Mata Hari (pinball)

Mata Hari is a pinball machine created by Bally Manufacturing in 1977 and released in 1978. The theme of the game is based on Dutch exotic dancer, Mata Hari.[1] It was mainly produced using solid-state electronics but also 170 electro-mechanical versions were released.[2] It was the last model manufactured by Bally in two such versions. [3] Approximately 20 sample games were produced with a plastic playfield, instead of the traditional wooden playfield.[4]

Mata Hari
ManufacturerBally Manufacturing
Release dateApril, 1978
DesignJim Patla
ArtworkDave Christensen
Production run16,260

Description

The design noticeably consists of mainly dark, red and gold color artwork and a prominent image of a dagger running up the middle.[3][5] A dagger is also depicted on the backglass in the hand of Mata Hari. One version is blank and one shows an inscription with the motto of the Nazi German SS "Meine Ehre heißt Treue" (German, "My honor is loyalty"). Mata Hari died during World War I therefore the inscription is an anachronism.[4] Contrary to a popular belief, the version with inscription is not more rare than the one without. There were about equal numbers of both versions of backglasses made.[6]

The game has chimes as it was designed before electronic sounds were used. [6] The table features two flippers, four pop bumpers, two slingshots, two four-bank drop targets and one kick-out hole.[7] The machines makes use of a MPU 2518-17 circuit and an AS2518-18 power supply.[3]

Gameplay

The game allows up to four players.[8] The table has a completely symmetric playfield layout. The machine has a simple straight-forward rule set that offers a challenge to beginners and advanced players.[5] Basically, there are three goals to accomplish: knock down the drop targets, complete the A-B combination a certain number of times and land in the kickout hole multiple times.[6] The rules in detail are the following: Making ‘A’ and ‘B’ top rollover lanes or left and right ‘A’ and ‘B’ orbits scores and advances ‘A-B’ lit value which is displayed in the centre of the playfield. Landing the ball in the top kickout hole first time scores 3K points, advances bonus value 3 places, lights 2x bonus multiplier and lights left outlane for 50K points. Second time lights right outlane for 50K points and 3x bonus multiplier. Third time lights 5x bonus multiplier. Knocking down all drop targets scores 50K points and lights target special light.[2] A replay is available for making ‘A’ and ‘B’ when lit for special and another +50K for all target down when lit for special. There is a limit of one extra ball per ball in play, with mystery scores collected for each one earned hereafter. [8]

References
  1. Shalhoub, Michael. The Pinball Compendium: 1970 to 1981. Schiffer Publishing, Limited. p. 123. ISBN 978-0764320743.
  2. Rossignoli, Marco. The Complete Pinball Book: Collecting the Game and Its History. Schiffer Publishing, Limited. p. 91. ISBN 9780764337857.
  3. "Bally Mata Hari". Home.arcor.de. Archived from the original on 2016-03-04. Retrieved 2016-03-30.
  4. "Internet Pinball Machine Database: Data East 'Matar Hari'". Retrieved 27 June 2014.
  6. "Pinball Restoration: Mata Hari". Thepinballfix.com. Retrieved 2016-03-30.
  7. "Mata Hari". Stevechannel.com. Retrieved 2016-03-30.
  8. "Locator - Pinball New York City". Pinballnyc.com. Retrieved 2016-03-30.
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