explaining that it "was built in response to the continued world wide demand for the original 'Fun Cruise'", Bally's earlier 1966 release, which had been out of production for several months.

The game gives players three balls per play across a lively playfield of six pop bumpers, eight mushroom bumpers, and a single kick-out hole. There are no flippers on this game; instead, two very powerful slingshots at the bottom of the playfield propel the ball back into action, giving the game its distinctive character. The maximum displayed point score is 9,990 points, and sounds come from a single bell plus a knocker.

The theme embodies the carefree spirit of the 1960s, celebrating happiness, recreation, travel, and places around the world. One period curiosity: the ones-digit of the score is simply a silkscreened "0", as dummy score reel segments were not adopted by Bally until 1970's 'King Rex'. Between its small production run and its unusual flipperless design, the Deluxe Fun Cruise is a fascinating snapshot of mid-1960s Bally.