POP 4000

The POP 4000 is a rare and intriguing electro-mechanical pinball machine manufactured by Bill Port of Madrid, Spain, that has managed to evade detailed documentation, leaving much of its history shrouded in mystery. As one of the relatively few known examples of Spanish-made pinball production, it holds significance for pinball historians and enthusiasts seeking to uncover lesser-known stories of the industry. It shares its playfield layout with Port's own 'Pop 3000' (albeit with different artwork), and the overall layout is similar to Bally's 1969 'Op-Pop-Pop' — except that, unlike the Bally game, POP 4000 includes pop bumpers.

From a gameplay perspective, the POP 4000 offers a unique experience with its distinctive set of features. The presence of two flippers, three pop bumpers, five mushroom bumpers, and two slingshots creates an engaging challenge for players, while the kick-out hole and left outlane kickback add an extra layer of complexity to the gameplay dynamics. The machine's wedge-head cabinet is typical of the era's Spanish-made pinball machines.

The backglass depicts two male scuba divers — one carrying a large butterfly net, the other a camera — encountering a somewhat surprised or distressed bikini-clad woman on the ocean floor who is without scuba gear, tying directly into the machine's Scuba Diving - Swimming theme. Beyond these details, further research is needed to fully understand POP 4000's context and significance within the pinball community.