Aces & Kings

Aces & Kings is a fascinating example of classic electro-mechanical pinball from Williams Electronics, one of the most iconic manufacturers in the industry's history. Released in June 1970 and designed by the legendary Steve Kordek, this four-player game holds a genuine historical distinction: it marks the first use of the playfield spinner by a U.S. manufacturer, a device that had previously appeared only in French pinball machines and would go on to become a staple of pinball design.

Gameplay-wise, Aces & Kings boasts a well-appointed layout, including two flippers, three pop bumpers, two slingshots, eight standup targets, and two kick-out holes. The machine also incorporates spinning posts and an up-post between the flippers, adding a layer of complexity to the gameplay. Operators could set the game for 3 or 5 ball play, the maximum displayed point score is 9,999 points per player, and the replay wheel registers up to 37 credits, with sound from a single bell and a knocker.

The game's backglass and playfield reflect the cards and gambling theme that was a perennial favorite in pinball. The artist is not definitively known, though the artwork has intriguing connections to the Advertising Posters studio shared by Christian Marche and Gordon Morison. Williams records confirm a total of 4,153 units produced, the majority for export, making Aces & Kings a reasonably common but historically noteworthy piece of early-1970s Williams output.