Peyper

Peyper was a Spanish pinball manufacturer founded in 1977 by designer Eulogio Pingarrón and financier Juan Paredes in Madrid, Spain. Unlike earlier Spanish companies that often produced licensed American-style machines, Peyper devoted its resources to developing original pinball concepts, themes, and playfield mechanisms for the domestic market. This focus quickly gained attention during the late 1970s and 1980s, when the industry experienced growing global demand for solid-state pinball technology. Spearheaded by Pingarrón’s designs, the company released its first electro-mechanical machine, Tally Hoo!! (1977), before transitioning to electronic systems in games such as Odin (1985) and Nemesis (1986). The latter featured artwork based on the “Flight of the Dragons” painting by Boris Vallejo. These machines demonstrated Peyper’s commitment to creativity, distinct themes, and novel gameplay.

​

One notable innovation was the “El Movimiento” feature, introduced in titles like Wolf Man (1987) and Odisea Paris-Dakar (1987). It used knobs on the cabinet to shift the playfield’s angle, allowing players to maneuver the ball without tilting. This inventive mechanism distinguished Peyper from other mid-market manufacturers at the time and contributed to its positive reputation among pinball enthusiasts. However, as arcades declined in popularity through the early 1990s, Peyper began to struggle financially. Sir Lancelot (1994) became the final game released under the Peyper name, marking the end of the company’s pinball production. By around 1998, Peyper had ceased operations entirely. Although short-lived, the manufacturer left a lasting impression in Spain for its original themes, distinctive mechanical features, and support of domestic pinball design.