Prospector

The Prospector pinball machine, released by Gottlieb in 1974, captured the romanticized spirit of the American Gold Rush era during a time when electro-mechanical pinball machines were reaching their technological peak. This four-player machine featured richly detailed artwork celebrating the Old West mining theme, complete with prospectors, mining equipment, and gold-filled landscapes.

The machine's gameplay emphasized the mining theme through its scoring architecture and playfield design. Notable features included mine shaft-themed standup targets, gold nugget drop targets, and what players nicknamed the 'mine cart' spinner. The game's scoring system was designed around mining terminology, with players working their way up from 'prospector' to 'mine owner' status through skillful play.

Prospector came during a pivotal period in pinball history, representing one of the last waves of electro-mechanical machines before the industry's transition to solid-state electronics. While not as widely distributed as some of Gottlieb's other titles from this era, Prospector has gained appreciation among collectors for its artistic presentation and classic EM gameplay mechanics. The machine's attention to thematic detail and reliable mechanical design exemplified Gottlieb's reputation for quality during the 1970s.