Playtime

Playtime, manufactured by Chicago Coin Machine Manufacturing Company in 1968, is an electro-mechanical (EM) pinball machine designed by Al Schlappa, Jerry Koci, and John Gore. It is the add-a-ball counterpart to Chicago Coin's replay version of the same name, released the same year.

The machine boasts two flippers, three pop bumpers, two slingshots, and four kick-out holes, which all contribute to fast-paced gameplay. Additionally, the presence of standup targets, rollover buttons, and a ball saver post with an up-post adds an extra layer of challenge and strategy. What sets Playtime apart from other EM machines is its use of "action holes" that propel the ball from side to side, providing an engaging visual element, and hitting playfield targets advances the Top Score reels in the backglass.

The machine's theme, Nightlife - Women, is depicted through colorful artwork featuring a vibrant cityscape with women dancing in the foreground. Little is documented about the designers' specific inspirations or creative decisions behind Playtime's artwork, but its combination of features and design makes it an interesting piece of EM pinball history, particularly for collectors interested in add-a-ball variants.