Scuba

Gottlieb's 'Scuba' pinball machine, released in 1970, captured the growing public fascination with underwater exploration and recreational diving that characterized the late 1960s and early 1970s. The machine arrived during a period when scuba diving was becoming increasingly accessible to the general public, and ocean-themed entertainment like 'The Undersea World of Jacques Cousteau' was at its peak of popularity.

The playfield design featured vibrant underwater imagery including divers, fish, coral reefs, and treasure chests. As an electro-mechanical machine, Scuba utilized the classic components of the era including mechanical reels, chimes, and bells to create its underwater atmosphere. The game incorporated several innovative features for its time, including a multi-ball capability and special scoring zones themed around underwater exploration.

While not one of Gottlieb's most widely-produced or famous machines, Scuba represented an important entry in the company's diverse portfolio of themed pinball games. It helped establish underwater themes as a viable concept for pinball design, influencing later aquatic-themed machines across the industry. The machine's artwork and theme appealed to both pinball enthusiasts and the growing scuba diving community, making it a noteworthy piece of both pinball and diving culture history.