This is my latest indulgence, a Cirqus Voltaire game by Bally. I have wanted this
game for quite some time, and was presented with the opportunity to acquire a premium
specimen, so I had to go for it. Check out the pictures at the Action Pinball site,
this is the place I bought the machine from, and they have some pretty good pictures,
as well as decent descriptions.. This was acquired on October 1, 2001.
The
circus theme is carried throughout the game, and your objectives are all associated
to the circus: A Highwire act, Jugglers, Acrobats, Wild animal tamers, along with
various Sideshow oddities. These are all overseen by The Ringmaster, in the form
of a large head, with green skin and blue hair that rises up out of the playfield
and taunts you!
This game features a couple of 'disappearing' targets, one
is the Ringmaster, and also the game has a retractable pop bumper ('BOOM' balloon),
to make things more interesting. This game has EIGHT multiball modes, and has an
impressive number of objectives to shoot for during game play.. This is also the
only game produced that moved the Dot Matrix Display down to the playfield level.
It has a lot of neat animations that the player can see and appreciate without diverting
his eyes too far from the playfield action.
Cirqus
Voltaire backglass
Notice that the score display is not in the backbox. This
is the only game in which
the display was moved to playfield level, for better
integration with game play.
The backbox does have moving parts however: There
is a 'Cannon Ball' that is fired off
at certain times during the game. So it's
not just a pretty picture!
Here
is the playfield. It's very busy looking, with a lot to look at and
a lot
of different shots to make. The neon tube is really neat, and during a
certain
mode, that's the only thing lighting the playfield!
This is the Ringmaster. This is the main 'toy' on the playfield.
One
object of the game is to 'defeat' all four Ringmasters to earn the
center marvel
on the marvel grid.
The Ringmaster plays a part in the 'wizard mode' too
A couple of detail shots. On the left is the Menagerie Ball and Cage. This is where the animals are tamed. Shooting the ball around the captive yellow ball to hit necessary targets can be quite a challenge! The right image shows the Juggler area, which is in the upper-left corner of the playfield.
Here is the grid, which shows which 'marvels' you have achieved during the game. If you can achieve all nine marvels, thus lighting the letters 'CIRQUS', you have a chance to Join the Cirqus which is a multi-level mode that requires quite a bit of skill (and luck). Just achieving all nine marvels is tricky!
Here's a full-length shot of the machine. Fits nicely with my High Roller Casino.
And finally, the cabinet. I'll have to also include a shot of the side of the backbox
eventually.. It's a very cool looking machine (IMHO)!
For more pictures of this specific machine, go the the Action Pinball website. This is where I bought the machine, and he has a lot of good pictures and very complete descriptions here.