Twenty thousand leagues under the sea — Captain Nemo is a 2015 solid-state four-player from the Spanish boutique manufacturer Quetzal Pinball, wrapped in a fictional-adventure theme drawn from Jules Verne’s legendary submarine captain. Largely the work of Antonio Ortuño Nicolas across concept, design, mechanics, and software, with art by Ruben Lavado Orts and Gustavo Diaz Soler and an LCD display, it’s a genuinely ambitious modern machine from one of the plucky European boutique makers.
The layout is a solid, well-appointed modern spread: two flippers, three pop bumpers, a pair of slingshots, five standup targets, two kick-out holes, a four-bank of drop targets, and a messenger ball. That four-bank of drops gives a sharp-shooting player a satisfying objective to clear, while the five standups offer additional targets to work through and the messenger ball adds a bit of mechanical interest. The three pop bumpers keep the ball lively, and the two kick-out holes offer captured-ball awards to chase, all in service of the underwater-adventure theme and the mystery of the Nautilus. It’s a target-rich design that rewards accurate shooting.
Captain Nemo is a fine example of modern pinball’s global, inventive spirit, a machine from a Spanish boutique manufacturer boldly building a themed game far from the industry’s traditional heartlands. Quetzal Pinball’s ambition shines through, and the Jules Verne theme gives it a genuinely evocative, literary appeal. For the collector who loves the forward-looking, worldwide edge of the modern hobby, it’s an intriguing find. Clear that drop bank, work the five standups, and dive into the deep with Captain Nemo. The modern era of pinball stretches around the globe, and this Spanish machine proves it. Descend into the depths and drop a coin.