Singapore

Singapore, released by D. Gottlieb & Co. in 1978, represents an interesting transition period in pinball history as manufacturers were moving from electro-mechanical to solid-state systems. The machine capitalized on the exotic appeal of Southeast Asia during a time when international travel was becoming more accessible to middle-class Americans and Europeans.

The playfield design featured iconic Singapore landmarks and cultural elements, including the famous Merlion statue, traditional shophouses, and harbor scenes. As one of Gottlieb's early solid-state machines, Singapore incorporated modern electronic sound effects while maintaining the classic feel of late 1970s pinball gameplay. The machine typically featured four flippers and a multilevel playfield that created engaging shot combinations.

While not one of Gottlieb's most widely produced or commercially successful machines, Singapore holds historical significance as part of the company's initial wave of solid-state games. It helped establish some of the electronic features and gameplay elements that would become standard in later solid-state machines. The theme choice was notably ahead of its time, as Singapore was still developing into the global financial center it would later become.

The artwork and theme of Singapore reflected the growing Western fascination with Asian culture and economics during the late 1970s. Though production numbers are not definitively known, it's believed to be a relatively limited run machine, making surviving examples particularly interesting to collectors and pinball historians.