Bob’s Space Racers Whac-A-Mole SE

Mole heads pop up at random. The mallet comes down. The pattern shifts faster the longer the player lasts.

Overview

The Whac-A-Mole SE is Bob’s Space Racers’ updated build of the classic arcade format, now featuring graphics drawn from the latest Mattel home game and an overhauled programming system that gives operators more configuration options than the previous generation. The progressive difficulty engine reads player performance in real time and increases the speed and unpredictability of the mole sequence as skill improves — the same mechanic that has made Whac-A-Mole a fixture in arcades and FECs for over 35 years. The cabinet supports a Home Edition or free-play configuration, and can be custom themed to match a specific venue’s branding at the time of order.

Key Features

Adaptive Progressive Difficulty

The difficulty engine monitors each player’s performance and automatically accelerates the mole sequence as hit accuracy improves. There is no fixed cap — the pattern keeps shifting faster and less predictably the better the player does, so experienced players face a materially harder game than first-timers on the same credit.

Updated Graphics Tied to Current Mattel Branding

The SE cabinet carries new artwork directly inspired by the current Mattel home edition of Whac-A-Mole. The brand has appeared in TV, movies, commercials, music videos, board games, and home electronics over its 35-plus-year run, making the cabinet art immediately recognizable to players across age groups.

Expanded Operator Programming

The SE adds more operator programming options than the original model. Ticket payout rates, game timing, and difficulty parameters are configurable through the operator menu, giving route operators and FEC managers the ability to tune the unit for their specific location and redemption structure.

Solenoid-Driven Mole Mechanism

Each mole head is driven by an individual solenoid coil. The solenoid actuates the mole shaft upward on cue from the main PCB, and a sensor pair registers whether the head was struck before it retracted. Shafts and solenoid coils are individually replaceable in the field without pulling the full assembly.

Integrated Ticket Dispenser

The unit includes an onboard ticket dispenser controlled through the front panel board. Payout settings are adjustable via the operator menu, and the dispenser includes a sensor and reset button for clearing jams without opening the cabinet.

How It Plays

The player grips the mallet and swings down on each mole head the moment it clears the playfield surface — timing the strike before the head retracts. The sequence starts at a manageable pace and increases in speed and randomness as hits accumulate, so a player deep into a strong run is working against a noticeably faster pattern than when they started. From a few feet away, the rapid back-and-forth of the mallet and the mole heads popping up and dropping is visible across a standard FEC floor.

Specifications

Why Operators Love It

Compact 28-Inch Footprint

At 28 in wide and 30.25 in deep, the SE fits into floor slots that larger redemption cabinets cannot. The upright cabinet stands 69 in tall, keeping the play area visible without consuming excess floor space.

Standard 110V Single-Outlet Power

The unit draws 3A at 110V / 60Hz on domestic power — a standard wall outlet handles it. Export configurations run at 220V / 50Hz for international placement. No dedicated circuit or special wiring is required for domestic installations.

Field-Serviceable Component Layout

Individual mole shafts, solenoid coils, sensor pairs, coin mechanisms, front panel boards, and the main PCB are all independently replaceable. The operator manual documents troubleshooting paths for each subsystem — sound, coin intake, ticket dispensing, mole actuation, and power — so a technician can isolate a fault without replacing the full assembly.

Card Reader Installation Support

A dedicated card reader installation manual is included with the unit, confirming the cabinet is designed to accept cashless card reader hardware. Operators running debit or loyalty card systems can integrate a reader without sourcing a custom bracket or wiring solution.

Custom Theming Available at Order

The cabinet can be custom themed to match a venue’s branding at the time of order — useful for FECs and entertainment venues that run a consistent visual identity across their floor.

Ideal Placement

Well-suited for family entertainment centers, bowling alleys, pizza and entertainment venues, children’s arcades, and redemption-focused route locations. The compact footprint and universally recognized brand work across age demographics, from young children to adults who remember the original.

Shipping & Setup

We offer flexible freight delivery options, including curbside and lift-gate services. Shipping costs and timing are calculated at checkout based on your location and requirements.

Warranty & Support

Your purchase includes a standard manufacturer warranty and access to technical support to ensure long-term performance and uptime.