Barron Games New Foosball Table Sports Electronics And Glass Playfield Cover

BUFFALO, NY -- The amusement machine manufacturer that has earned a stellar reputation for innovating air hockey is now applying its creative know-how to foosball. With the introduction of World Tour Foosball, Barron Games is aiming to expand the presence of table soccer, a classic coin-op sport, in family entertainment centers and street sites.

The new foosball table includes several features that make it appealing to FECs, as well as traditional locations like taverns and sports bars. World Tour Foosball's distinguishing feature is a completely enclosed and lighted playfield. Tempered glass protects the playfield and keeps balls from bouncing out, while LED lights illuminate it. Balls are delivered and released into play by a pneumatic mechanism, under the playfield. Scores are displayed on an LED board. Lighting and sound effects enhance the action.

"We are taking barebones foosball and making it friendly for FECs, arcades and street locations," said Barron Games chief executive Greg Bacorn. "This is a table that can be placed on the main floor of an FEC amid other games. It fits well anywhere."

Most soccer tables on the market are designed for competitive players familiar with the sport. Barron's table adds a few bells and whistles that can make it stand out on bustling FEC floors -- and hopefully attract a new generation of players.

Although Barron's World Tour Foosball automates some functions under the protective glass, the table retains the conventional eight-unit rod and men assemblies for authentic two- or four-player matches.

The table measures 55" L. x 36" H. x 30" W., weighs 300 lbs. and ships with a dual-coin comparator. Its cabinet is made of premium woods, and Barron can create and apply custom graphics. The company customized a table for Facebook, which often installs foosball games in its employee lounges.

Bacorn believes it's a great time for the amusement industry to increase its deployment of soccer tables, which can capitalize on the worldwide popularity of the real sport. "World Tour Foosball is themed to all the excitement surrounding soccer," he said, "especially in the U.S., where the women's national team won the FIFA Women's World Cup Champion this year."