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Alive Pinball Machine by Brunswick - $300 (Endicott)
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The Alive pinball machine is a real, vintage 1978 home-model pinball game made by Brunswick. It’s a collectible piece—often affordable—and known for its quirky pseudo‑Elvis artwork and simple solid‑state gameplay.
Below is a clear, structured breakdown so you can quickly understand what it is, what makes it unique, and what it typically sells for.
🎯 What Alive (Brunswick, 1978) Actually Is
Manufacturer: Brunswick Manufacturing Co.
Year: 1978
Type: Solid-state, home model (not commercial coin‑op)
Players: 4
Theme: Music-themed; originally intended to be Elvis Presley, but Brunswick couldn’t secure rights.
Result: An Elvis‑like character with a Tom Jones–style haircut on the backglass.
🕹️ Gameplay & Features
Flippers: 2
Pop bumpers: 1
Slingshots: 2
Standup targets: 3
Spinning targets: 3
Unique feature: A special “flipper” in the outhole area that flips the drained ball back to the shooter lane—unusual for home models.
Display: 6‑digit electronic scoring
Sound: Simple electronic tones
💵 Typical Market Value (2023–2025 Sales)
From Pinpedia’s tracked sales:
Typical: $200–$500
High: ~$515
These prices make Alive one of the more affordable vintage pinball machines—great for beginners or collectors who enjoy oddball 70s home units.
🖼️ Collectible Artwork & Parts
The Elvis‑style backglass is a popular collectible on its own.
Example listings show backglasses selling from $39.99 to $279.99 depending on condition.
Replacement rubber kits and cleaning kits are still available through pinball parts sellers.
🧰 Who Made It & Why It Exists
Brunswick—better known for bowling equipment—briefly entered the home pinball market (1976–1980).
Alive was one of their later models, released October 1978.
It was also sold through Sears under model number 440.26316.