Lucky Strike

Lucky Strike, designed by Norm Clark and released by Williams in 1965, is a bowling-themed electromechanical (EM) pinball machine, one of 1,800 units produced. Its bowling motif is reflected throughout the game: ten rollover buttons are arranged like a set-up of bowling pins, and a mechanical backbox animation shows a bowling ball rolling toward the pins as players progress.

Gameplay on the Lucky Strike is built around two flippers, three pop bumpers, two kick-out holes, two ball kickers, and a set of three standup targets arranged to mirror the bowling-pin theme. An illuminated backglass marquee tracks the current ball in play via an extra score reel, and the game can be set for 3 or 5 ball play, with a maximum displayed score of 9,999 points.

The Lucky Strike's design and art are typical of mid-1960s Williams output, with a drop-down cabinet and clean, sport-themed graphics. Williams also released an add-a-ball version of the game the same year under the title Bowl-A-Strike. While relatively obscure today, Lucky Strike remains an interesting example of Williams' sports-themed EM output from the mid-1960s.