Whac-A-Mole

Whac-A-Mole is a popular arcade redemption game invented in 1971 by Bob's Space Racers Inc.

Machine

A typical Whac-A-Mole machine consists a large waist-level cabinet with five holes on its top. Each hole contains a single plastic mole and the machinery necessary for moving it up and down. There is also large soft black mallet approximately the size of a small watermelon and a three-digit readout of the current player's score. The mallet is usually attached to the game by a cable or chain in order to prevent patrons from walking away from the machine with it.

Gameplay

Once the game starts, the moles will begin to rise from their holes at random. The object of the game is to force the individual moles back into their holes by hitting them directly on the head with the mallet. If the player does not strike a mole within a certain time period or with enough force, it will eventually sink back into its hole regardless. Although gameplay starts out slow enough for most people to hit all of the moles that rise, gameplay gradually increases in speed with each mole spending less time outside of their hole and with more moles outside of their holes at the same time. After a designated time limit, the game ends, regardless of the skill of the player. The final score is based upon the number of moles that the player struck.

Variations

Most modern Whac-A-Mole machines have been designed to allow vendors to replace the mole heads with other figures that may be more popular with certain audiences. For example, NFL helmets may be used to appeal to sports fans, or ghosts and witches may be used in the Halloween season.

There are also machines that have very similar gameplay to Whac-A-Mole, however since Whac-a-Mole is a trademark of Bob's Space Racers Inc., they are sold under other names.

External links

• Whac-A-Mole on KLOV
• Bob's Space Racers – The original manufactures and current trademark holder of Whac-A-Mole