Surf Side

Surf Side, released by D. Gottlieb & Co. in 1969, emerged during the height of the surf culture craze that dominated American pop culture throughout the 1960s. This electro-mechanical pinball machine captured the essence of the beach lifestyle that had been popularized by the Beach Boys, surf movies, and the growing California beach scene.

The machine's design featured classic beach and surfing imagery, with artwork depicting surfers riding waves, beach scenes, and tropical elements. As an electro-mechanical game, Surf Side utilized the traditional scoring mechanics of the era, with mechanical reels and chimes providing feedback to players. The playfield likely included standard features of the period such as pop bumpers, slingshots, and various scoring targets, all themed around the surfing motif.

Surf Side represented Gottlieb's ability to tap into popular culture trends of the time, offering players an escape into the idealized world of surf culture. While not necessarily one of Gottlieb's most groundbreaking titles, it holds historical significance as a representation of how pinball manufacturers incorporated contemporary themes into their machines during the golden age of electro-mechanical pinball. The machine stands as a time capsule of both pinball history and American pop culture of the late 1960s.