Tropic Isle

The Tropic Isle, manufactured by Gottlieb in April 1962, is a notable example of early-1960s electromechanical (EM) pinball design. The game's designer, Wayne Neyens, brought a sense of escapism to the table with its Hawaii-themed backglass artwork by Roy Parker. During engineering, the game was reportedly known internally as 'Monkey Shines' before David Gottlieb had the name changed to Tropic Isle.

Gameplay on Tropic Isle is characterized by its use of two flippers, four pop bumpers, and two slingshots, providing players with a range of ways to navigate the playfield, along with four standup targets and a 3-sided rollunder. One of the most distinctive features is the backglass animation of three lighted monkeys climbing a tree: the first monkey to the top awards one replay, the second awards one or two more (operator adjustable), and the third awards three more -- a feature that carries over from game to game.

Tropic Isle's design and art are quintessential examples of 1960s pinball aesthetic, with bright colors and playful illustrations. The maximum displayed point score is 1,999 points, and end-of-ball bonus scores 20 or 200 points when lit. Unlike other Gottlieb games of the period, Tropic Isle offers no option for 3-ball play, making its unique combination of gameplay features and nostalgic charm an attractive find for collectors and enthusiasts alike.