Hei-Score

The Hei-Score is a rare and enigmatic example of early mechanical game design. It was produced by Myers Bros. Novelty Co. of Chillicothe, Missouri, though its exact year of production remains unknown. Notably, Hei-Score is not a full-size pinball cabinet but a compact table top/counter game, meant to sit on a counter or bar rather than stand on the floor.

One of the standout aspects of the Hei-Score is its gameplay: players could enjoy 10 balls for just one cent. The machine boasts 17 trap holes, which would have added an element of challenge and unpredictability. The compact cabinet measured just 31 inches long (including the coin slide), 15 inches wide, and 8 inches high at the back, fitting its role as a counter game.

The Hei-Score's design and art are not well-documented, but its small format and rarity make it a fascinating subject for collectors and historians of mechanical amusement games. The back panel, which unscrews to access the game's inner workings, provides a glimpse into the machine's mechanics. While little is known about the machine's original theme or artistic treatment, its blend of mechanical simplicity and tabletop format make it an intriguing curiosity.