Monaco, a 1977 electromechanical from the Spanish manufacturer Segasa, whisks players away to the glamorous Mediterranean playground of its namesake, with a sun-soaked theme of water skiing and seaside recreation. Segasa was among the Spanish coin-op makers producing lively, well-built tables in the 1970s, and Monaco shows that European flair with a distinctive playfield feature: a swinging target that adds a moving-skill element rarely seen on its American contemporaries.
The scoring is a tidy build-and-collect affair anchored by the spinner. The core loop is to rip the spinner until your bonus is “full,” then hit the right saucer to collect it — and collect even more in the process. The swinging target adds the strategic spice: when it’s lit in the 1 or 3 zone, striking that risky target awards Double Bonus, a tempting gamble. The “advance bonus” switches do double duty, also sweeping the swinging target’s lights from left to right, so a thoughtful player can set up that lucrative double.
Exotic, breezy, and a little unusual, Monaco is a fun find for collectors who enjoy venturing beyond the familiar American manufacturers. With its glamorous theme and that distinctive swinging target, it’s a characterful slice of late-70s Spanish pinball that plays as sunny as it looks.