Roller Coaster

Gottlieb's 'Roller Coaster' from 1971 emerged during the golden age of electro-mechanical pinball machines, capturing the thrilling essence of amusement park attractions in pinball form. This classic machine represented a period when Gottlieb dominated the pinball industry with their reliable and engaging designs.

The machine's design brilliantly incorporated the roller coaster theme through its playfield layout and artwork, featuring tracks, hills, and carnival imagery that resonated with players. As an electro-mechanical machine, it utilized relay-based score keeping and chime units for sound effects, creating that distinctive mechanical symphony that characterized pinball machines of this era.

Released during a time when pinball was still banned in many major U.S. cities (including New York until 1976), 'Roller Coaster' exemplified the family-friendly themes that manufacturers used to improve pinball's public image. The amusement park theme helped position pinball as legitimate entertainment rather than gambling devices. The machine's success contributed to Gottlieb's strong market position in the early 1970s, just before the industry's transition to solid-state electronics.

While production numbers aren't publicly documented, 'Roller Coaster' remains a sought-after collector's piece, representing a pivotal moment in pinball history when mechanical engineering reached its peak, just before the electronic revolution would transform the industry forever.