Trade Winds

Trade Winds, released by Bally Manufacturing in 1962, emerged during the golden age of electro-mechanical pinball machines. This tropical-themed pinball machine captured the exotic allure of South Pacific destinations that were captivating American pop culture in the early 1960s, riding the wave of Tiki culture popularity and Americans' growing fascination with tropical getaways.

The machine featured classic EM gameplay elements including standard flippers, bumpers, and scoring lanes, all themed around a paradise island motif. The playfield artwork typically incorporated palm trees, ocean waves, and tropical imagery that was characteristic of the period's artistic style. Like many games of this era, it utilized mechanical score reels and chimes to create the distinctive sounds that defined early pinball machines.

Trade Winds represented a typical example of Bally's engineering prowess during the electro-mechanical era, incorporating reliable mechanisms that helped establish Bally's reputation for quality manufacturing. While not necessarily a breakthrough title in terms of innovative features, it contributed to the broader lineup of themed pinball machines that helped sustain the industry's popularity during the early 1960s.