Track your quarry — Big Hunt is a solid-state single-player from the Italian manufacturer A.M.I., wrapped in an American West hunting theme, one of the European makers whose machines form a fascinating chapter of pinball’s global story. With reel scoring and art by Michele “Mike” Martinelli — a name that appears across a number of continental machines — it’s an intriguing international title with a well-appointed playfield.
The layout is a busy, engaging spread: two flippers, three pop bumpers, a generous three slingshots, six standup targets, a four-bank of drop targets, a spinning target, a diverter, an upper-right kicker lane, and right-side dual inlanes. That spinning target offers satisfying, high-value shots for a scoring-minded player, while the four-bank of drops gives a clear objective to clear and the six standups offer plenty of additional targets to work through. The diverter adds a bit of routing interest, the kicker lane and dual inlanes help keep the ball in play, and the unusual third slingshot adds extra bounce. It’s a varied, feature-rich design that rewards accurate shooting, all in service of its frontier hunting theme.
Big Hunt is a fine example of the broader, international sweep of pinball history beyond the familiar American names. A.M.I. built machines with real character, and this hunting-themed title carries the European flipper tradition with its own distinctive flavor. 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 — a reminder that pinball’s story was always bigger than any one country. Rip that spinner, clear the drop bank, and track your quarry across the frontier. The far corners of pinball history hold plenty of well-built surprises, and this Italian machine is one of them. Take aim and drop a coin.