Cirqus Voltaire

Name: Cirqus Voltaire
Brand: Bally Manufacturing Co.
Rating: 85 (4 reviews)

Updated September 2026

Bally Manufacturing Co.1997|Pinside IPDB

85/100

Fun Score

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Cirqus Voltaire Full Tutorial

Complete strategy guide with tips, modes, and scoring breakdown

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Game Info

Cirqus Voltaire, designed by John Popadiuk and released by Bally in 1997, is a pinball machine that stands out for its unique and vibrant circus-themed gameplay. The game features a distinctive neon light along the right-hand ramp and a pop bumper that rises from the middle of the playfield, adding to its visual appeal. The central gameplay element is the Ringmaster, a taunting head that emerges from the playfield, challenging players to hit it to progress. Players must complete nine marvels, such as Juggler Multiball and Ringmaster Frenzie, to ultimately "Join the Cirqus" and activate the wizard mode.

Game type: Solid State

Display type: LCD

Players: 4

MPU: Williams WPC-95

Model: 50062

Manufactured: 1997-01-01

Production: 2,704 units

Tags:Carnival,Circus,90s,Original Theme

Also made as

The same machine, made under a different name by a different manufacturer — licensed copies, conversion kits, and re-releases.

Name	Manufacturer	Year
Cirqus Voltaire (Classic)	American Pinball	2026-09-01
Cirqus Voltaire (Ringmaster)	American Pinball	2026-09-01

Game Info

Design Team

Design: Cameron Silver, John Popadiuk
Art: Linda Deal
Software: Cameron Silver
Mechanics: Louis Toy, Jack Skalon
Animation: Adam Rhine, Brian Morris
Music: Rob Berry, Dave Zabriskie
Sound: Rob Berry
Callouts: Jon Hey, Cameron Silver, Rob Berry, Cathy Schenkelberg
Concept: John Popadiuk

Design Team

Rules

Hit the WOW targets in the top right to raise the Ringmaster, then hit him 5 times to defeat him. A free multiball is given for the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th defeats; defeating 4 Ringmasters is the most time-consuming requirement for Join the Cirqus wizard mode.
The left ramp gives progress toward two different multiballs: hitting the standup targets on either side of the ramp lights locks for Highwire Multiball, while shots to the unlit ramp progress towards Strike an Arc Multiball.
Two further multiballs are potentially available at the left orbit: Juggler Multiball for repeated left shots, or Neon Multiball from the Side Show mystery award. The latter is lit by hitting standup targets on either side of the Ringmaster.
Completing the 9 “Marvel” tasks shown near the flippers qualifies Join the Cirqus wizard mode. Marvels are earned by playing Highwire and Juggler Multiballs, defeating all 4 Ringmasters, and making repeated shots to features like the right orbit, Menagerie ball, and right spinner.