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1963

Bronco

Quick Overview

Bronco is an electromechanical pinball machine released by the Chicago Coin Machine Company in 1963, evoking the classic American Wild West and the world of the rodeo. It comes from the fully mechanical era of pinball: no computer, no digital display, no electronic sound. Relays, switches, motors and mechanical counters do all the work, while the player uses two flippers to keep the steel ball in play for as long as possible. The striking western artwork was painted by Roy Parker, and the game design is credited to Jerry Koci and Al Schlappa.

Bronco

Basics

  • Release1963
  • ManufacturerChicago Coin Machine Mfg. Co.
  • Model number308
  • DesignersJerry Koci, Al Schlappa
  • ArtRoy Parker
  • TypeElectromechanical (EM)
  • GenrePinball
  • ThemeWestern / rodeo / horses
  • Players2
  • DisplayMechanical score reels
  • Multiballnone

Creators

Jerry Koci – game designerAl Schlappa – game designerRoy Parker – art

Standout features:

Fully electromechanical constructionFour pop bumpersThe circular CorralMechanical score reels

Play It Live!

Back to 1963! Keep the ball in play, aim for the Corral, and try the Chicago Coin Bronco electromechanical pinball machine in person at Arcade Museum Budapest.

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Game Objective

Bronco is a classic, easy-to-understand electromechanical pinball machine: the goal is to score as many points as possible and, of course, to keep the ball in play for as long as you can. Four pop bumpers in the upper playfield provide fast, unpredictable ball action. Completing the various lanes, targets and kick-out holes opens up increasingly valuable scoring opportunities. One of the game's signature features is the circular "Corral", which the machine's original promotional material already highlighted. There are no complicated missions or video modes. It's all about precise shots, quick reactions and ball control.

Fun Facts

  • Bronco was built in 1963, more than six decades ago.
  • Fully electromechanical construction, with no microprocessor.
  • It keeps track of two players' scores at once.
  • The western-themed artwork was painted by Roy Parker.
  • The machine was designed by Jerry Koci and Al Schlappa.
  • One of the playfield's signature features is the Corral.
  • Scores are shown by rotating mechanical score reels.
  • Bronco comes from Chicago Coin's classic electromechanical era.
  • There is also a much later Bronco pinball machine, released by Gottlieb in 1977 — apart from the name and the western theme, the two machines have no direct connection.

Why Is It Special?

The Chicago Coin Bronco is more than a game today — it's a working piece of arcade and pinball history. In 1963, real mechanics were behind every single point. Inside the machine, relays click, switches close and coils pull in, while the score is counted by reels that physically rotate. No software. No LCD. No digital sound. Every single event has an audible, visible mechanical cause. That's exactly what makes it special to play a machine like this today: you get the same experience a player had more than sixty years ago.