1978 Gottlieb CLOSE ENCOUNTERS OF THE THIRD KIND pinball machine

For your viewing pleasure we have here today a 1978 Gottlieb Close Encounters of the Third Kind pinball machine.

This machine was released in both solid state and electromechanical versions as Gottlieb still believed that there was a market for EM's in mid-to-late 1978.

The rules of the machine are basic but challenging; spot the ABC lanes at the top to increase the the roto target values and light the "star" targets for extra ball and special. Scoring the extra ball and special is made that much more challenging by the fact that one must ensure that the star is showing on the roto target and in the correct place. Completing the drop targets increases the bonus multiplier and adds 5 bonuses, as well as lighting the extra ball and special. Hitting the stationary target on the left side lights the spinner.

Anyway, going for the extra ball and special on the roto target is fun, the drops are challenging and the spinner shot to the top is satisfying. Overall, this is a moderately fun machine from Gottlieb and could be much worse. The big goofy alien on the playfield takes some getting used to but even that is mildly charming.

Close Encounters was designed by the late/great Ed Krynski with artwork by the also late/also great Gordon Morison.

For more information about this machine, see here: https://www.ipdb.org/machine.cgi?id=536