Technoplay Hi-Ball
Technoplay Hi-Ball
Hi-Ball is a vertical cabinet pinball machine released in 1988 by Italian firm Technoplay.
The playfield is suspended on springs so that it can be shaken almost like a normal pinball cabinet.
A vacuum-formed horseshoe-shaped ramp is accessed by the ball on each side of the mid-playfield (entrances are marked Space Journey) and allows the ball entry at the top of the playfield to the clear plastic aerial crossover ramps, returning the ball to a flipper.
The backglass also shows the name 'Space Team' which is a reference to Tecnoplay's 1988 'Space Team', the same game as 'Hi-Ball' but in a different cabinet.
The operator could purchase, as an option, an additional backglass and ROMS to convert this game to a sort of bingo pinball. Because bingo games were forbidden in Italy, this conversion kit was never advertised publicly, although the flyer does hint at it by stating "Disponibile in due versioni" ("two versions available"). Information about it was written in a sheet inside a game and carried by word of mouth. Reinstalling the original ROMs and backglass would restore the game to the original version.
The flyer also indicates that operators would be able to change the playfield and game with future playfields and games, as kits, but the company did not stay in operation long enough to produce any future games or kits.
This machine was originally used in commercial environments such as arcades, public houses, and amusements.
When you place your order with us, we will take the machine out of storage and bring it into our workshop, where technicians will fully clean and test all the components to ensure they are in working order as well as making any repairs that may be necessary.
Because of the age of these machines and that fact that they were originally used in commercial environments, it is possible that there may be signs of cosmetic wear and tear. However, we feel that these slight imperfections only add to the patina of this classic machine and helps to tell a story of its past life.
Please understand that some items may take up to 28 days for a full refurbishment.
