Mentioned on another thread - A listing of "Top 10" EMs. I thought maybe I would start the ball rolling and see if others have similar ideas. Not confined to just us "older fellas" - Get onto IPDB and put together your "top 10" list of EMs.
Here's mine ;
10 Smart Set (Williams 1969)I remember this machine from when I was a child. It used to be on location in a cafe in Fitzroy. Taxi Drivers used to buy their coffee and a roll from this small deli / shop. I used to love beating my father on this game. He used to get frustrated because I never nudged the machine. To this day, I never nudge machines. I have the actual machine in storage - minus a backglass. It makes the "top 10" on the memories alone. It was a simple game. I loved this machine for the artwork as well. Christian Marche had a unique artisitic style that separated it from the Gottliebs at that time.
9 Nip - It (Bally 1973)I loved this machine, and I still have the Alligator mechanisms from one of the games. This machine had EVERYTHING - A unique "BAlligator" that was activated by using a second button to capture the ball. It also featured "Zipper flippers". The playfield glass was moulded into the siderails - kind of like a "bonnet" on a car. The game was used in Fonzie episodes for years. I'd love to own one again.
8 El dorado (GTB 1975)Most would rate this EM much higher. It is a milestome pinball for me - one of the most uniquely designed playfield along with Joker Poker and Four Million BC. If you like Targets, this is the game for you. I don't like the theme (country and Western), but I like the targets and the way the upper flipper is located to belt into that top row of targets. Was a real winner for Gottlieb. Solar City, Target Aplha and the rare Canada Dry also share the same playfield layout.
7 Sky Jump (GTB 1974)A classic Gottlieb typical of this era. Well laid out playfield, although the targets are too close to the flippers, but that is only a minor problem. They can be very unforgiving, as a bad shot on an angle will give you and automatic ball drain straight down the middle ! I was going to sell mine, but I've decided to keep it.
6 Planets (Williams 1971)I love this game. Most people I know don't like it, or have never seen it. One of two Widebody EMs that I've been after for YEARS. A centre ball shooter, spinner and four flippers make this game appealing to me. Designed by Steve Kordek, the artwork is brilliant. There's another Williams Widebody EM called Zodiac which is very similar.
5 King Pin (GTB 1973)An instant classic - I really enjoyed this machine while I owned it. Again, plenty of targets and great artwork meant that when you played a straight shot from ther bottom flippers, it looked like the ball was rolling down the runway of a bowling alley. The two pop bumpers alway spoiled the fun for me, as they had a habit of routing the ball straight through the out lanes. The way the ball entered play was great - 5000 when lit in either outhole, around the corner and straight on to one of the upper mini flippers and the first target was down ! Looks easy because the centre of the playfield is empty - but it was a hard pin at times.
4 Super Score (GTB 1967)Another machine I played in my youth. Dual flippers (later used on Rocky), and the ball spinner in the middle. Dad used to operate one of these out of the Preston Market when I was a kid. I was fascinated by the flipper layout and the spinning disk. I completely forgot about this machine until recently, when I saw pictures of it - around 3 years ago - but I forgot the name of the machine. Ironically, a few of these have been for sale recently, but I missed out. I would love to own this machine.
3 Winner (Williams 1972)Another Steve Kordek Classic in the same format as "Planets". A widebody Williams that was truly unique. The machine picks a players horse, that is represented by a mechanical horse in the lower playfield. There are targets for each respective horse at the top of the playfield. The object is to hit YOUR horse and win the race without hitting other targets (that advance other horses). The artwork was done by Christian Marche. I love this game and would "jump" hurdles to get it !
2 Jacks Open (GTB 1977)Finest Gottlieb Wedgehead. Period. Hard game to master and a very smart ruleset based on cards. Game revolves around the centre drop targets and the cards you need to hit are lit in the centre of the playfield. Easy to start off with, so what so hard about it ? Try and "capture" the ball with a flipper and watch it DRAIN down the outlanes... you can't really catch a ball without losing it does to the absence of the lane guides. Just a simple twist that ensures the game keeps flowing. Hit the ball past the drop targets for a breather to work out what targets you need to drop next...
1 Spirit of 76 (GTB 1976)Best EM ever. A very simply game, yet is had all the hallmarks of Gottliebs' finest years. Great design (Ed Krynski & Wayne Neyens), artwork and the theme was just brilliant. The entire "pinball package". A symmetrical layout which Bally would use to great effect in the early SS years, and ironically, Gottlieb would drop ! Drop the targets collect the bonus and just keep racking the bounds. sounds boring ? Send the ball up to the top of the playfield - Three pop bumpers and two kickers - the ball just goes nuts ! I just love EVERYTHING about this game, - it deserves to be my "number one" EM Pinball Machine. Luckily, I still own one since new. It is in the never ending restore queue, but it will be done !
NOT as easy as it looks - Took me two hours, but it also took me for a ride down memory lane, thinking of all those classics. Best two hours I've spent in a while .
So what's You "Top 10" EM list ?
