''Mata Hari'' is a
pinball
Pinball games are a family of games in which a ball is propelled into a specially designed table where it bounces off various obstacles, scoring points either en route or when it comes to rest. Historically the board was studded with nails call ...
machine created by
Bally Manufacturing
Bally Manufacturing, later renamed Bally Entertainment, was an American company that began as a pinball and slot machine manufacturer, and later expanded into casinos, video games, health clubs, and theme parks. It was acquired by Hilton Hotel ...
in 1977 and released in 1978. The theme of the game is based on
Dutch
Dutch commonly refers to:
* Something of, from, or related to the Netherlands
* Dutch people ()
* Dutch language ()
Dutch may also refer to:
Places
* Dutch, West Virginia, a community in the United States
* Pennsylvania Dutch Country
People E ...
exotic dancer
A stripper or exotic dancer is a person whose occupation involves performing striptease in a public adult entertainment venue such as a strip club. At times, a stripper may be hired to perform at a bachelor party or other private event.
M ...
,
Mata Hari
Margaretha Geertruida MacLeod (née Zelle; 7 August 187615 October 1917), better known by the stage name Mata Hari (), was a Dutch exotic dancer and courtesan who was convicted of being a spy for Germany during World War I. She was executed by ...
.
It was mainly produced using
solid-state electronics
Solid-state electronics means semiconductor electronics: electronic equipment using semiconductor devices such as transistors, diodes and integrated circuits (ICs). The term is also used as an adjective for devices in which semiconductor electr ...
but also 170
electro-mechanical
In engineering, electromechanics combines processes and procedures drawn from electrical engineering and mechanical engineering. Electromechanics focuses on the interaction of electrical and mechanical systems as a whole and how the two systems ...
versions were released.
It was the last model manufactured by Bally in two such versions.
Approximately 20 sample games were produced with a plastic playfield, instead of the traditional wooden playfield.
Description
The design noticeably consists of mainly dark, red and gold color artwork and a prominent image of a dagger running up the middle.
/ref> A dagger is also depicted on the backglass in the hand of Mata Hari. One version is blank and one shows an inscription with the motto
A motto (derived from the Latin , 'mutter', by way of Italian , 'word' or 'sentence') is a sentence or phrase expressing a belief or purpose, or the general motivation or intention of an individual, family, social group, or organisation. Mot ...
of the Nazi German SS "Meine Ehre heißt Treue" (German, "My honor is loyalty"). Mata Hari died during World War I
World War I (28 July 1914 11 November 1918), often abbreviated as WWI, was one of the deadliest global conflicts in history. Belligerents included much of Europe, the Russian Empire, the United States, and the Ottoman Empire, with fightin ...
therefore the inscription is an anachronism
An anachronism (from the Ancient Greek, Greek , 'against' and , 'time') is a chronology, chronological inconsistency in some arrangement, especially a juxtaposition of people, events, objects, language terms and customs from different time per ...
.[ Contrary to a popular belief, the version with inscription is not more rare than the one without. There were about equal numbers of both versions of backglasses made.][
The game has chimes as it was designed before electronic sounds were used. ][
]
Gameplay
The game allows up to four players.[ The table has a completely symmetric playfield layout. The machine has a simple straight-forward rule set that offers a challenge to beginners and advanced players.][ Basically, there are three goals to accomplish: knock down the drop targets, complete the A-B combination a certain number of times and land in the kickout hole multiple times.][ The rules in detail are the following: Making ‘A’ and ‘B’ top rollover lanes or left and right ‘A’ and ‘B’ orbits scores and advances ‘A-B’ lit value which is displayed in the centre of the playfield. Landing the ball in the top kickout hole first time scores 3000 points, advances bonus value 3 places, lights 2x bonus multiplier and lights left outlane for 50,000 points. Second time lights right outlane for 50.000 points and 3x bonus multiplier. Third time lights 5x bonus multiplier. Knocking down all drop targets scores 50.000 points and lights target special light.][ A replay is available for making ‘A’ and ‘B’ when lit for special and another +50K for all target down when lit for special. The maximum is one extra ball per ball in play. ]
References
External links
* {{IPDB, 4501
Instruction cards for ''Mata Hari''
1977 pinball machines
Bally pinball machines
Cultural depictions of Mata Hari