Bally Cirqus Voltaire

Price: $7,195.00 - SOLD - Manufacturer: Bally Date Produced: November, 1997 Units Produced: Less than 3,000 (low production) Design: John Popadiuk Software: Cameron Silver Art: Linda Deal Mechanics: Jack Skalon Music: Rob Berry, Dave Zabriskie Animation/Graphics: Adam Rhine, Brian Morris TRIVIA: Cirqus Voltaire was the only game to feature it's dot-matrix score display on the playfield rather than in its traditional location on the backbox. It was also one of the few "modern" games to feature backbox "animation" with a bouncing ball and scoring devices built in to the backbox.

Page Contents:

1. Game Description
2. Game Condition Details
3. Game Images
4. Game Sales Information

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Game Description:

Cirqus Voltaire captures the magic and mystery of the circus: high-voltage excitement sure to captivate and delight players of all skill levels from eight to eighty!

This game is another hit designed by Bally's famous designer John Popadiuk, who designed such other popular classics as Theatre of Magic, World Cup Soccer, and Star Wars: Episode 1.

Cirqus Voltaire features electrifying performances by acrobats and jugglers, highwire artists and delightful trained animals are just part of an afternoon in this magical world. Have some popcorn, see the BallyHoo sideshows and discover the thrills, splendor and excitement of the circus as the Ringmaster challanges you to see all the Cirqus Marvels!

Fire the cannon, juggle multiball modes, and battle the crazed ringmaster as he pops up from the playfield to capture your ball. Stand in the center ring as dazzling lights, sounds and non-stop action charge the playfield with excitement!

Light up the Cirqus, Unmask Voltaire and then Join the Cirqus, a sensational multi-level wizard mode with the most spectacular grand finale ever seen !

Neon lights, brilliant colors and an interactive backglass draw players to the game and the innovative gameplay and spectacular graphics capture them in a mystical circus atmosphere. With a wide open playfield, easy to understand rules for beginners, a large number of play modes and challenging multiballs for pinball magicians, Cirqus Voltaire has something for everyone!


Game Play: Where do we start? There's so much fun stuff to do on this game- it is literally packed with toys, gadgets, gizmos, and accompanied by great sounds, music, speech, and lighting effects!

This game features gadgets such as:

• Two, Three, and FOUR ball Multiball(TM) modes!
• The disappearing "Boom Balloon" pop bumper!
• Magnets that stop the ball dead in its tracks!
• An elevating Ringmaster who catches balls on his head and rises up out of the playfield to challenge you through all the modes!
• A working "cannon" kicker in the backbox that fires a ball and gives you a chance at "Circus Luck"!
• ... and much, much more!

Shoot the "WOW" targets behind the Ringmaster, then watch as he magically stops the ball and rises up out of the playfield, holding the ball on his head! The Ringmaster throws the ball at you and you must hit him five times to make him raise up further out of the playfield, then shoot under him to defeat him! But you're not done- there are more Ringmasters to follow and you must defeat all of them to play the "wizard" mode and join the circus!

Watch as the Boom Balloon pop bumper shoots up from under the playfield to join in the action! A shot at the Boom Balloon fires the Cannon in the backbox! But shoot fast- the Boom Balloon soon disappears back under the playfield!

This game is one of the most beautiful, fun, and challenging games ever designed by Bally, and even though the multitude of rules and modes on this game will be more than enough to keep you busy, the game play is fun and straightforward enough to be entertaining and fun for any players, regardless of skill and age. These are the true signs of a well-designed pinball, and we're sure after a game or two, you'll agree!

Overall, it's no wonder why this game is such a classic. With so many fun things to do on the game, it will surely keep you entertained and always coming back for more!

• We have logged just over 50 hours in the restoration of this game.
• Playfield top and bottom surfaces stripped of parts and assemblies for proper cleaning- right down to the bare wood and paint. Playfield surface hand cleaned, hand polished, and hand waxed with top-quality Carnauba wax.
• All playfield parts have been removed and hand cleaned, or replaced with brand new parts where necessary. This includes light bulbs, posts, ramps, pop bumpers, wireform ball guides, flipper assemblies, under-playfield ramps, target banks, bumper assemblies, lamp PC boards, ball trough and associated parts, and any other parts that are installed on the playfield.
• All metal parts removed from playfield have been hand cleaned and polished for original bright shiny finish.
• Main ramp has been removed and fully disassembled into all of it's individual parts (including wiring hardness and switches/plugs removed) for proper cleaning. Ramp cleaned, polished, and all associated hardware and accessory parts cleaned, polished, and reassembled.
• Both under-playfield plastic ramps removed and fully disassembled/cleaned just like main ramp on top of playfield.
• Disappearing Ringmaster assembly completely removed from game and 100% disassembled, cleaned, and reassembled. Even wiring, magnet, lamp, switches, and Ringmaster rubber head were removed/cleaned.
• "Boom Balloon" disappearing pop bumper assembly completely removed from game and 100% disassembled, cleaned, and reassembled. Coil, bracket, and wiring inside bumper was even removed, cleaned, and replaced. New skirt and bumper body installed and wiring replaced with brand new wires for added reliability (worn/broken wires on this unit are a common problem on Cirqus Voltaire games).
• Ringmaster "Spell WOW" decal has been replaced with brand new decal, and has had a layer of protective mylar applied over it to protect it against wear from the ball.
• All playfield plastic posts cleaned by hand with detergent and brush to remove any wax, dirt, grime, or leftover cleaner. They once again look like new!
• All three pop bumper assemblies on this game were removed, 100% disassembled, cleaned, and reassembled. Any worn or broken parts replaced with brand new parts.
• Both flipper assemblies completely removed, 100% disassembled, cleaned, and rebuilt with brand new factory-original parts, and reassembled. Brand new original Williams flipper coils installed. Flippers tuned and adjusted.
• All new rubber rings installed on playfield.
• All light bulbs on top and bottom of playfield, in backbox, and on coin door removed, cleaned, and replaced. Brand new light bulbs used as replacements for old worn, discolored, or burned out bulbs and flasher bulbs.
• All light bulb inserts (or "lenses") in playfield surface cleaned and polished for maximum shine and light penetration.
• Brand new chrome steel pinballs installed in game (game uses four total).
• Playfield flat plastics (screened artwork) all removed, cleaned, polished, and replaced. Slingshot bumper plastics, Skill Shot plastic, and large plastic around Ringmaster all replaced with brand new original replacement pieces!
• Skill Shot plastic replaced with brand new crack-free piece, and custom protective wireform installed around perimeter of plastic to prevent any cracks or breaks from airborne balls. (This plastic is usually broken on all Cirqus Voltaire games).
• Fender washers installed under top and bottom edges of brand new slingshot bumper plastics to protect them from cracking/breaking from airborne balls.
• Factory upgrade kit assembly installed in game. This kit was originally available from Bally/Williams when the game was produced and includes parts that were installed which resolve problem spots where balls could hang up, and changes to the Ringmaster assembly to avoid potential damage to switches under the playfield. (Documentation for kit is included with game, for completeness.)
• Standup targets on playfield have all had their foam backing removed and replaced with brand new foam rubber for added durability and good looks.
• Score and instruction cards have both been reproduced for clean clear looks, and hard-laminated for durability, and to prevent against damage in the future- these look great!
• Both slingshot bumper assemblies have been fully rebuilt. Detector switches on both bumpers removed and hand-cleaned with tarnish remover for nice bright brass shine!
• Inside and outside of main cabinet and backbox completely stripped of parts, cleaned, parts individually hand cleaned, and reassembled.
• Coin door completely removed and 100% disassembled. All parts (including wiring harness and switches) individually cleaned and detailed by hand and reassembled. Coin door metal parts professionally repainted and refinished for that brand new "day one" look! Fully working quarter coin mechanisms installed in coin door and tested for proper operation/adjustment.
• Playfield glass lockdown bar and latch assembly completely removed, cleaned, and reassembled. New decal for number of balls installed on latch assembly. Brand new strip of insulating foam rubber applied to underside of lockdown bar.
• Legs completely cleaned and polished for a high shine. Brand new leg levelers and nuts installed on all four legs.
• Leg bolts cleaned, polished, and reinstalled.
• Any cabinet scratches or nicks touched up, and repainted, where necessary.
• All electronics (PC boards) in backbox checked and tested for proper operation and good looks (no burned connectors, etc.)
• Remote-mount battery holder installed for MPU board in backbox (See image below). This prevents damage to the valuable MPU board from accidental battery discharge or leakage, which can destroy the board. Batteries are now mounted off-board and risk of damage is eliminated. Brand new fresh batteries installed.
• Playfield glass replaced with brand new scratch-free sheet of tempered safety glass.
• Animated backglass assembly fully removed, diassembled, and all parts cleaned/replaced. "Cannon" ball kicker assembly has been modified/upgraded to be stronger and avoid breaking in the future. (This unit is commonly cracked or broken on most Cirqus Voltaire games). We remove any cracked or damaged plastic under the kicker coil and install a new piece of high-strength polycarbonate plastic under the coil and re-mount the kicker assembly to it. This prevents cracks and breaks and other damage to the valuable plastic insert inside the backbox.
• Backglass removed and glass cleaned/polished (both sides). Molding pieces cleaned and reassembled. All light bulbs and flasher lamps replaced with new bulbs.

• NOS Slingshot bumper plastics.
• NOS Skill Shot plastic.
• NOS Ringmaster plastic.
• NOS Upgrade Kit Assembly #A-22270 (details above)
• NOS original Williams flipper coils installed.
• NOS flipper rebuild kit- including flipper assembly parts, and associated hardware.
• NOS flipper buttons.
• Brand new leg levelers and nuts.
• New set of leg protector pads to protect cabinet corners.
• Brand new sheet of tempered safety glass over playfield.
• Brand new full set of rubber rings.
• Brand new light bulbs, and shiny new balls.
• Brand new "Spell WOW" decal on top of Ringmaster assembly.
• New remote-mount battery kit with quick-disconnect connector installed.
• New long-life batteries installed in backbox for memory-retention.
• New price and instruction cards- hard-laminated for great looks and protection.
• Chart in bottom of main cabinet hard-laminated for protection.
• New plunger barrel spring.

• This machine has had it's software upgraded to the latest home game ROM revision L2.00H
• Protective fender washers added under slingshot plastics to protect against damage.
• Protective fender washer added on post next to Skill Shot target to prevent damage to delicate plastic over it.
• Custom-made protective wireform added around front perimiter of brand new Skill Shot plastic to prevent damage from airborne balls (common problem on Cirqus Voltaire games).
• "Cannon" kicker in backbox modified and upgraded to strengthen mounting for the kicker coil. Prevents damage and stress cracks to the fragile plastic backbox insert.
• Remote-mount battery holder for MPU board added in backbox. Includes quick-disconnect for easy MPU board removal from the game, if ever needed.
• Bally/Williams factory Upgrade Kit Assembly (part #A-22270) installed which adds parts to many spots on the playfield to prevent ball hang-ups and modification to the Ringmaster assembly to prevent potential damage to switches on the assembly.
• Score and instruction cards on playfield have been laminated to prevent damage to them.
• Technical chart in bottom of main cabinet has been removed, reproduced, laminated, and reinstalled for a fresh appearance that is protected against dirt, wear, and tear. As you may know, most of these charts have been soiled, torn, or even removed from most games- this one is present and now in better-than-new condition!

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Game Images:

Playfield:

Thumbnail (Click to enlarge)	Description
	Overall view- fully restored!
	Playfield being reassembled after full tear-down and cleaning/polishing.
	Nearly fully assembled.
	A little thanks from the creators! You'll only see this if your Cirqus Voltaire game has been properly stripped down and cleaned!
	Under-playfield. Note cleaned/polished ramps and fully cleaned and rebuilt Ringmaster unit.
	Under-playfield. Fully cleaned and reassembled, including rebuilt flippers, slingshots, pop bumpers, and all other assemblies and parts!
	Playfield detail.
	Closeup of Ringmaster area. Note brand new decal on top of Ringmaster.
	Closeup of "Boom Balloon" disappearing pop bumper! Fully rebuilt with new parts and modified to work better than new!
	Detail- brand new plastic piece over Skill Shot target. This plastic is usually broken on every Cirqus Voltaire game, and can be very hard to find as a new replacement. We've replaced it, and modified it by adding a protective wireform around the front edge of the whole plastic! (Indicated by green arrows in image to the left.) This prevents damage to the valuable plastic from airborne balls.
	Detail- lower left slingshot bumper. Both slingshot plastics have been replaced with brand new factory original pieces!

Cabinet:

Thumbnail (Click to enlarge)	Description
	Overall view.
	Right side.
	Left side.
	Front, and coin door.
	Cabinet interior- fully cleaned and restored. Note chart in bottom of cabinet- custom hard-laminated to prevent damage and/or stains!

Backbox:

	Overall view- front and right sides.
	Left side.
	Front- backglass.
	... and fully assembled, ready to go back in game!

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Like all pinballs we sell, this machine also comes complete with fully functional coin door & mechanisms with all parts present and working, and game manual and schematics (wiring diagrams) for this game.

For our local customers, this game also includes