Star

Meet Star, an intriguing addition to any pinball collection. Star is a conversion produced by Renov' Automatic - Jolux (trade name J. Martina), a French manufacturer active from 1968 to 1984. Rather than a new design, it is built from an unidentified existing 4-player replay game -- likely Gottlieb's 1964 'Ship-Mates' based on playfield imagery and backbox window placement -- refitted with new artwork and a music, singing, and women theme.

The gameplay on Star is characterized by its music-themed presentation, complete with flippers, pop bumpers, and slingshots typical of early-1960s EM layouts inherited from its source game. Its maximum displayed point score is 1,999 points per player -- a relatively modest ceiling by modern standards but typical for its era.

Several construction details are consistent with other J. Martina conversions: a paper backglass sandwiched between two sheets of glass, playfield underside painting similar to J. Martina's 'Viking', and a modified apron area for automatic ball serve. Notably, artist Jean Amiot -- who created much of J. Martina's artwork -- has confirmed he did not do the backglass art for Star, leaving its artist unknown. Its rarity and conversion history make it an intriguing curiosity for collectors of French EM pinball.