Machine Description

Captain Kidd, released by Bally Manufacturing in 1976, represents one of the last great electro-mechanical pinball machines produced before the industry's transition to solid-state electronics. The machine captures the golden age of pirate-themed amusement devices, featuring vibrant artwork depicting the legendary pirate Captain William Kidd and his maritime adventures.

The playfield design, created by Greg Kmiec, showcases classic EM-era innovations with multiple drop targets, pop bumpers, and a unique center spinner feature that players could activate for high scoring opportunities. The machine's scoring system was sophisticated for its time, offering multiple ways to achieve bonus points and special features, while maintaining the mechanical reliability that characterized Bally's engineering excellence of the 1970s.

Captain Kidd proved to be commercially successful, with approximately 2,500 units produced. The game's enduring popularity among collectors stems from its position as one of the last great EM machines, its highly collectible artwork, and its representation of the transition period between electro-mechanical and solid-state pinball technologies. The machine continues to be sought after by enthusiasts and is considered a significant piece of pinball history, bridging the gap between classic and modern eras of pinball design.