Kicker

Bally's 'Kicker' pinball machine, released in 1977, represents one of the last electro-mechanical pinball machines produced before the industry's transition to solid-state electronics. The machine emerged during a pivotal period in pinball history, as manufacturers were preparing to embrace the digital revolution that would transform the industry in the following years.

The game's design focused on soccer/football themes, capitalizing on the growing popularity of soccer in North America during the late 1970s. Its playfield featured multiple kicker mechanisms that could propel the ball in unexpected directions, true to its name. The machine incorporated classic EM scoring reels and chimes, providing that distinctive mechanical sound that many enthusiasts associate with vintage pinball.

Kicker's gameplay emphasized skill shots and precise timing, with various targets and kickout holes that could send the ball flying across the playfield. The machine's layout influenced several subsequent soccer-themed pinball designs, and its mechanical kicker mechanisms became a standard feature in many later games. While not as widely recognized as some other Bally titles from the era, Kicker represents an important transition point in pinball history, straddling the line between classic electro-mechanical design and the solid-state revolution that would follow.