Q*Bert's Quest

Q*Bert, designed by John Trudeau and released by Gottlieb in March 1983, is a widebody solid-state machine built on the Gottlieb System 80A platform. It holds an interesting place in pinball history as a tie-in to the hit 1982 arcade video game of the same name.

The gameplay of Q*Bert is characterized by four flippers, allowing players to navigate the ball through challenging lanes and targets. The machine features two pop bumpers, two 2-bank drop targets, seven standup targets, and kicker lanes, offering a dynamic and engaging experience. Sound and music were handled by Craig Beierwaltes and David Thiel, with artwork by David Moore and Terry Doerzaph.

With only 884 confirmed units produced, Q*Bert lacks a story-driven theme, instead focusing on fast-paced shots and target combinations -- a straightforward, action-focused design that made it a solid, if lesser-known, entry in Gottlieb's early-1980s widebody lineup.