Champion (Add-a-Ball Model)

The Champion (Add-a-Ball Model), a 1975 release from Nordamatic of Verona, Italy, is an electromechanical (EM) pinball machine from a manufacturer that produced games from 1975 to 1979 — making this an early Nordamatic title rather than a late one. This add-a-ball edition is a variant of Nordamatic's companion replay model, 'Champion (Replay Model)', released the same year; it differs mainly in using a "biri-biri" sound instead of chimes, omitting the word 'flipper' on its card holder, not awarding a Special from the upper-right green X target, and showing a 'Previous High Score' area on the backglass instead of a replay window.

Gameplay is a straightforward, sports-themed bowling game. Key features include two flippers, three pop bumpers, and two slingshots, which provide a satisfying, tactile experience. Eight standup targets offer varying point values, while a spinning target and two kick-out holes add an extra layer of challenge and strategy, along with a star rollover. The wedge-head cabinet and "biri-biri" sound effect are hallmarks of the era's EM design.

The Champion's design and art — credited to artist Michele "Mike" Martinelli — are typical of EM machines from this era, with a bowling-lane playfield that shares some design elements with Gottlieb's 1975 '"300"'. The bowling artwork and target placement evoke a sense of authenticity, making players feel like they're actually on the lanes. The Champion remains an appealing example of mid-1970s EM pinball design, blending straightforward bowling-themed gameplay with dependable electromechanical engineering.