Uploaded July 2021 | Updated September 2026, 5 hours ago
Here's a 1977 Zaccaria Universe pinball machine in action for your viewing pleasure. Coincidentally, I've had two Zaccaria machines in the shop back-to-back this month.
This machine has some interesting features, even though gameplay is somewhat underwhelming. The three "Special" targets aren't true special targets, in that they don't award a free game. Instead, when lit, they score 30k points, which makes them the most lucrative targets to hit. Additionally, when lit, the targets advance the "extra ball" lights. Completing the extra ball triangle awards... an extra ball. The centre target advances these lights regardless of whether or not it's lit. The drop targets and saucer at the top of the playfield also advance the extra ball lights. This is a cool feature to chase, but, let me tell ya, it's not easy to get an extra ball. The drop targets, unfortunately, do not reset when they're all down and hitting the saucer is nearly impossible except off the initial plunge plunge. This feature also resets after each ball, so it's definitely challenging to complete.
Lighting each of the "special" targets can be done by completing the drops, advancing the bonus to 10k and by hitting the saucer 5 times (good luck with that one).
Zaccaria machines are almost always in excellent cosmetic condition and this example is no different. These import games sure did wear out a lot slower than the games made by the big North American manufacturers.
For more information on this machine, see here: ipdb.org/machine.cgi?id=2706
Here's a 1977 Zaccaria Universe pinball machine in action for your viewing pleasure. Coincidentally, I've had two Zaccaria machines in the shop back-to-back this month.
This machine has some interesting features, even though gameplay is somewhat underwhelming. The three "Special" targets aren't true special targets, in that they don't award a free game. Instead, when lit, they score 30k points, which makes them the most lucrative targets to hit. Additionally, when lit, the targets advance the "extra ball" lights. Completing the extra ball triangle awards... an extra ball. The centre target advances these lights regardless of whether or not it's lit. The drop targets and saucer at the top of the playfield also advance the extra ball lights. This is a cool feature to chase, but, let me tell ya, it's not easy to get an extra ball. The drop targets, unfortunately, do not reset when they're all down and hitting the saucer is nearly impossible except off the initial plunge plunge. This feature also resets after each ball, so it's definitely challenging to complete.
Lighting each of the "special" targets can be done by completing the drops, advancing the bonus to 10k and by hitting the saucer 5 times (good luck with that one).
Zaccaria machines are almost always in excellent cosmetic condition and this example is no different. These import games sure did wear out a lot slower than the games made by the big North American manufacturers.
For more information on this machine, see here: ipdb.org/machine.cgi?id=2706
