Viza Manufacturing

Viza Manufacturing was a short-lived but distinctive presence in the pinball industry during the late 1970s. The company is primarily recognized for its 1978 release, "War," a unique, two-player, head-to-head cocktail table pinball machine. This design allowed for direct competition between players on a shared playfield, a departure from the era's more common upright cabinet style. Notably, "War" was produced in both electro-mechanical and solid-state versions, both of which incorporated digital score displays, indicating an early adoption of this technology. The game's artwork was derived from Frank Frazetta's painting "The Berserker," adding another layer of interest to this rare machine. 

​

In addition to "War," Viza Manufacturing also released "Fabulous 50's" in October 1979. This second title also utilized a two-player cocktail format and was produced under contract for Allied Leisure, suggesting a significant aspect of Viza's business model. Similar to other Allied Leisure cocktail games, "Fabulous 50's" featured LED digit segment displays. However, its release was ultimately canceled, making it an extremely rare find within the pinball collecting community. Evidence suggests that "Fabulous 50's" incorporated components from various manufacturers, possibly indicating Viza's role as an assembler. 

​

Viza Manufacturing's consistent use of the head-to-head cocktail table design set it apart in the pinball market, potentially aiming for home consumers or entertainment venues seeking space-efficient, multi-player options. Their early adoption of LED digital displays for scoring in both of their known games also showcased a forward-thinking approach to technology at the time. While their overall production numbers were limited, the unique format and technological choices of Viza's pinball machines have garnered attention from pinball enthusiasts and historians seeking to document the diverse innovations of the late 1970s.