Zaccaria’s *Time Machine* is a fascinating, unconventional relic of the late eighties that proves Italian engineering had a flair for the dramatic. With artwork by Lorenzo Rimondini, this four-flipper machine leans hard into its science-fiction conceit, centering its mechanical identity around a motorized playfield section that physically shifts to represent temporal displacement. When the ball finds the “time hole,” the pop bumper assembly drops away, transitioning the game from the “present” to the “past.” It is a tactile, high-concept feature that forces players to recalibrate their aim as the geometry of the table fundamentally alters beneath the glass.
Mastering *Time Machine* requires a disciplined approach to its dual-era scoring systems. The targets are split between two distinct eras: the “present” (A-G targets) and the “past” (1-7 targets), which become accessible only when the bumper assembly is lowered. While the machine offers various rewards, savvy tournament players often ignore the pop-up field entirely, opting instead to hammer the right ramp to build massive bonus multipliers. If you find yourself in a competitive setting, the “Green Special”—achieved by dropping the assembly and clearing the 1-7 bank—is your primary objective, offering a hefty 150,000-point payout that dwarfs the machine’s other awards.
The layout is deceptively deep for its era, featuring a right-ramp “time bridge” that serves as the engine for your bonus progression. If you catch the rhythm correctly, the ramp feed is consistent enough to allow for infinite looping, making it a dangerous but rewarding shot for those looking to pad their score. Whether you are chasing the high-value Green Special or simply trying to optimize your bonus, *Time Machine* demands that you respect the mechanical state of the board. It is a unique, challenging piece of history that rewards players who can manipulate its shifting landscape rather than just reacting to it.