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Seattle Pinball Museum
Home
Our History
Game List
  • Game List
  • 2000-NOW
  • 1980-1999
  • 1960-1979
Planning a visit
  • Plan Your Trip
  • How to Get Here
  • Whats Around Us
  • Rules for Entry
  • FAQs
  • Location and Hours
Games for Sale
  • Featured Games for Sale
  • Jersey Jack Pinball
  • Legacy Machines
  • Sales Contact Form
Private Events
More
  • Home
  • Our History
  • Game List
    • Game List
    • 2000-NOW
    • 1980-1999
    • 1960-1979
  • Planning a visit
    • Plan Your Trip
    • How to Get Here
    • Whats Around Us
    • Rules for Entry
    • FAQs
    • Location and Hours
  • Games for Sale
    • Featured Games for Sale
    • Jersey Jack Pinball
    • Legacy Machines
    • Sales Contact Form
  • Private Events

  • Home
  • Our History
  • Game List
    • Game List
    • 2000-NOW
    • 1980-1999
    • 1960-1979
  • Planning a visit
    • Plan Your Trip
    • How to Get Here
    • Whats Around Us
    • Rules for Entry
    • FAQs
    • Location and Hours
  • Games for Sale
    • Featured Games for Sale
    • Jersey Jack Pinball
    • Legacy Machines
    • Sales Contact Form
  • Private Events

Expressway

Date of Manufacture: August 1971
Number Produced: 1,555 units
Manufacturer: Bally Manufacturing Co.

Creators:

  • Designer: Ted Zale
  • Artist: Christian Marche

Game Type: 

  • Electro-mechanical
  • 1-player game

Rating: 7.5/10
Fun Rating: 8/10

DISCUSSION OF Expressway PINBALL

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History
Innovations
Game Tutorial

History of Expressway

Released in 1971, Expressway is a hallmark of Bally's rich portfolio of electro-mechanical pinball machines. Designed by Ted Zale, a pioneer in innovative playfield layouts, and adorned with Christian Marche's bold, geometric artwork, the game captures the era's design sensibilities. The machine featured unique innovations such as a left-side kickback lane and an up-post between flippers, providing enhanced ball control—a significant advancement for its time.


Expressway became a favorite for its straightforward yet challenging gameplay, marked by six mushroom bumpers, three pop bumpers, and strategically placed kick-out holes. The game's theme of roadways and travel struck a chord with players during an era of growing car culture in the U.S., making it a culturally resonant addition to arcades.

Cultural Impact

Cultural Impact

Cultural Impact

As highways symbolized freedom and exploration during the 1970s, Expressway's theme resonated deeply, aligning with the spirit of the era. Its innovative mechanics influenced subsequent Bally machines, helping define the electro-mechanical era of pinball.

Cultural Impact

Cultural Impact

      

Innovations and Features

Interesting Facts and Trivia

Interesting Facts and Trivia

  • Mushroom Bumpers: A playful feature that added unpredictability to ball movement.


  • Left-side Kickback Lane: Allowed for a second chance when the ball veered toward the outlane

.

  • Up-Post Between Flippers: Gave players more time to react and strategize, enhancing engagement.


  • Vivid Artwork: Christian Marche's artwork made the game visually striking and inviting.

Interesting Facts and Trivia

Interesting Facts and Trivia

Interesting Facts and Trivia

  • Expressway was among the first machines to incorporate "up-posts," which soon became a staple feature in pinball design.


  • The machine's distinct mushroom bumpers set it apart visually and functionally from other games of the time.


  • Despite its modest production numbers, Expressway is well-remembered for its playability and aesthetic appeal.

Expressway Gameplay Tutorial

Goal and Objectives

The main goal of Expressway is to achieve the highest possible score by skillfully using the machine’s distinctive features, including mushroom bumpers, pop bumpers, kick-out holes, and the up-post between the flippers. Success lies in maximizing point-scoring opportunities and utilizing the kickback and up-post for extended gameplay.

Game Modes and Rule Sets

Scoring Opportunities:

  • Pop Bumpers: Hitting any of the three pop bumpers scores points and redirects the ball for further gameplay.
  • Mushroom Bumpers: These are critical for accumulating points and triggering game actions. Aim for these to increase your score rapidly.
  • Kick-Out Holes: Landing the ball in one of these adds a significant number of points and relaunches the ball with strategic momentum.

Kickback Lane:

  • The left-side kickback lane offers a "safety net." If the ball enters this lane, it will be kicked back into play instead of being lost. Aim to take advantage of this feature when possible.

Up-Post Between Flippers:

  • The up-post can temporarily block the ball from draining between the flippers, giving you a chance to recover and continue scoring. Timing your shots to activate this feature can significantly extend your gameplay.

How to Score High

Hit the Mushroom Bumpers Early:

  • These bumpers are crucial for building a score base. The unpredictable trajectory adds to the excitement and the chance to hit other high-scoring features.

Maximize Kick-Out Hole Use:

  • Focus on aiming for the kick-out holes. They not only provide points but also position the ball for optimal follow-up shots.

Control the Flippers:

  • Use careful and deliberate flipper shots to aim for pop bumpers and mushroom bumpers. Avoid uncontrolled rapid flipping to minimize ball loss.

Leverage the Kickback Lane:

  • If the ball heads toward the left-side outlane, the kickback will save it. Aiming for this lane periodically can provide a safety mechanism while keeping your score climbing.

Utilize the Up-Post:

  • The up-post between flippers should be activated strategically. If active, it will save your ball from a center drain, giving you extra time to reset your shot. Keep an eye on its availability and use it wisely.

Tips for Scoring Mastery

  • Avoid Multiball Expectations: Expressway does not feature a multiball mode, so focus entirely on single-ball gameplay optimization.
  • Master Skill Shots: At the start of each ball, aim to direct it toward mushroom bumpers or kick-out holes for an early scoring advantage.
  • Plan Your Shot Trajectories: Use controlled shots to maintain ball flow between features, particularly focusing on high-value bumpers.
  • Maintain Ball Momentum: Avoid trapping the ball for too long on the flippers. A steady rhythm increases the chance of hitting multiple scoring elements.

Expressway rewards precision and timing. With its blend of unique features and scoring mechanisms, this machine remains a favorite among enthusiasts. Hone your skills, aim carefully, and take full advantage of its innovative gameplay elements to dominate the leaderboard!

General Gameplay Tips

  • Ball Control: Maintaining control of the ball is crucial for maximizing your score. Focus on keeping the ball away from the outlanes and in the center of the playfield.
  • Timing and Precision: Pay attention to the timing of your shots. Precise flipper control can help you hit high-value targets and complete objectives.
  • Understanding the Playfield: Familiarize yourself with the playfield layout, including the locations of bumpers, kickers, and rollovers. Knowing where to aim can help you optimize your gameplay strategy.

Advanced Strategy

  • Combo Shots: Align shots to hit the swinging targets immediately after the ball ricochets from lit bumpers for bonus chain scoring.
  • Play Defense: Watch for rebounds from the swinging targets, as they can lead to unexpected drains if not carefully managed.
  • Endgame Planning: Set up the playfield during the last ball to maximize bonus collection at the end of your turn.

Resources

"Expressway Pinball Machine." Pinside, www.pinside.com/pinball/machine/expressway.  Accessed 20 Dec. 2024.

"Expressway by Bally." Open Pinball Database (OPDB), opdb.org/machine/expressway.  Accessed 20 Dec. 2024.

"Expressway (Bally, 1971)." Internet Pinball Machine Database (IPDB), www.ipdb.org/machine.cgi?id=846.  Accessed 20 Dec. 2024.

Pinball Nirvana, www.pinballnirvana.com/. Accessed 20 Dec. 2024.

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