The Best Space Time

The Best Space Time, manufactured by Skillgame (doing business as Renato Montanari Giochi, trade name R.M.G.) of Bologna, Italy, is a rare electro-mechanical machine and, notably, a copy of Bensa's 1973 'Space Time.' Its exact production date is unknown, but given its origin as a clone, it likely dates to 1973 or later rather than pinball's earlier EM years. Little else is documented about this game, and one surviving example even has 'Bensa' printed on its playfield, suggesting it may have been sold as a conversion kit built from leftover parts of the original game.

The gameplay experience features a range of classic electro-mechanical elements, including two flippers, three pop bumpers, two slingshots, four standup targets, and two sets of 4-bank drop targets. An up-post between the flippers adds an extra level of challenge, while a gate in the right outlane directs the ball into the inlane, eliminating the traditional left outlane altogether. This combination of features makes each play distinctive.

The wedge head backbox and outer-space theme round out the machine's design. As Federico Croci, an Italian collector, has explained, companies like Skillgame would buy components from the same supplier as a successful game's original manufacturer and rebrand them, often adding "The Best" to the backglass -- which explains this game's unusual naming and its close resemblance to Bensa's original.