Paraiso

Paraiso, manufactured by Petaco, S.A. of Madrid in 1967, is a rare example of an electro-mechanical pinball machine from Spain. It reflects the broader global spread of pinball manufacturing during the 1960s, as companies outside the United States began producing their own machines.

The gameplay is typical for EM machines of its time, with two players attempting to score points across various playfield targets. Its standout feature is a mechanical backbox animation of a hula girl dancing, tied to its Hawaii theme, which adds a distinctive charm to the machine. IPDB notes that Paraiso's backglass appears to be a copy of the one used on Gottlieb's 1965 'Paradise,' though only a backglass has been documented and further pictures would be needed to confirm how closely the playfield and artwork match.

Paraiso's Hawaiian theme stands out among the more common American settings found on pinball machines of the period. With limited surviving documentation, it remains an intriguing find for collectors seeking rare examples of Spanish pinball manufacturing.