Machine Description

Gottlieb's 'Crossroads' was released during a transformative period in pinball history, as the industry was approaching the transition from electro-mechanical to solid-state technology. Released in the mid-1970s, this machine represented one of the later examples of classic EM pinball engineering before the digital revolution would forever change the industry.

The machine's theme appears to have been inspired by rural Americana, likely depicting a country crossroads setting that was popular during this era of pinball design. Like other EM games of its time, Crossroads would have featured mechanical score reels, relay-based logic systems, and the distinctive 'click and clack' sound of mechanical pinball operations that enthusiasts particularly cherish.

The gameplay would have followed the traditional EM format with relatively straightforward rules compared to modern machines, focusing on hitting specific targets and rollover switches to advance scores and potentially light special features. While specific production numbers are not well documented, machines from this era typically saw production runs between 2,000 to 4,000 units.

As one of the later EM machines, Crossroads serves as an important historical marker in pinball evolution, representing the culmination of nearly three decades of electro-mechanical pinball development before the industry's shift to solid-state electronics.