Machine Description

Flash, released by Bally in 1979, emerged during a pivotal transition period in pinball history as manufacturers were moving from electro-mechanical to solid-state electronics. The machine represented Bally's growing expertise with digital technology, featuring their reliable MPU-17 hardware platform that would become a standard for many subsequent games.

The game's design emphasized speed and flow, with a relatively open playfield layout that allowed for fast-paced action. Flash featured multi-ball play, a popular feature that was still relatively new for solid-state games of this era. The machine's artwork and theme focused on lightning and electrical effects, which tied naturally into both the game's title and the electronic revolution happening in pinball at the time.

Flash proved to be a commercial success for Bally, helping establish player confidence in solid-state pinball machines at a time when some still questioned the reliability of computerized games. The machine's straightforward but engaging design made it a common sight in arcades and bars throughout the early 1980s, and it remains a sought-after collector's piece that represents an important milestone in pinball's technological evolution.