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Seattle Pinball Museum
Home
Our History
Game List
  • Game List
  • 2000-NOW
  • 1980-1999
  • 1960-1979
Planning a visit
  • Plan Your Trip
  • How to Get Here
  • Whats Around Us
  • Rules for Entry
  • FAQs
  • Location and Hours
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  • Featured Games for Sale
  • Jersey Jack Pinball
  • Chicago Gaming Company
  • Legacy Machines
  • Sales Contact Form
Private Events
More
  • Home
  • Our History
  • Game List
    • Game List
    • 2000-NOW
    • 1980-1999
    • 1960-1979
  • Planning a visit
    • Plan Your Trip
    • How to Get Here
    • Whats Around Us
    • Rules for Entry
    • FAQs
    • Location and Hours
  • Games for Sale
    • Featured Games for Sale
    • Jersey Jack Pinball
    • Chicago Gaming Company
    • Legacy Machines
    • Sales Contact Form
  • Private Events

  • Home
  • Our History
  • Game List
    • Game List
    • 2000-NOW
    • 1980-1999
    • 1960-1979
  • Planning a visit
    • Plan Your Trip
    • How to Get Here
    • Whats Around Us
    • Rules for Entry
    • FAQs
    • Location and Hours
  • Games for Sale
    • Featured Games for Sale
    • Jersey Jack Pinball
    • Chicago Gaming Company
    • Legacy Machines
    • Sales Contact Form
  • Private Events

Monaco Pinball Museum Back Glass

Monaco

Date of Manufacture: 1977
Number Produced: ~1,000 units
Manufacturer: Segasa (Spain)

Creators:

  • Designer: Unknown
  • Artist: Unknown

Game Type: 

  • Electro-mechanical
  • 4-player game

Rating: 7/10
Fun Rating: 7.8/10

Other Versions:

The Monaco pinball machine, released in 1977 by Segasa, has an interesting connection to an earlier release: Cannes (1976). Monaco is essentially a higher-scoring, rule-enhanced remake of Cannes, designed by the same company. While both machines share similar layouts and features, Monaco offers some rule changes and higher point values to enhance gameplay​

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DISCUSSION OF Monaco PINBALL

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History
Innovations
Game Tutorial

History of Monaco

Monaco, introduced in 1977, is a classic example of the electro-mechanical (EM) machines that dominated the pinball scene in the mid-70s. Manufactured by Segasa, a Spanish company, Monaco followed in the footsteps of its predecessor, Cannes, with enhanced gameplay and more substantial point values. The game was notable for its engaging playfield layout, featuring several unique elements such as a swinging target and a rotating spinner, which kept players coming back for more.

Cultural Impact and Popularity

Cultural Impact and Popularity

Cultural Impact and Popularity

The game's theme centered around water sports and the idyllic lifestyle of Monaco, evoking a sense of vacation and leisure. As an EM game, it reflected the transitional period before solid-state electronics took over in the pinball world. Monaco was one of Segasa's more successful releases, reflecting the company's focus on producing high-quality machines in a market where competition from other manufacturers like Gottlieb and Bally was fierce.

Cultural Impact and Popularity

Cultural Impact and Popularity

While not as widely known as some of its contemporaries, Monaco carved a niche with its detailed playfield and exciting features, creating a sense of constant challenge for players to build and collect their bonuses.

Innovations and Features

Interesting Facts and Trivia

Interesting Facts and Trivia

  • Notable Features: Flippers, pop bumpers, slingshots, kick-out holes, standup targets, spinning target, swinging target


  • Monaco's primary gameplay revolves around building and collecting bonus points. Players can accumulate bonus by hitting various targets such as the spinner, lit lanes, and stand-up targets. The swinging target in the center of the playfield added a level of difficulty and strategy, as hitting it when in certain positions activated the double bonus feature.


  • One innovation of Monaco was its method of bonus collection, where players could decide whether to collect their bonus immediately or continue to spin the spinner for potentially higher points. However, this came with risk, as players could lose the bonus if they drained the ball prematurely.


  • Monaco also featured a spinner that increased its point value as the player's bonus grew, further emphasizing the strategy of balancing risk and reward.

Interesting Facts and Trivia

Interesting Facts and Trivia

Interesting Facts and Trivia

  • Misspelling: The game retained a misspelling from its predecessor Cannes, with "Extra Ball Whet Lit" on the playfield instead of "When Lit"​
    .
  • Double Bonus: The swinging target's double bonus feature was risky; sometimes it was better to avoid it depending on the bonus situation​
    .
  • Game Strategy: Players could score highly by repeatedly hitting the spinner to increase the bonus multiplier, but this required careful management of the bonus collection​
    .
  • Design: Monaco was one of the later EM machines to feature a wide variety of targets, offering a dynamic playing experience​


  • Maximum Displayed Score: 999,990 points. Unlike most games, even at the time, this game does not feature a score roll over function, this means when you reach the maximum number of points it resets the score to 000,000 instead of adding a 1 to the end of your score (example: 999,991).

Monaco Gameplay Tutorial

Goal and Objectives

The objective of Monaco is to accumulate as many points as possible by hitting targets, managing the bonus system, and utilizing the various playfield elements, such as the spinner and the swinging target. The game focuses on building bonus multipliers and risk management to maximize your score.

Game Modes and Rule Sets

  • Spinner: The spinner, located on the right side of the playfield, is crucial for increasing the score multiplier. By hitting the spinner repeatedly, you accumulate bonus points, which are added to your score. The spinner value increases as the bonus multiplier grows, so it's essential to keep the ball in that area of the playfield to build up a significant bonus.
  • Swinging Target: The swinging target is located at the center of the playfield and plays a key role in your scoring strategy. When hit, it activates a double bonus feature. The swing of the target makes it challenging to hit at the right time, so mastering this target is essential for high scoring.
  • Bonus Collection: After hitting certain targets or completing a specific sequence of actions, you'll accumulate bonus points. However, the game allows you to decide whether to collect your bonus immediately or continue playing to try to build it further by using the spinner. However, you risk losing all accumulated bonus points if the ball drains before you collect them.
  • Lit Targets: The lit targets on the playfield correspond to certain bonus multipliers or extra ball opportunities. Aiming for these targets will help boost your points and can activate special features like extra ball or jackpot bonuses.

How to Score High

Master the Spinner: 

  • The spinner is one of your primary scoring tools in Monaco. Every time the ball hits the spinner, your score increases, and the bonus multiplier grows. Aim to keep the ball near the spinner as much as possible to maximize your bonus.

Swinging Target Strategy: 

  • Take advantage of the swinging target by timing your shots when it's in a favorable position. When hit, it activates a double bonus, which can significantly boost your score. The timing here is crucial, so practice aiming for it when it's in the best position for a successful hit.

Bonus Management: 

  • You can choose to either collect your bonus immediately or continue to build it. However, if the ball drains before you collect, you lose the bonus. If you’re confident in your skills, continue building the bonus and try to activate the double bonus through the swinging target. If you're unsure, take the safer route and collect early.

Focus on Lit Targets: 

  • Keep an eye on which targets are lit, as they often correspond to high-value opportunities like extra ball or multiplier bonuses. Hitting these targets can unlock additional scoring potential.

Additional Tips

Risk vs. Reward: 

  • The game requires you to make strategic decisions about when to collect your bonus. If you’ve accumulated a high bonus, it might be worth the risk to keep playing and attempt to multiply it further. But remember, you can lose everything if the ball drains!

Timing is Key: 

  • The swinging target can be tricky to hit, but with practice, you can learn its timing. Once you feel comfortable with the swing, use it to activate the double bonus to skyrocket your score.

Stay Active: 

  • Keep your ball moving through high-value areas of the playfield, especially the spinner and lit targets. The more you hit the spinner and targets, the higher your score potential becomes.

By focusing on managing your bonus, hitting key targets, and making the most of the spinner and swinging target, you can significantly increase your score on Monaco. Enjoy the game, and good luck!

General Gameplay Tips

  • Ball Control: Maintaining control of the ball is crucial for maximizing your score. Focus on keeping the ball away from the outlanes and in the center of the playfield.
  • Timing and Precision: Pay attention to the timing of your shots. Precise flipper control can help you hit high-value targets and complete objectives.
  • Understanding the Playfield: Familiarize yourself with the playfield layout, including the locations of bumpers, kickers, and rollovers. Knowing where to aim can help you optimize your gameplay strategy.

Advanced Strategy

  • Combo Shots: Align shots to hit the swinging targets immediately after the ball ricochets from lit bumpers for bonus chain scoring.
  • Play Defense: Watch for rebounds from the swinging targets, as they can lead to unexpected drains if not carefully managed.
  • Endgame Planning: Set up the playfield during the last ball to maximize bonus collection at the end of your turn.

Resources

"Monaco Pinball Machine by Segasa." IPDB, www.ipdb.org. Accessed 8 Dec. 2024.

"Monaco Pinball Rules." Pinrepair, www.pinrepair.com. Accessed 8 Dec. 2024.

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