Hang Glider

Hang Glider, released by Bally in 1981, captured the rising popularity of hang gliding during the adventure sports boom of the late 1970s and early 1980s. The machine exemplified the period's trend of incorporating contemporary recreational activities into pinball themes, making it relatable to players while maintaining an aspirational quality.

The playfield design featured ramps and targets arranged to simulate the sensation of flight, with artwork depicting dramatic scenes of hang gliders soaring over mountainous landscapes. As a solid-state machine, it incorporated electronic sounds that mimicked wind effects and soaring themes, enhancing the atmospheric experience. The game's layout included multiple upper playfield features that encouraged players to keep the ball in play at elevated positions, reinforcing the flying theme.

While not one of Bally's highest-production games of the era, Hang Glider represented an important step in thematic pinball design, demonstrating how manufacturers could successfully adapt modern sporting activities into compelling pinball experiences. The machine remains appreciated among collectors for its unique theme and characteristic early solid-state era gameplay, though it's considered relatively uncommon in today's market.

The game's release coincided with a period when pinball manufacturers were actively experimenting with new themes to attract players, moving beyond the traditional circus, western, and science fiction motifs that had dominated earlier decades. Hang Glider's sports-adventure theme helped pave the way for more diverse and contemporary subject matter in pinball design.