Start your engines — Chicago Coin’s Action is an electromechanical single-player built around the roar of auto racing, from one of the oldest and most storied names in the coin-op business, a manufacturer whose history stretches back to the earliest days of the industry. With reel scoring and art by the great Christian Marche, whose bold, stylish illustration graced so many machines of the era, it’s a characterful woodrail-era piece from a genuine pioneer of the trade.
The layout is a solid, engaging spread with a few distinctive features: two flippers, three pop bumpers, a pair of slingshots, four standup targets, two rollunders, two power targets, and a kick-out hole. Those power targets are an interesting touch, adding a bit of extra scoring variety to the playfield, while the rollunders and standups give a player clear objectives to work through and the bumpers keep the ball lively up top. It’s a clean, well-balanced design in the classic EM mold, built to deliver the honest, chiming pleasures that made these machines such reliable favorites, all in service of the high-speed racing theme.
Action is a fine example of Chicago Coin’s electromechanical craft, pairing an exciting auto-racing theme with Marche’s showstopping artwork. Chicago Coin was one of the industry’s foundational manufacturers, and its machines carry a real slice of pinball’s deep history. For the collector who loves the golden age of EM pinball and the pioneering companies that built it, this racing-themed title is a worthy find. Work those power targets, ride the bumpers, and race for the finish. Some machines connect you to the deep roots of the hobby, and this Chicago Coin classic is one of them. Drop a coin and hit the track.