Blast off with the space program — Chicago Coin’s Astronaut is an electromechanical two-player that catches the Space Age thrill of the astronaut era, designed by the team of Al Schlappa, Jerry Koci, and John Gore with art by the great Christian Marche, whose bold, stylish illustration gave so many machines of the era their unmistakable look. With reel scoring, it’s a characterful woodrail-era piece from one of the industry’s pioneering manufacturers.
The layout is a lively, engaging spread: two flippers, a generous five pop bumpers, a pair of passive bumpers, two slingshots, and four standup targets. That hearty helping of pop and passive bumpers promises a wildly bouncy, energetic ball that caroms across the playfield and demands active nudging and quick reflexes, while the four standups give a player clear objectives to work through. It’s a clean, spirited design in the classic Chicago Coin mold, all bounce and energy, rewarding a player who keeps the ball moving through that busy field of bumpers, all in service of its exciting space-exploration theme.
Astronaut is a fine example of Chicago Coin’s electromechanical craft and Marche’s showstopping artwork, capturing the era’s fascination with the astronauts and the race to space. Chicago Coin was one of the industry’s foundational manufacturers, and its machines carry a real piece of pinball’s deep history. For the collector who loves the golden age of EM pinball, its great artists, and the optimism of the Space Age, it’s a rewarding find. Ride those five bumpers, work the four standups, and blast off. Some machines capture the spirit of their moment, and this Chicago Coin space classic launches you right into the era’s starry-eyed excitement. To the stars, and drop a coin.