Banzai Run

An earlier example of a game with a vertical scoring playfield in the backbox is Genco's 1951 'Double Action'. This game was inspired by a 1987 independently made prototype called Wreck'n Ball. In our Files section are many pictures of a prototype version of Banzai Run and a chart comparing its differences to the production version. Although this game features a two-ball multiball only, three balls should be placed in the trough. This is the first pinball machine to have the Lane Change switches implemented as low-voltage switches located at the flipper buttons, not at the flipper End-Of-Stroke. This allowed Banzai Run to play sounds when the flipper buttons are pressed in attract mode where flippers are not activated. Larry DeMar provided these comments:I can confirm that Banzai Run had 3 balls although it only ever needed 2. The software was capable of adjusting to a missing ball and not putting the game out of service. I suspect it is correct that this was the first time this was done. Later WMS games would adjust down to any number of balls (at least 1) available, but this was where it started. I'm not sure about whether it was the first to use low voltage switches for the flipper buttons, but it was the first that I programmed to make an attract mode sound when the button was pressed so it is likely that this is true. Production Run Records for Banzai Run: Production Start Date: May-20-1988 Production End Date: Dec-20-1988 Production Run Quantity: 1751 First ship date: May-20-1988 Last ship date: May-31-1989