Space Race pinball rules and strategy

In Space Race, plunge either upper angled lane, then work one five-target bank. After that bank is complete, hit its matching center stand-up to light Double Bonus. Keep hitting the target banks: every 100 points moves the spaceship, and each full trip adds Bonus. Three- and five-ball settings change when the banks reset, so check the card.

The goal

Finish one bank cleanly, take the matching center target for Double Bonus, and continue through target values and spaceship circuits. Avoid splitting progress between banks unless the ball’s feed makes the other side much safer.

  1. Plunge either top angled lane and watch which target bank receives the cleaner return.

  2. Commit to that five-target bank instead of spreading progress across both sides.

  3. When the bank is complete, hit its matching center stand-up to light Double Bonus.

  4. Return to the banks so ordinary scoring keeps moving the spaceship and adding Bonus circuits.

  5. After a target reset, choose the safer side again and repeat the bank-to-center sequence.

Need to know
Left and right banks
Five targets per side; each bank qualifies its matching center target.
Matching center target
Light Double Bonus after its side bank is complete.
Spaceship
Advance with every 100 points; a full circuit adds Bonus.

Machine setup

  • Confirm three- or five-ball play and use the matching instruction card. The target-bank reset condition and upper Extra Ball award differ by setup; convert or suppress those awards as required for competition.
  • Test both five-target banks, both matching center targets, Double Bonus, both upper rollover lamps, spaceship movement on each 100 points, full-circuit Bonus advances, bank reset timing, end-of-ball Bonus, and all target rebounds.
Sources and references
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Playbooks

Space Race playfield

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