Bon voyage and safe travels — Bally’s Bon Voyage is an electromechanical single-player wrapped in a theme of aviation, travel, and transportation, designed by the prolific Jim Patla with art by the legendary Dave Christensen, whose bold, psychedelic style defined the look of so many great 1970s Bally machines. With reel scoring and a confirmed run of 1,585, it’s a handsome woodrail-era piece bursting with the color of its era.
The layout is a busy, engaging spread with some distinctive touches: two flippers, two pop bumpers, a pair of slingshots, a generous six standup targets, three star rollovers, a kick-out hole, a spinning target, and a messenger ball. That spinning target offers satisfying, high-value shots for a scoring-minded player, while the six standups give plenty of objectives to work through, the star rollovers add scoring variety, and the messenger ball provides a bit of mechanical interest. It’s a well-appointed, feature-rich design that rewards active play, all in service of its jet-age travel theme and the glamour of far-flung destinations.
Bon Voyage is a fine example of Jim Patla’s dependable design and Christensen’s showstopping artwork, pairing an evocative travel theme with a satisfying, feature-rich playfield. The aviation-and-travel motif captured the era’s romance with flight and faraway places, all glamour and adventure, and Christensen’s vivid art brings it to life. For the collector who loves the golden age of EM pinball and the great artists who defined its look, it’s a rewarding find. Rip that spinner, work the six standups, and set off on your grand voyage. Some machines carry you somewhere, and this Bally travelogue whisks you off in colorful, chiming style. Bon voyage, and drop a coin.