Space Game (7 card)

Space Game (7 card) is a rare and intriguing example of late 1970s solid-state electronic bingo pinball design. Manufactured by Recel S.A., a Spanish company active from 1974 to 1986, this 1979 machine features electronic controls typical of the era's transition from electromechanical to solid-state technology.

Gameplay is marked by an impressive array of 25 trap holes, which add an element of unpredictability to the player's experience. The remote unit connected to the machine allowed bartenders or operators to manage credits externally, making it a unique feature among pinball machines from this era. While it isn't known for certain whether this was an original factory installation or an aftermarket addition, its presence highlights the creative ways in which manufacturers attempted to integrate their games into commercial settings.

Recel produced two versions of Space Game, distinguished by their backglass design: this seven-card version and a companion one-card version. The playfield uses yellow numbers inside green boxes, and the backglass features a miniaturized image of the one-card game's backglass, possibly to capitalize on that game's customer recognition. For collectors and enthusiasts, Space Game represents an opportunity to experience a lesser-known corner of electronic pinball development, offering a glimpse into the early days of the industry's transition from electromechanical to solid-state technology.