Eight Ball

Eight Ball, designed by George Christian with artwork by Paul Faris and manufactured by Bally in 1977, was one of Bally's early solid-state electronic games and a landmark commercial success, with a confirmed production run of 20,230 units. Interestingly, although Eight Ball is a solid-state machine, its sound is not generated by a sound board: a four-note MPU-controlled chime box produces the audio, pairing modern solid-state scoring and response with the nostalgic ring of electro-mechanical chimes.

At its core, Eight Ball offers an engaging billiards-themed experience for up to four players, complete with two flippers, three pop bumpers, two slingshots, four standup targets, a spinning target, and a left outlane kickback. The bonus balls in the center of the lower playfield are designated balls 1-7 for players 1 and 3 and balls 9-15 for players 2 and 4, tying the scoring directly to the pool theme. The machine offers a maximum displayed point score of 999,990 points per player, providing plenty of room for high-score chases.

Paul Faris's artwork captures the spirit of the pool hall in Bally's signature late-1970s style. Artist Margaret Hudson, who assisted Faris on this game as a learning experience, worked her initials onto the bracelet of the girl on the backglass. With its rich history and engaging gameplay, Eight Ball is an essential addition to any serious pinball collection or enthusiast's game room.