- ipdb.corporate_entity_name
- Melchers Automatenbau KG
- ipdb_id
- 5613
- ipdb.image_urls
- ["https://www.ipdb.org/images/5613/image-3.jpg","https://www.ipdb.org/images/5613/image-1.jpg","https://www.ipdb.org/images/5613/image-2.jpg","https://www.ipdb.org/images/5613/image-4.jpg","https://www.ipdb.org/images/5613/image-6.jpg","https://www.ipdb.org/images/5613/image-5.jpg","https://www.ipdb.org/images/5613/image-7.jpg","https://www.ipdb.org/images/5613/image-8.jpg","https://www.ipdb.org/images/5613/image-9.jpg","https://www.ipdb.org/images/5613/image-10.png"]
- ipdb.notable_features
- This is a wall-mounted game with a vertical playfield. No flippers in the traditional sense, but each of the two springs that form the bottom edge of the playfield has a kicker post below it that is attached to a coil behind the playfield. The playfield has gates that open. Score reel scoring.
There is no gap between the "flipper" springs. The ball can drain only via the left and right outlanes.
There is no outhole.
Extra balls and replays are awarded.
- ipdb.notes
- We previously listed the manufacturer as Aisch & Melchers KG, of Bochum, West Germany. Pictured in this listing is a sticker affixed to the game showing the correct manufacturer.
No date was evident on this game but the Service Instruction Manual shows two years, 1972 and 1973. It appears to state in German that approximately 1500 units were constructed as of mid-December 1972. This suggests that the production run was not complete if it extended into 1973.
We asked Martin Wiest if the ball rests on the springs (flippers) during game play, as suggested by one of his pictures, or only at Game Over. In his reply, he explains the type of skill required for these flippers:
Yes, the ball rests on the spring during gameplay and is shot by the kicker when you press the button, and the kicker hits the spring so you can wait once the ball is rolling on the spring, and push the button when you think the ball is in position - the shooting angle depends how far the ball is away from the point where the spring is hit by the kicker.
If the ball rests too early or in a wrong position, then flip only very short, as this kicks soft and makes the ball roll only on the spring.
The ball drains when it hits the spring and rolls aside too quickly and you miss to hit the button to catapult it again.
Sometimes when the ball comes down, it just bounces and comes to rest quickly - the horizontal motion it gets is different every time - and sometimes you can wait until it rolls/bounces in position. Other times, it moves quickly and you have to flip to prevent it from draining.
Last but not least, when it moves horizontally with bouncing in the right position, it might enter the jackpot lane on the left, one inch above spring level. The jackpot needs to be enabled to be awarded.
- player_count
- 1
- technology_generation
- electromechanical
- year
- 1972