Nairobi

Meet Nairobi, a rare electro-mechanical pinball machine from 1966. Manufactured by Maquinas Recreativas Sociedad Anonima (Maresa) of Madrid, Spain, this game shares its playfield design with Gottlieb's 1964 'North Star,' adapted here with a hunting-safari theme for the Spanish market.

Nairobi's gameplay features are a testament to its era, with two flippers, five pop bumpers, two passive bumpers, and two slingshots working in tandem to create an immersive hunting-safari experience. The machine's backglass illumination, featuring African wildlife, adds a vibrant touch to the proceedings. Notably, Nairobi boasts two kick-out holes and can display up to 1,999 points on its wedge head backbox. These mechanical components, combined with the machine's distinctive theme, make it an attractive find for collectors and enthusiasts seeking out EM pinball machines produced outside the major American manufacturers.

Unfortunately, little is known about Nairobi's designer or any specific events in its history. However, its rarity and its status as a Spanish reworking of a Gottlieb design make it a fascinating piece of machinery that deserves attention from those who appreciate the art of vintage pinball design and craftsmanship.