Butterfly

Bally's 'Butterfly' pinball machine emerged during a pivotal transition period in pinball history, representing one of the early solid-state games as the industry moved away from electro-mechanical systems. Released in 1978, it featured artwork and themes that captured the aesthetic sensibilities of the late 1970s, with vibrant colors and naturalistic motifs that were popular during this era.

The machine's design centered around an elegant butterfly theme, incorporating butterfly imagery throughout its playfield and backglass artwork. The gameplay layout was characteristic of early solid-state era pins, featuring standard drop targets, pop bumpers, and typically two or three flippers. This period marked Bally's experimentation with new electronic features while maintaining familiar mechanical elements that players expected.

Butterfly represents an interesting historical marker in pinball evolution, being among the first wave of solid-state games that helped establish new possibilities for scoring and game features. While not as well-known as some other Bally titles from this period, it showcases the company's willingness to explore nature-themed concepts beyond the typical science fiction and action themes that dominated the era. Production numbers were modest, making it a relatively rare find for modern collectors.