Rocket III, released by Bally in 1967, is a quintessential slice of mid-century space-age optimism brought to life by the legendary design duo of Ted Zale and artist Christian Marche. As a single-player EM machine, it captures the era’s fascination with the final frontier, wrapping a frenetic, high-scoring playfield in Marche’s signature bold, graphic aesthetic. The machine’s most defining characteristic is the inclusion of Bally’s innovative “Zipper Flippers,” a mechanical marvel that allows the flippers to snap together, effectively closing the gap between them and demanding a completely different approach to ball control and trap-and-shoot geometry.
The playfield is a dense, high-traffic zone designed to keep the ball in constant motion, populated by an unusual array of ten mushroom bumpers and four classic pop bumpers. The centerpiece of the board is a spinning bumper that acts as a chaotic redirector, often sending the ball on unpredictable trajectories that test a player’s reflexes. Because of the open-gap nature of the Zipper Flippers when they are extended, players must master the timing of the flipper retraction to prevent the ball from draining straight down the middle. It is a fast, unforgiving, and deeply rhythmic experience that rewards players who can anticipate the rebound patterns of the mushroom bumper layout.
With just over 2,600 units produced, Rocket III remains a prized target for collectors seeking the tactile, mechanical “clack” of score reels and the raw, unadulterated speed of a Zale-designed classic. Strategy on this table centers on managing the ball’s momentum through the cluttered mid-field; rather than aiming for precise, singular shots, success often comes from learning how to corral the ball into the bumpers to trigger chain reactions. It is a masterclass in minimalist design, proving that you don’t need deep rulesets or LCD displays to create an intense, pulse-pounding game of skill.