Chicago Coin’s 1970s release, *Olympics*, stands as a spirited, mid-century mechanical tribute to the world’s greatest sporting event. Designed by the collaborative team of Wendell McAdams, Jerry Koci, and Albin Peters, the machine captures a distinct era of electromechanical design, featuring the unmistakable, stylized aesthetic of artist Christian Marche. It is a straightforward, two-player challenge that relies on the classic, tactile feedback of relay-driven scoring reels and the satisfying “thwack” of vintage hardware, stripping away the digital complexity of modern tables to focus entirely on the fundamentals of ball control and accuracy.
The playfield layout is defined by a high-energy geometry, utilizing two snappy flippers to navigate a course guarded by three pop bumpers and a pair of active slingshots. The standout mechanical centerpiece is the action ring—a feature that demands precision aiming to rack up points against the game’s two standup targets and a pair of spinning targets. A clever inclusion for its time, the right outlane ball return gate offers a merciful second chance for players who might otherwise lose their ball to a stray bounce, rewarding those who can maintain momentum and keep the ball in play during high-stakes scoring runs.
Strategy on *Olympics* is all about rhythm and target management. Because the playfield is relatively open, players should focus on creating a flow between the spinning targets and the central bumpers to maximize the point-per-ball ratio. Mastering the timing of the flipper shots is essential to consistently hitting the standup targets, which often serve as the key to unlocking the machine’s higher scoring thresholds. It is an honest, rewarding piece of arcade history that prioritizes physical endurance and steady hands, perfectly mirroring the competitive spirit of the Olympic games it aims to celebrate.