Sources
IPDB and Flipcommons Catalog contributed to this record.
Conflicts resolved (3 fields)
- gameplay_feature
- IPDB 4-Bank Drop Targets used IPDB Spinning Targets ×2 used IPDB Standup Targets ×8 used IPDB Slingshots ×2 used IPDB Pop Bumpers ×4 used IPDB Flippers ×2 used
- theme
- IPDB Music IPDB Licensed Theme used Flipcommons Catalog Music used
- credit
- IPDB Kevin O'Connor — Art IPDB Jim Patla — Design Flipcommons Catalog Jim Patla — Design used Flipcommons Catalog Kevin O'Connor — Art used
Sources agree (4 fields)
- technology_generation
- solid-state IPDB, Flipcommons Catalog
- production_quantity
- 2 IPDB, Flipcommons Catalog
- player_count
- 4 IPDB, Flipcommons Catalog
- ipdb_id
- 6936 IPDB, Flipcommons Catalog
Single source (9 fields)
- ipdb.manufacturer_trade_name
- IPDB Bally used
- ipdb.corporate_entity_name
- IPDB Bally Manufacturing Corporation used
- ipdb.image_urls
- IPDB ["https://www.ipdb.org/images/6936/image-1.png","https://www.ipdb.org/images/6936/image-2.png","https://www.ipdb.org/images/6936/image-3.png","https://www.ipdb.org/images/6936/image-4.png","https://www.ipdb.org/images/6936/image-5.png","https://www.ipdb.org/images/6936/image-6.png","https://www.ipdb.org/images/6936/image-7.png","https://www.ipdb.org/images/6936/image-8.png","https://www.ipdb.org/images/6936/image-9.png","https://www.ipdb.org/images/6936/image-A1.jpg","https://www.ipdb.org/images/6936/image-A2.jpg","https://www.ipdb.org/images/6936/image-A3.jpg","https://www.ipdb.org/images/6936/image-A4.jpg","https://www.ipdb.org/images/6936/image-A5.jpg","https://www.ipdb.org/images/6936/image-A6.jpg","https://www.ipdb.org/images/6936/image-A7.jpg","https://www.ipdb.org/images/6936/image-A8.jpg","https://www.ipdb.org/images/6936/image-A9.jpg","https://www.ipdb.org/images/6936/image-10.png","https://www.ipdb.org/images/6936/image-B1.jpg","https://www.ipdb.org/images/6936/image-B2.jpg","https://www.ipdb.org/images/6936/image-B3.jpg","https://www.ipdb.org/images/6936/image-B4.jpg","https://www.ipdb.org/images/6936/image-B5.jpg","https://www.ipdb.org/images/6936/image-B6.jpg","https://www.ipdb.org/images/6936/image-B7.jpg","https://www.ipdb.org/images/6936/image-C1.jpg","https://www.ipdb.org/images/6936/image-C2.jpg","https://www.ipdb.org/images/6936/image-C3.jpg","https://www.ipdb.org/images/6936/image-C4.jpg","https://www.ipdb.org/images/6936/image-C5.jpg","https://www.ipdb.org/images/6936/image-C6.jpg","https://www.ipdb.org/images/6936/image-C7.jpg","https://www.ipdb.org/images/6936/image-B8.jpg","https://www.ipdb.org/images/6936/image-D1.jpg","https://www.ipdb.org/images/6936/image-D2.jpg","https://www.ipdb.org/images/6936/image-D3.jpg","https://www.ipdb.org/images/6936/image-D4.jpg","https://www.ipdb.org/images/6936/image-D5.jpg","https://www.ipdb.org/images/6936/image-D6.jpg","https://www.ipdb.org/images/6936/image-D7.jpg","https://www.ipdb.org/images/6936/image-C8.jpg","https://www.ipdb.org/images/6936/image-B9.jpg","https://www.ipdb.org/images/6936/image-E1.jpg","https://www.ipdb.org/images/6936/image-E2.jpg","https://www.ipdb.org/images/6936/image-E3.jpg","https://www.ipdb.org/images/6936/image-E4.jpg","https://www.ipdb.org/images/6936/image-E5.jpg","https://www.ipdb.org/images/6936/image-E6.jpg","https://www.ipdb.org/images/6936/image-E7.jpg","https://www.ipdb.org/images/6936/image-11.png"] used
- ipdb.notes
- IPDB The game pictured here was obtained in 2022 from a German distributor for Bally who had had this game in his basement for approximately 40 years. The new owner retained the incandescent lamps of the period instead of changing them to LEDs. No after-factory modifications were noticed. The backglass shows the bolt 'SS' (s-runes) and measures 24 1/2 inches by 23 1/2 inches, having mirrored areas along its top and bottom that the production backglass does not have. The plastic playfield carries the rounded 'S" letters and has the semi-circular mylar protectors in front of the slingshots. Between the backbox and playfield is a shiny metal speaker grille with holes for three speakers although only one speaker is equipped in the game. The cabinet, being fiberglass, is much lighter than a wood cabinet. The metal legs pass through slits in the bottom of the cabinet and bolt to the fiberglass walls from inside the game. As these legs are not attached to the metal frame inside the game, the familiar act of pulling a game away from the wall will stress this cabinet. Pictured in this listing is a full view of the cabinet, the image annotated to show its measured dimensions. The backglass and backbox insert hinge together, swinging outward to allow access inside the backbox. The circuit boards are dated 1979 and an inspection sticker is stamped "Mar. 27 1979". The 220V transformer looks original as would be expected of a game meant for export to Germany. No paperwork accompanied this game. It is coined for the German Deutsche Mark. The German distributor said that the machine was once set up in a bar in Hamburg for a couple of weeks. Allan Reizman, Engineering Lab Supervisor at Bally from 1977 to 1983, told us he is not sure who designed this unique game, saying it could have been Lync-Smith or another designer like Nutting and Associates. He is sure that the number '6' written on the bottom of the cabinet is the tool number or version. Allan provided additional background information on this game:For a long time I thought only 1 existed but now with the reveal of the existence of a German model I�m convinced their were at least 2 of these made. The first model was used for the 1979 AMOA show and was equipped with a crude prototype speech card set. [That] American model was mostly destroyed last time I saw it and I doubt it could have been salvaged. With the discovery of this German model I am convinced there was a second fiberglass cabinet exported to Germany. This makes total sense as the light weight of the fiberglass would have greatly reduced shipping expenses. It also makes sense with the tooling development required to make the cabinet that more than one sample would have been created. From the photographs submitted it is apparent that the German cabinet did not have the speech components. Being a special prototype, the cost to produce must have been astronomical at the time. There were two chief drivers that led to the development of the fiberglass cabinet, weight and material. The fiberglass was considerably lighter than the plywood used to make cabinets. A significant reduction would have greatly reduced export costs. Availability of wood products was also a concern. In the late 1970s there was an anticipated lumber shortage that would have driven up costs of plywood and similar byproducts dramatically. Bally was actively working with its cabinet supplier, Lync Smith, to manufacture cabinets and playfields from alternative materials. As noted in past stories, composite materials had already been tested for playfields. In the end, fiberglass and composites proved to be to costly and impractical. Besides the tooling cost to produce, fiberglass composites could not be readily modified. If a certain game required a modification to accommodate a special feature that would have required an expensive tool revision, whereas plywood could be cut and altered rather easily. Another factor, the reduced weight of the cabinet affected the play and feel of the game. We had to add sandbags to the show game to get the right �feel� when playing. Another fail was the fiberglass was simply not strong enough to handle the harsh use and abuse of a coin game. It easily cracked and split and proved to be unsuitable for commercial use. used
- ipdb.notable_features
- IPDB Flippers (2), Pop bumpers (4), Slingshots (2), Standup targets (8), Spinning targets (2), 4-bank drop targets (1), Right outlane detour gate. Backglass light animation (letters in K-I-S-S light up when scored, animate during Game Over). Fiberglass cabinet. Speaker grille between backbox and playfield. Maximum displayed point score is 999,990 points per player. Sound: electronic, EM knocker Tilt penalty: ball in play used
- corporate_entity
- Flipcommons Catalog bally-manufacturing-corporation used
- title
- Flipcommons Catalog kiss-fiberglass-prototype used
- name
- Flipcommons Catalog KISS (fiberglass prototype) used
- slug
- Flipcommons Catalog kiss-fiberglass-prototype used