Old Chicago

Old Chicago, released by Bally Manufacturing in 1975, represents one of the last great electro-mechanical pinball machines produced during the golden age of EM pinball. The machine captured the essence and charm of Chicago's roaring 1920s era, featuring artwork and theming that celebrated the city's iconic architecture and gangster-era history.

The machine's playfield design, created by Greg Kmiec, featured classic elements including pop bumpers, drop targets, and spinning targets arranged in a highly balanced layout that rewarded skilled play. Its scoring system, while simple by modern standards, was innovative for its time, offering multiple ways to achieve bonus multipliers and special scores. The game's standout mechanical feature was its 'Building Lights' bonus system, where players could light up a miniature Chicago skyline by hitting specific targets.

With approximately 4,100 units produced, Old Chicago proved to be commercially successful and remains highly sought after by collectors today. It represented one of Bally's most popular releases of 1975 and helped cement the company's reputation for producing quality pinball machines. The game's theme and execution influenced numerous subsequent Chicago-themed pinball machines, and its balanced playfield design principles continue to influence modern pinball designers.

Old Chicago holds particular historical significance as it was released during the twilight years of electro-mechanical pinball, just before the industry's transition to solid-state electronics. The game exemplifies the height of EM engineering sophistication, showcasing what was possible with purely mechanical systems before the digital revolution transformed the industry.