Surfer

The Surfer pinball machine, designed by Ed Krynski and released in November 1976 by Gottlieb, arrived during the final years of Gottlieb's electromechanical era, shortly before the company's shift to solid-state technology. It is the two-player counterpart to Gottlieb's four-player Surf Champ, released the same year.

Gameplay on the Surfer features two flippers, two pop bumpers, and two slingshots for fast-paced action. A 5-bank drop target offers a shooting-gallery-style challenge, while a spinning target adds unpredictability. An end-of-ball bonus rewards accumulated points, and the maximum displayed score is 99,990 points per player.

The design and art on the Surfer are quintessential 1970s Gottlieb, with bright colors and dynamic graphics by Gordon Morison evoking the carefree spirit of surfing culture. With 2,809 units confirmed produced, the Surfer remains a collectible piece of mid-1970s EM pinball history.