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: www.ipdb.org/m...

[@fieldlab4]

Awesome floroscan score displays

[@davideisemann7130]

The nice old flipper bats , drop targets , a Roto - target , a spinner , roll over lanes , old school pop bumpers , slingshots , and bonus count down unit aah just your typical EM without the chimes , score wheels , or credit wheel . But hell they had to transgress into the solid state era !

[@danmanx2]

I really love the EM version. Although, if I found this one I would probably bite on it! I love playing the VPX version. It looks like fun.

[@Paulywint]

I played the EM version of this game, but it actually had the sound effects instead of the chimes.

[@robfassi3297]

Was it at silverball in asbury

[@Paulywint]

@@robfassi3297 No, the last time I played that particular game was at a bar about 40 years ago

[@robfassi3297]

@@Paulywint wow that’s so cool!! The one I played was at the silverball in asbury park

[@douro20]

That was an option on the export version of the early EM games. This game was actually first released in France, oddly enough.

[@davidlineweaver7235]

I didn't notice this when I first played it decades ago, but it appears only the left slingshot is an actual slingshot, while the right one is just a rebound rubber -- perhaps to make the roto and drop targets harder to hit.