North Star

North Star, released by D. Gottlieb & Co. in 1964, represents a classic example of electro-mechanical pinball design during the golden age of mechanical pinball machines. The machine's space and celestial theme capitalized on the intense public interest in space exploration during the height of the Space Race between the United States and Soviet Union.

The playfield design featured a relatively clean and straightforward layout typical of early 1960s pinball machines, with standup targets, roll-over switches, and the traditional scoring reels of the electro-mechanical era. The art package highlighted the North Star theme with cosmic imagery and stellar formations, reflecting the astronomical motif that was popular during this period of pinball history.

As an electro-mechanical machine, North Star operated entirely through a complex system of relays, switches, and solenoids, without any electronic components. The scoring system utilized mechanical reels, and gameplay focused on hitting specific targets to advance bonus multipliers and achieve high scores. While not one of Gottlieb's most famous titles from this era, North Star represents the solid engineering and reliability that made Gottlieb machines popular in arcades and locations during the 1960s.