Big Shot

Big Shot, designed by Ed Krynski with artwork by Gordon Morison, was manufactured by Gottlieb in January 1974. This two-player electro-mechanical game carries a billiards theme, and its playfield is built around the pool motif: completing the numbered sequence 1 through 8 or 8 through 15 lights special targets alternately, echoing a game of pool.

The layout features two flippers, one pop bumper, two slingshots, two 7-bank drop target assemblies, two standup targets, a kick-out hole, and a right outlane ball return gate. The end-of-ball bonus awards 1,000 points for each ball lit in the center playfield rack, with double or triple bonus available on the last two balls in play. The game shipped in Gottlieb's classic wedge head cabinet and could be set for 3 or 5 ball play.

A confirmed 2,900 units were produced. Big Shot is part of a family of related Gottlieb pool games: the 4-player version is 1973's 'Hot Shot', and the single-player add-a-ball version is 1973's 'Pro Pool' (made for Italy as 1972's 'Play Pool'). With Krynski's layout and Morison's artwork, it reflects the polished craftsmanship of Gottlieb's golden EM era.