En garde — Cavalier is a solid-state four-player from the Spanish manufacturer Recel, wrapped in a theme of dashing historical characters, one of the European makers whose machines form a fascinating chapter of pinball’s global story. With an alphanumeric display, it’s an intriguing continental machine with a genuinely varied, feature-rich playfield.
The layout is a solid, engaging spread: two flippers, two pop bumpers, a pair of slingshots, four star rollovers, two kick-out holes, a vari-target, and a spinning target. That combination of a vari-target and a spinning target gives the game satisfying shot-making variety — the vari-target rewards a full, committed shot, while the spinner offers high-value shots for a scoring-minded player. The four star rollovers add scoring opportunities up top, the two kick-out holes offer captured-ball awards, and the two pop bumpers keep the ball lively. It’s a varied, well-appointed design that rewards accurate shooting, all in service of the swashbuckling historical theme and the dashing romance of the cavalier it evokes.
Cavalier is a fine example of the broader, international sweep of pinball history beyond the familiar American names. Recel built games with real character, and this historical-themed title carries the European flipper tradition with its own distinctive flavor, right down to that pairing of a vari-target and a spinner. For the collector who appreciates the global corners of the hobby and the makers who worked outside the usual pantheon, it’s a worthy find. Hit that vari-target solidly, rip the spinner, and work the star rollovers. The far corners of pinball history hold plenty of well-built surprises, and this Spanish machine is one of them. Draw your blade and drop a coin.