Ride the frontier — this is Cherokis from the Spanish manufacturer Recreativos Franco, an electromechanical single-player wrapped in an American West and Native American theme, one of the European makers whose machines form a fascinating chapter of pinball’s global story. With reel scoring, it’s an intriguing continental take on the classic frontier motif, with a distinctly European flavor.
The layout is a clean, focused spread: two flippers, two pop bumpers, and three kick-out holes. Those three kick-out holes give the playfield its scoring character, offering captured-ball awards to chase, while the two pop bumpers keep the ball lively up top. There’s a charming period quirk, too — the “Match” feature uses the last three numbers of the score rather than the usual two, a small distinctive touch. It’s a straightforward, well-balanced design in the classic EM mold, rewarding a player who keeps the ball alive and works the bumpers and holes methodically, all in service of the frontier theme.
This Recreativos Franco Cherokis is a fine example of the broader, international sweep of pinball history beyond the familiar American names — and it’s worth noting the maker produced a closely related four-player machine titled Cherokee, so collectors should mind which version they’re chasing. Recreativos Franco built games with real character, and this western-themed single-player carries the European flipper tradition with its own distinctive flavor, right down to that three-digit Match. For the collector who appreciates the global corners of the hobby, it’s a worthy find. Ride those bumpers, work the kick-out holes, and roam the frontier. The far corners of pinball history hold plenty of intriguing surprises, and this Spanish western machine is one of them. Saddle up and drop a coin.