Apollo Ball (アポロボール)

The Apollo Ball (アポロボール) is a rare and intriguing electro-mechanical pinball machine from Taito Trading Co., Ltd. of Japan, likely dating to around 1971, whose theme reflects the era's fascination with lunar exploration and outer space. It is believed to be an adaptation of Sega Enterprises' 'Skill Ball,' as Taito and Sega reportedly collaborated around this time - the games share nearly identical mechanics.

The Apollo Ball's gameplay features are distinctive. The machine boasts 25 trap holes, six cards, and a Skill Bumper feature that allows players to jolt the playfield forward with the press of a button. The number of times this feature can be used is determined by the initial token count, adding an extra layer of strategy to the game. Players must also navigate the lockdown bar, which features a coin slot and three distinct buttons: "A" and "B" on the left end, and an "R" button on the right.

The payout mechanism is housed in a metal box attached to the cabinet bottom, which would have dispensed tokens rather than cash due to Japanese law at the time. As a Japanese cousin to Bally's own 1969 'Apollo Ball,' this machine offers a glimpse into early Japanese bingo/payout pinball design during a period of close collaboration between Taito and Sega.