Hit the Deck

Hit the Deck, designed by John Osborne and produced by Gottlieb in 1978, is a late gem from the final years of electro-mechanical pinball. Released as the industry was shifting to solid-state technology, this single-player, mythology-themed game (model 411) had a confirmed production run of just 577 units, making it a genuinely uncommon find. Collectors may also know its add-a-ball sibling: the same game was released in 1978 as Gottlieb's Neptune, which was exported to Italy as Poseidon.

The playfield offers a classic late-EM feature set: two flippers, three pop bumpers, two slingshots, six star rollovers, two kick-out holes, two standup targets, and an upper-left kickback lane that gives players a satisfying save opportunity. The game is housed in Gottlieb's familiar wedge-head cabinet and could be converted to add-a-ball operation.

With artwork by Gordon Morison, Gottlieb's prolific staff artist of the 1970s, and a mythological theme in keeping with its Neptune and Poseidon siblings, Hit the Deck is a handsome representative of the golden age of EM design. As one of the last electro-mechanical games Gottlieb produced before committing to solid state, it is sure to appeal to enthusiasts who appreciate the mechanical charm of the pre-digital era.