Harbor Lites

Harbor Lites, released by D. Gottlieb & Company in February 1956, marks a small but notable milestone in the company's evolution. It was the first Gottlieb single-player game to feature a metal apron (score card holder), although the ball shooter gauge was still red plastic. The game also introduced Gottlieb's "center score" target - a bullseye target allowing separate rewards for hitting the target's center versus its outer ring.

The gameplay experience on Harbor Lites is characterized by its robust electro-mechanical (EM) design, which includes two flippers, three pop bumpers, and three passive bumpers. Slingshots, four bullseye targets, two kickers, and a gobble hole add to the game's kinetic energy, and there is a solitary metal pin in the gap between the flippers. The playfield layout is the same as Chicago Coin's 1956 'Blondie'.

Designed by the prolific Wayne Neyens with artwork by Roy Parker, Harbor Lites carries a water sports theme, and its backglass bears Gottlieb's famous slogan: "Amusement Pinballs, as American as Baseball and Hot Dogs!" With a confirmed production run of 1,500 units and its blend of innovative touches and mid-1950s charm, Harbor Lites remains a rewarding find for collectors and enthusiasts seeking a piece of pinball's rich heritage.