Machine Description

The 'Arcade' pinball machine, released by Gottlieb around 1980, emerged during a pivotal transition period in pinball history when solid-state electronics were becoming the industry standard. This machine cleverly capitalized on the booming arcade culture of the early 1980s, featuring artwork and themes that celebrated the very environment where it would be placed - the arcade itself.

The machine's design likely incorporated references to classic arcade imagery, including various gaming elements and entertainment center motifs. This self-referential approach was relatively unique for its time, as most pinball machines focused on specific themes like sports, movies, or fantasy concepts. The playfield would have featured standard elements of early solid-state era machines, including drop targets, pop bumpers, and possibly a multiball feature.

While specific production numbers are not readily verifiable, 'Arcade' represents an interesting piece of pinball history that bridges the gap between the electro-mechanical classics and the more sophisticated solid-state machines that would define the 1980s. Its theme serves as a time capsule of the golden age of arcade gaming, when pinball machines shared floor space with the emerging video game cabinets that would soon dominate the industry.