Maguinas Automaticas Computerizadas, S.A.

Máquinas Automáticas Computerizadas, S.A. (MAC S.A.) was a Spanish pinball manufacturer founded in 1982 in the Madrid area by former engineers of Petaco S.A., one of Spain’s earliest pinball producers. The company emerged during a transitional period in the Spanish amusement industry, aiming to continue the domestic development of pinball machines while introducing its own computerized technology. From its inception, MAC S.A. was notable for its focus on hardware innovation and modularity, developing a proprietary “MAC System IV” platform that allowed for compact electronics and efficient conversion of machines, reducing costs for operators and extending the lifecycle of each cabinet.

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MAC’s first release was Mac’s Galaxy in 1986, a solid-state, space-themed pinball machine built on the MAC System IV architecture. This was followed by several titles designed as full games or conversion kits, including Mac Jungle (1987), Space Train (1987), and Space Panther (1988). The modular approach allowed operators to re-theme games easily using shared electronics and hardware, a strategy that helped MAC maintain relevance in a shrinking domestic pinball market. The company briefly returned to pinball in the mid-1990s with two final releases: Mac Jungle (1995, a new game unrelated to the earlier title) and NBA Mac (1996), both produced in limited quantities.

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While MAC S.A.’s overall pinball output was modest, its contribution to the Spanish industry was significant. The company upheld domestic manufacturing during a period of increasing competition from imported machines and the rising popularity of video games. Its engineering-driven approach, especially the compact and modular System IV, distinguished it from other small European manufacturers of the time. However, as Spain’s pinball market continued to decline, MAC ceased pinball production after 1996. The company later shifted its focus to other electronics and gaming sectors, and although it continued operations in different capacities, it effectively exited the pinball industry.