Wizard!

Bally's 'Wizard!' pinball machine, released in 1975, holds a special place in pinball history as one of the first machines to capitalize on the pinball culture boom sparked by The Who's rock opera 'Tommy.' The machine was directly inspired by the film adaptation of 'Tommy' and featured artwork reflecting the movie's psychedelic aesthetic, though it couldn't use direct movie imagery due to licensing restrictions.

The machine's design incorporated several innovative features for its era, including a simplified playfield that emphasized fast action and skilled shooting. It featured two pop bumpers, several drop targets, and a spinning target in the center - all elements that would become standard in future pinball designs. The game's success helped establish Bally's dominance in the mid-1970s pinball market.

As an electro-mechanical machine, 'Wizard!' represented the peak of that technology era, released just a few years before the industry's transition to solid-state electronics. The game's scoring system was fully mechanical, using motors, relays, and stepper units to track points, with the characteristic clicking and chiming sounds that defined the EM era. Production numbers were substantial for the period, with approximately 10,000 units manufactured.

The machine's cultural impact extended beyond its immediate release, helping to cement the connection between pinball and rock music culture. Its timing alongside the 'Tommy' film helped drive a renaissance in pinball popularity during the mid-1970s, and its success influenced future rock-themed pinball machines that would become increasingly common in the decades that followed.