Quetzal Pinball

Quetzal Pinball is an independent Spanish pinball manufacturing and design company founded in 2012 by engineer and enthusiast Antonio Ortuño in the region of Murcia, Spain. The company emerged amid a growing worldwide interest in boutique pinball makers, helping to revive Spain’s long-dormant pinball production after local industry mainstays had vanished by the 1990s. Quetzal Pinball became known for producing limited-run, handcrafted games that prioritized originality and high-quality engineering at a time when pinball production was largely the domain of a few major U.S.-based firms. Early collaborators included artist Gustavo Díaz, with whom Ortuño developed the company’s debut title, Captain Nemo (announced in 2012 and delivered in small quantities from about 2017 onward). This undersea-themed machine introduced Quetzal’s custom QPC hardware platform and unique playfield toys, establishing the company’s reputation for engineering-focused innovation.

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After Captain Nemo, Quetzal Pinball introduced other original concepts, such as the street-racing-inspired Tokyo Perfect Drift, though this prototype did not go into immediate large-scale production. In 2019, the company joined forces with Spanish amusement manufacturer Bitronic to create Super Canasta, later rebranded as Super Hoop, a modern remake of a classic Spanish basketball-themed pinball. Officially released for commercial production in the early 2020s, Super Hoop employed a maintenance-friendly design, appealing to operators by minimizing mechanical components while still offering engaging gameplay. This partnership allowed Quetzal Pinball to transition from a niche boutique creator to a design studio with greater commercial reach. Though it continues to operate as a boutique brand, Quetzal Pinball has demonstrated that passion, engineering skill, and strategic collaboration can foster a sustainable path for independent pinball makers.