Up Away is a quintessential slice of space-age nostalgia from the Spanish manufacturer Inder. While modern machines often lean into complex multi-ball modes and deep code, this electromechanical title captures the pure, kinetic charm of the mid-century era. The theme is a vibrant, retro-futuristic romp through the cosmos, brought to life by a classic reel-based scoring system that rewards every hit with the satisfying click-clack of spinning numbers.
The playfield layout is focused and disciplined, centering on a trio of high-energy pop bumpers that serve as the focal point for ricochet-heavy action. With seven strategically placed standup targets, the game demands precision rather than brute force, challenging the player to navigate the board to keep the ball in flight. The upper left kicker lane adds a dash of unpredictability, acting as a slingshot that can either save a ball from a drain or send it careening back into the action in an entirely new trajectory.
For those looking to master this machine, the key lies in controlling the flow through the upper left kicker. Because the game lacks the modern safety nets of deep ball saves, tournament strategy dictates a “dead-stop” approach to the flippers; let the ball settle before making your move on the standup target banks. It is a stripped-back, honest experience that proves you don’t need an LCD screen or an air-ball magnet to feel the rush of a high-scoring mission into deep space.