Racer's

The Racer, manufactured by Playmatic of Barcelona, Spain in 1968, was one of the company's earliest pinball releases. As an electro-mechanical (EM) game, it reflects the design conventions of its era, built around a straightforward sports/auto-racing theme.

Key to the Racer's playability are its two flippers, three pop bumpers, two slingshots, three bullseye targets, a rollover button, and a horseshoe lane. Its standout feature is a mechanical backbox animation in which a miniature race car moves along a circular track in tandem with the game's progress, adding a visually engaging element to the playfield action. Players can score up to a maximum displayed 9,999 points.

The cabinet has a wedge-head shape, and each side rail includes a built-in cigarette holder, a detail reflecting the smoking culture common in public venues during the late 1960s. Notably, the backglass shows an apostrophe in the game's name, while the playfield, cabinet interior, and score card all omit it. As an early Playmatic title, the Racer offers a glimpse into the beginnings of this Spanish manufacturer's decades-long run in the pinball industry.