The Fiery 30's

The Fiery 30, produced by Recel S.A. of Madrid, Spain in 1974, is an intriguing example of Spanish electro-mechanical (EM) pinball design with a Cops and Robbers theme. This four-player machine's most distinctive element is its innovative use of gates above each flipper inlane, which control whether the ball feeds the inlane or the outlane and allow players to strategically manage their game.

The gameplay features are a testament to its unique design. Players navigate the ball through a layout of two flippers, two pop bumpers, two slingshots, three standup targets, two spinning targets, and two vari-targets, with an end-of-ball bonus rounding out the scoring. When the game starts, both inlane gates are open, blocking the inlanes and leaving the outlanes exposed to drains. Hitting the top or middle rollover on either side closes that side's gate, blocking the outlane and routing the ball safely to the inlane - and a ball rolling through an inlane opens its gate again. The two gates operate independently, adding a layer of strategy and tension to every ball.

Little information is available on the game's designer, but pinball enthusiasts will appreciate the machine's clever geometry and the chance to experience 1970s Spanish EM design firsthand. With a maximum displayed point score of 99,990 points per player, The Fiery 30 offers a fun and challenging play session. A two-player version of the same design was released as Recel's 1974 'Bang! Bang!'.