Super Hockey, released by Chicago Coin, is a vintage curiosity that captures the frantic, back-and-forth energy of the rink through a distinctly unconventional mechanical lens. As an electromechanical machine, it eschews modern spectacle for a stripped-down, aggressive playfield design that forces players to abandon their standard pinball instincts. The defining quirk here is the inclusion of reverse flippers, which flip the traditional control scheme on its head and demand a complete recalibration of your timing and aim.
The layout is populated with a mix of two active pop bumpers and six passive bumpers that act as boards, keeping the ball in a state of constant, unpredictable motion. With only a single kick-out hole to anchor the action and a pair of slingshots to accelerate the play, the game feels less like a traditional pinball experience and more like a high-speed game of keep-away. It is a testament to the era’s experimental spirit, proving that even with a minimalist feature set, a machine can still deliver a challenging, high-stakes athletic simulation that feels as rugged as a mid-century hockey game.