Zarza

Zarza is a solid-state electronic pinball machine from Taito do Brasil, produced in 1982, with a fantasy theme evocative of Bally's 1980 'Xenon' and comparable to LTD's 1982 'Zephy.' It was also produced under Fipermatic's branding as their own 'Zarza,' though records conflict on which company originated the design.

Gameplay-wise, Zarza features two flippers and four pop bumpers for fast-paced action, plus two slingshots that can launch the ball in unpredictable directions. Four rollover buttons allow players added control, while two kick-out holes send balls off in new trajectories. Two standup targets and a 4-bank drop target offer scoring opportunities, along with a spinning target for an added element of surprise. A right ramp sends the ball through a clear elevated tube to a left-side lane, and a 2-ball multiball mode challenges players to juggle both balls at once.

The fantasy theme of Zarza is set off by blue caps over the playfield lights, giving the machine a futuristic appeal. Little is known about the game's designer or artistic influences, but as one of several Brazilian-made pinballs from Taito do Brasil's catalog, it remains an interesting subject for collectors tracing the company's regional output.