Big Brave

Big Brave is a rare and enigmatic electro-mechanical pinball machine from Maquinas Recreativas Sociedad Anonima (Maresa), a lesser-known Spanish manufacturer. Unfortunately, its exact production year remains a mystery, leaving enthusiasts to speculate about its place in the history of pinball. Despite this lack of clarity, Big Brave is an intriguing artifact that showcases the evolution of early pinball design.

The machine's gameplay features two flippers, two pop bumpers, and two slingshots, which allowed players to navigate the playfield with a degree of complexity not seen before in its time. The presence of three star rollovers, standup targets, a 5-bank drop target, and a vari-target added variety to the gameplay experience. A notable aspect of Big Brave is its unique cabinet design, which features a drop-down front, creating an immersive environment for players.

The American West theme, while not uncommon in pinball, adds to the machine's charm, transporting players to the dusty trails and lawless towns of the Wild West. The game closely follows the layout of Gottlieb's 1974 'Big Brave,' though its card holder uses a Bally-style design and its playfield glass raises up in the manner of pre-1974 Bally machines - an unusual mix that hints at Maresa borrowing design cues from more than one American manufacturer. Little is known about the machine's designer or any interesting trivia surrounding its creation, but its rarity and mystique add to its allure for collectors and enthusiasts.