Target Pool

Target Pool, released by Chicago Coin in the late 1960s, represents a fascinating intersection between pinball and billiards during an era when manufacturers were experimenting with hybrid arcade concepts. The machine cleverly incorporated pool-themed elements into traditional pinball gameplay, capitalizing on the massive popularity of billiards during this period.

The gameplay centered around a unique layout featuring targets arranged to simulate pool balls, with players attempting to 'pocket' shots by hitting specific combinations. This design philosophy reflected the broader trend of theme-integration in pinball machines of the era, while maintaining the core electro-mechanical gameplay that defined machines of this period.

While not as widely remembered as some of its contemporaries, Target Pool exemplified Chicago Coin's innovative approach to arcade game design during the company's later years. The machine emerged during a transitional period in pinball history, just before the electronic revolution would fundamentally transform the industry in the mid-1970s. Its release coincided with the tail end of the electro-mechanical era, making it one of the last purely mechanical designs before solid-state technology began to dominate the market.