Exidy Circus vs Midway Clowns

I think at least one of those buttons might be the same. Here's mine. One looks like a dog's lightsaber, and the other is the same but black plastic. Black plastic knob in the middle. Screenshot_20230127-203302_Photos.jpg
 
The existing control panel on my Circus has the remains of red buttons, but the replacement I found for the restoration has green buttons. I've found both types when doing a search, it looks like they used whatever they could find.

Both of mine have the same type of plastic knob with no silver insert (it's just dirt on the old one)

Circus CP old.jpgCircus CP replacement.jpgCircus CP rep side.jpg
 
I am still looking for a good replacement for the 5K ohm pot under the spinner. Does anyone know a good replacement for these? The one I have on my machine now has a little skip when you go all the way to the left that is very irritating.
 
I am still looking for a good replacement for the 5K ohm pot under the spinner. Does anyone know a good replacement for these? The one I have on my machine now has a little skip when you go all the way to the left that is very irritating.
A standard 5k linear pot will work.
just buy a good one. dont cheap out On it.

sent from my iThing.
 
I finally got close to my Circus machine.
(And there was much rejoicing. Yaaay!)

The buttons are black and the knob is as I described before. There is an odd band around the bottom…it may have had a skirt originally. I put a quarter on top for scale.

pictures attached.
 

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So it looks like a lot of people have those 3/4 inch tall-boy buttons. I've got two different ones on my machine currently, but my other one had the short red ones you can still buy in any hardware store. I think I'll hold out and try to find a matching pair of the tall-boys. Anyone have a source for those?
 
And I just wanna reiterate what a hidden treasure this fucking game is. When I first discovered it, I honestly couldn't believe how fun it was. I thought it was just like any other game and that the newness would wear off. But it's still fun years later. And everyone I've talked to loves this game. A lot of times Simpler is better.
 
And I just wanna reiterate what a hidden treasure this fucking game is. When I first discovered it, I honestly couldn't believe how fun it was. I thought it was just like any other game and that the newness would wear off. But it's still fun years later. And everyone I've talked to loves this game. A lot of times Simpler is better.
It appears to me that whichever game you own, or are lucky enough to find, you can't go wrong. This coming from someone who has never owned either game!
 
I have an Exidy Circus and absolutely love it! But it has some indefensible bounces at the left side (kinda like the Pong corner shot) and it's infuriating when it happens.

I don't think I've ever played Clowns...but I keep hoping to find one to check those edge shots. If every bounce is playable I could do a grudging swap.

Circus bezel art is a clear winner though! Depressed penguins and clowns? Classic!!!
Clowns has the same 'unreturnable' corner shots.
 
5 different manufacturers. Damn.
Exidy, Taito, Midway, Sega, Universal.

I mean there are certainly more Pong variants, but those are not going to be licensed.
 
If any of you are hunting for a copy of clowns I have one I would part with for $375
 

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German manufacturer "Video Games Lich GmbH" had a version called "Jumpers". Available as an upright, cocktail, and wall game. The boardset is pretty similar to the Exidy PCB, but is manufactured by Video Games Lich. May be unlicensed.

Jumpers UR_VGL.jpegJumpers_Wand_VGL.jpg

Also, Mirco Games (who had a german subsidiary at the time) apparently introduced a game called "Zircus" at the IMA trade show in Berlin in early 1978. Given the title and the year, it might be a another clone of Clowns/etc. No idea if it was ever released.
From Cash Box magazine 5-27-1978:
MircoZircusCashbox5-27-1978.png
 
5 different manufacturers. Damn.
Exidy, Taito, Midway, Sega, Universal.

I mean there are certainly more Pong variants, but those are not going to be licensed.
Don't forget about Nichibutsu's Bonpa and Irem's Nyankoro
 
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