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1969

Super Circus Rifle

Quick Overview

Super Circus Rifle is Chicago Coin's 1969 electromechanical rifle gallery (also known as Super Circus Rifle Gallery). A circus-themed machine with no screen: mechanics, electrical control and a tape sound system make up the game. It is a rare piece among collectors.

Super Circus Rifle

Basics

  • Release1969 (date code 12/69 on surviving machines)
  • ManufacturerChicago Coin (Chicago Dynamic Industries, USA)
  • TypeElectromechanical rifle gallery
  • GenreShooting game
  • SoundTape player with circus music

Standout Features

Circus-themed music and lookA tape sound system with circus musicFully electromechanical operation, no screenA rifle mounted on the machine

Gameplay

Aiming and firing at mechanical targetsCollecting pointsCircus atmosphere throughout the game

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Game Objective

You fire a rifle at mechanical targets, and hits earn points. The machine uses no screen: mechanics and electrical control run the game, and the circus music from the tape sets the mood.

Chicago Coin: The Chicago Pinball Maker

The Chicago Coin Machine Manufacturing Company was founded in Chicago around 1931 by Sam Gensburg, Sam Wolberg and Lou Koren. In 1957 it took the name Chicago Dynamic Industries (keeping Chicago Coin as its product label) and in 1959 it merged with Genco. In late 1976 Gary and Sam Stern bought the company assets and founded Stern Electronics.

Fun Facts

  • The date code shows it was built in December 1969.
  • A tape player supplies the circus music.
  • It is electromechanical, with no screen.
  • Earlier Chicago Coin rifle games, such as the Super Scope Rifle (1966), are also known.
  • It is rare among collectors: the Arcade Museum census lists three known machines.

The Evolution of Arcade

Super Circus Rifle came out in 1969, before video games, when arcades meant mechanical shooting galleries and pinball. Chicago Coin moved into video games in the following years, with TV Ping Pong in 1973.

Who Is It For?

Anyone who wants to see and hear what an arcade was like before video games. It is especially interesting to collectors and fans of mechanical machines.