And they’re off — Big Dryvers is a horse-racing-themed solid-state single-player from the Italian manufacturer Mondialmatic, one of the many European makers whose machines form a fascinating, often-overlooked chapter of pinball history. With reel scoring, art by Michele “Mike” Martinelli — a name that appears across a number of continental machines — it’s a scarce curiosity that brings the thrill of the racetrack to the flippers with a distinctly Italian flavor.
The available layout details are modest, centered on two flippers and three pop bumpers, but the machine’s charm lies in its provenance and its theme. Mondialmatic was one of the smaller European houses working in the era when solid-state electronics were transforming the industry, and its games carry the character of that continental tradition. The horse-racing motif was a natural fit for pinball’s blend of chance and skill, evoking the excitement of the track, the thunder of hooves, and the gambler’s hope for a winning ticket. Those three pop bumpers promise a lively, bouncy ball, keeping the action moving in the honest style of the period.
Big Dryvers is exactly the kind of off-the-beaten-path machine that makes exploring pinball’s international corners so rewarding. It’s a title from a manufacturer well outside the familiar American and even major European pantheon, carrying its own quirks and a genuinely distinctive theme. For the collector who delights in the hobby’s forgotten and global chapters, it’s a worthy pursuit — a racetrack curiosity from an obscure Italian maker. Ride those bumpers, keep the ball alive, and root for your long shot to cross the line first. The far corners of pinball history are well worth exploring, and this one gallops down a lesser-known track. Place your bet and drop a coin. (Note: layout data for this title is limited.)