Chicago Coin’s 1970 release, *Hee Haw*, captures the chaotic, banjo-strumming spirit of its namesake television variety show with the unmistakable aesthetic of the late-EM era. Designed by John Gore with the iconic, caricatured art style of Christian Marche, the machine is a vibrant, neon-soaked romp that feels like a Saturday night at the Grand Ole Opry. It’s a classic four-player EM experience that relies on tight geometry and high-energy playfield action, utilizing a layout that demands precision to keep the ball from ending your set prematurely.
The mechanical heart of the game is built around a frantic array of targets and kick-out holes that keep the tempo high. With three pop bumpers and a signature spinning bumper, the ball movement is notoriously erratic, forcing players to master their nudging technique. Strategic play revolves around navigating the three kick-out holes and managing the risk-reward dynamic of the playfield: while the left outlane features a life-saving kickback, the right side relies on a ball return gate, making ball control between the two flippers essential. The inclusion of a center up-post provides a critical safety net, allowing skilled players to trap the ball and set up their next shot toward the bank of standup targets.
For those looking to dominate the scoreboard, the key is consistency in hitting the rollover buttons and navigating the kick-out holes to maximize bonus multipliers. Because this is an EM machine, the scoring is tight, and the game punishes wild, uncontrolled flipping. Mastering the timing of the spinning bumper is the real test of a *Hee Haw* veteran; timing your shots to catch the ball as it exits the bumper’s orbit is the most reliable way to rack up serious points. It’s a whimsical, challenging piece of Americana that proves even the most lighthearted themes can offer a deep, demanding test for the modern collector.