Forward Pass

Forward Pass was a football-themed pinball machine released by Bally in 1979, arriving during a pivotal time when the pinball industry was transitioning from electro-mechanical to solid-state electronics. The machine capitalized on the growing popularity of professional football in American culture during the late 1970s.

The playfield design featured classic football elements including goalposts, yard markers, and football player imagery. As one of Bally's early solid-state machines, Forward Pass incorporated electronic sound effects that simulated crowd cheers and referee whistles, adding a new layer of immersion compared to earlier mechanical bells and chimes. The backglass artwork typically displayed dramatic football action scenes that were characteristic of the era's sports-themed pinball aesthetic.

Gameplay focused on football-inspired objectives, with players attempting to advance the ball down the field through various shots and targets. The machine introduced innovative scoring features that mimicked actual football scoring, with players able to achieve touchdowns, field goals, and extra points. This direct connection between the sport and pinball mechanics helped make it accessible to casual players while providing enough depth for experienced players.

While production numbers aren't definitively known, Forward Pass represents an important milestone in sports-themed pinball history, bridging the gap between classic electro-mechanical games and modern solid-state machines. Its release during the golden age of pinball helped establish many conventions for future sports-themed tables.