NBA Fastbreak (Bally 1997) Pinball

As one of the last efforts by Bally and Williams (also known as Midway) to keep pinball alive was to create new and involving pinball machines. The NBA Fastbreak is the only basketball themed pinball machine by the masters of pinball. Recently Stern came out with an NBA pinball machine, but many view it as an inferior knock off.

This NBA Fastbreak has a very unique mechanical backbox where it shoots baskets while you play, and in one mode, you control the action of both the backbox and real game. Not many pinball machines use the backbox for anything else but score.

Additionally, this machine has dual scoring (pinball score and baskets), which make this one of the best multi-player pinball games ever. Typically, pinball machines are best played as single player, but have the option for up to 4 players. This machine plays BEST with more than one player. Of course it has all the great features of modern pinball such as multiple multi-ball modes and missions to accomplish. Play at around midnight each night for a completely awesome surprise and chance to score big points.

Fully restored to like-new condition.

Backbox: a couple paint blemishes but no damage at all. All corners are perfect.

Cabinet: no fade. There is a small chip in the center bottom where it appears the prior owner removed an aftermarket sticker improperly and nicked the cabinet. It will be un-noticeable when we paint match the issue. Also, there is a small chunk of wood missing under the right rear leg. It is completely covered with the leg on.

Playfield: literally perfect. Zero damage or wear. Even the inlane and outlanes look brand new. See pictures.

Only 4414 units were ever made and this gem as become very hard to find now that people are on to how great this machine is.

Restoration

This machine was generally in good condition when we purchased it, but it still had plenty of issues. Apparently the operator borrowed pieces from this machine to service another, so we had to re-purchase all of those parts to make it whole again. Sometimes, I wonder what they were thinking.

Full tear down and rebuild
All ramps flame polished
All new pop bumpers - these were destroyed
many new VUKs
new defender plastic
new slingshot plastic
new balls
new rubber in white
LED conversion
repair of backbox mechanism
replaced trough assembly
replaced slingshot assembly
repaired left ramp (around the back jam shot). This ramp is always cracked at the basket, and currently no new parts are available. When this ramp goes back into reproduction, this game will be flawless.
repaired scoring LED circuit
repaired various optos in the player-pass mechanisms
refinished coindoor with new lock
new legs and hardware