Gottlieb Countdown

[Creech]

Anyone ever played or owned a Gottlieb Countdown? Looking to get one but want some opinions first as I've never played one. I like the way it looks plus read some good things about it on RGP. There's the possibility of getting a Sinbad as well so wondering how the 2 compare?

[Strangeways]

I Love Sinbad... some of the earlier system one games were really just EMs adapted to an electronics platform. I always had a liking for Sinbad and Cleopatra..

Coundown is an interesting machine. I'm not really into the theme, but it has a good playfield layout.

[ROLLERBALL]

Havnt played them But going by the look of them I like the countdown for sure

[Creech]

Nino, I need a telescope to see your avatar.  ;D

[Pinfan]

Anyone ever played or owned a Gottlieb Countdown? Looking to get one but want some opinions first as I've never played one. I like the way it looks plus read some good things about it on RGP. There's the possibility of getting a Sinbad as well so wondering how the 2 compare?

Countdown according to Tim Arnold ( pinball hall of fame owner ) is an awesome game to play..

Not to mention that it has drop targets galore so it must be half decent to play.

For me drops are a must on pins.  :)

I have never had the pleasure of playing one but it has always captured my attention and i myself am thinking about getting one.  ;D

So i ask the same question as Creech...

[Strangeways]

Nino, I need a telescope to see your avatar.  ;D

Yes - I noticed... I MIGHT have a new one this weekend !

[markc]

nino can  have a look at mine  for you

[pinnies4me]

Played a few system 1's (my bestest love of all) but not Countdown. Love the theme, love the red-head, not sure about the playfield lay out - but if you can play it and like it, then buy it 'coz it's a system 1 !!

[Terry007]

^What he said.^

I havent met a System 1 that I didnt like!
Get em both Tony!

[Creech]

What is it about System 1's that make so many people like them? Reliability, feel, design. Dunno. I know most of them have a pretty high rating on IPDB.

[Terry007]

I think its because they were the highest evolution of EMs. Gameplay is excellent on almost all Sys1s. The graphics (pf and bg) are simple and comic book like with a very simple pallette of colours.
The flippers feel powerfull.
Certainly reliability (before mods) is woeful, but almost bullet proof after modding.
Finally its nostalgia. These were the machines that were in the arcades when I was an apprentice. I would have owned Gottlieb if pumping 20s in counted for anything!

[pinnies4me]

Couldn't have said it better myself Terry. They just have a great "feel", and some games (like Joker Poker and Asteroid Annie) have great strategies for scoring and excellent playfield lay outs. JP in particular has a wonderful assortment of drop target shots.

[Creech]

Thanks guys. I got my eyes on a Sinbad and Countdown so just need to decide between those 2. Both need a fair amount of work but that shouldn't be a problem for a certain someone (g'day Nino  ;))

I heard on Countdown you can replace the bings and bongs with a chime box too. The Sinbad already comes with chimes and it has those wacky double flippers too. Looks interesting.

[Strangeways]

Both games are great additions to a gamesroom as far as system ones are concerned. I can't split the two of them. I used to have a Sinbad, and it had a great playfield layout. Sinbad and Cleopatra looked great next to each other.