Merry-Go-Round

The Merry-Go-Round, designed by Wayne Neyens and manufactured by Gottlieb in 1960, is a nostalgic two-player EM machine built around an amusement-park theme. It also holds a small technical distinction: per IPDB notes, it was the first Gottlieb multi-player game built with steel rails (though a few units still used wooden rails).

The gameplay on the Merry-Go-Round is characterized by its "Round Robin" scoring disc, which adds an extra layer of strategy to the game. Players must time their shots carefully to maximize points, as the disc's rotating values will determine the reward for each gobble hole hit. The machine features a 3 or 5 ball play option and a maximum displayed score of 1,999 points per player. Additional unique elements include two flippers, three pop bumpers, two slingshots, and three rollover buttons.

From an aesthetic perspective, the Merry-Go-Round carries classic Gottlieb design elements suited to its amusement-park theme, with the "Round Robin" disc prominently displayed on the playfield. With only 750 units produced, it remains a relatively scarce example of Gottlieb's early-1960s output and continues to captivate enthusiasts with its unique gameplay mechanics and nostalgic charm.