The "Fandango" pinball machine, released in May 1976 by the Spanish manufacturer Playmatic, presents a vibrant and challenging electro-mechanical experience. Emerging during a prolific period for EM machines, Fandango stands as a testament to Playmatic's distinct approach to pinball design. The machine embraces a theme of music, dancing, and global locales, with "Fandango" itself referring to a lively Spanish dance, setting a festive tone for the gameplay. Playmatic was known for its robust construction, and Fandango exemplifies this with its notably durable playfield, which often featured a hard coat or clearcoat, ensuring longevity and resistance to wear, a characteristic that set many Spanish pins apart. While specific individual designers for Fandango are not widely detailed, the machine embodies the collective design philosophy of Playmatic from that era, focusing on strong visual themes and dynamic gameplay for its single-player format. A close relative, "Fiesta," released in the same year, shares much of Fandango's design, serving as its four-player counterpart. This shared lineage highlights Playmatic's efficiency in adapting successful designs across different player configurations.

Signature Features and Design

Fandango's design is defined by a vivid aesthetic and several distinctive Playmatic elements. The machine's art package is a major draw, consistently lauded for its "hot-n-spicy" palette, featuring warm colors and dynamic human figures that evoke the energy of its music and dance theme. The backglass art, in particular, is considered beautiful, complementing the overall visual "eye candy" of the machine. The cabinet itself contributes to this aesthetic with a laid-back, cool guitar theme, reinforcing the musical inspiration. Beyond its visual appeal, the durability of Fandango's playfield is a signature characteristic. Unlike many EM machines of its time, Fandango's playfield was often clearcoated from the factory, a manufacturing decision that dramatically reduced wear and ensured the artwork's integrity even after decades of play. Another specific Playmatic feature evident on Fandango is the covered Match window, a subtle design choice that adds a touch of mystery to the end-of-game bonus. The machine's soundscape, though typical for an EM with three chimes and a knocker, contributes effectively to the overall experience. The rapid sequencing of the chimes during fast play, especially during bonus collection, creates a percussive effect that enhances the game's inherent musicality, aligning perfectly with its theme.

Playfield and Mechanics

The playfield of the Fandango pinball machine is engineered for speed and precision, offering a layout that demands consistent player engagement. It features two flippers at the base, two pop bumpers, a single mushroom bumper, and two slingshots. The playfield includes six standup targets and two rollover buttons that are integral to its scoring objectives. A kick-out hole adds another interactive element, often returning the ball to a central position or triggering specific bonuses. A distinctive aspect of Fandango's layout is the left side of the playfield, which incorporates parallel lanes of serial rollovers. These rollovers are crucial for gameplay progression but also present a significant risk, as they are notorious for leading to quick drains if not navigated with extreme care. The design philosophy behind this layout emphasizes a fast and unforgiving flow. Many players describe the playfield slope as "wicked" by EM standards, contributing to a high-velocity game that "kicks hard." This speed, while exhilarating, also means that mistimed shots frequently result in immediate drains. Further contributing to its unique feel are the staggered slingshot placements, which create a "ladder" effect on the playfield. This unusual configuration alters ball deflections in unexpected ways, requiring players to adapt their aiming and flipper timing. The left side spillway, an area where the ball can quickly exit the upper playfield into the lower, adds another layer of excitement and danger, reinforcing the game's demanding nature. The overall artwork and lighting on the playfield maintain the "hot-n-spicy" aesthetic established by the backglass, with vibrant colors and well-placed illumination drawing the player's eye to critical targets and pathways.

Gameplay Dynamics

Fandango's gameplay dynamics, while not featuring the complex rule sets of later solid-state machines, offer a challenging and rewarding experience within its electro-mechanical framework. The core objective revolves around completing an ABCD sequence, a critical element for scoring bonus multipliers. Players achieve this by strategically toggling between a bank of standup targets and the more perilous rollover buttons. Successfully lighting all letters activates bonus multipliers, escalating to 2X and 3X, which significantly boosts end-of-ball scores. However, the game maintains its challenge by unlighting a letter if certain conditions are met, thereby withdrawing any accrued bonus multipliers and forcing players to re-engage with the targets. The rollovers, while risky, are also essential for achieving extra balls, adding a compelling risk-reward dynamic to the gameplay. This creates a strategic tension where players must decide whether to pursue the higher-scoring but drain-prone rollovers or focus on safer shots to maintain ball control. The "End-of-ball bonus" system rewards players based on their progress throughout the game, culminating in a satisfying tally accompanied by the machine's distinctive chime sequences. The fast pace and "hard kicks" of the flippers and bumpers make precise shot-making paramount. Players who can master the ball's momentum and navigate the demanding playfield, particularly the left-side spillway and rollover lanes, will find the game incredibly gratifying. Playmatic also offered a degree of customization with Fandango, allowing operators to select three different voltages for the flippers and bumpers, enabling fine-tuning of the machine's power and responsiveness to suit player preferences or house rules.

Reception and Legacy

Upon its release and throughout the decades, the Fandango pinball machine has consistently garnered a positive reception among pinball players and collectors. Its strengths are frequently highlighted, particularly its "fast-action mean-hot mistress" gameplay. Players often commend its "wicked" playfield slope and the powerful "kicks" that deliver an exhilarating, high-energy experience. The machine's artistic presentation is a major selling point, with the "hot-n-spicy" art package, warm colors, and expressive human figures drawing widespread praise. The backglass and cabinet art contribute to a cohesive and appealing aesthetic that many describe as "eye candy." The durability of the clearcoated playfield, a hallmark of Playmatic's Spanish manufacturing, is a frequently lauded attribute, ensuring that machines remain visually impressive and playable for many years with minimal wear. Despite its relatively straightforward electro-mechanical rules, the challenge of completing the ABCD sequence by navigating targets and rollovers is considered engaging and rewarding, particularly when achieving the satisfying 2X and 3X bonus multipliers. Unique playfield features like the staggered slingshot placements, which create a "ladder" effect, and the exciting yet dangerous left side spillway, add to its distinctiveness. The standard EM sound package, while simple, is noted for its ability to create "fantastic" combinations during bonus collection, contributing to the game's musicality due to its speed.

However, Fandango's high speed and hard kicks, while praised for excitement, are also cited as its primary weakness: its unforgiving nature. The machine's propensity for drains after mistimed shots is a common point of feedback, making it a challenging game for casual players. The rollovers, while necessary for advancing gameplay and earning extra balls, are specifically highlighted as significant left drain risks, demanding precise control. Despite these challenges, Fandango holds a strong reputation within the pinball community. It is often highly recommended and considered a machine that "holds up well over decades." Its legacy is rooted in its demonstration of what a high-quality Spanish EM pinball machine could achieve in terms of both robust construction and exhilarating gameplay. Its distinct characteristics, such as the clearcoated playfield and unique playfield layouts, have carved out a significant niche for Playmatic machines. Fandango is sometimes favorably compared to other respected EM titles of the era, such as Gottlieb's Atlantis, underscoring its place as a desirable and memorable electro-mechanical experience.