Black Gold

Black Gold, designed by Steve Kordek and released on September 24, 1975 by Williams Electronics, is a notable rarity among electro-mechanical (EM) pinball machines: only 55 units were confirmed produced, making it one of the scarcest Williams games of the decade. It also carries the pedigree of Steve Kordek, one of pinball's most prolific and influential designers.

Key gameplay features of this single-player game include two flippers, two pop bumpers, two slingshots, four drop targets, two standup targets, and a kick-out hole, offering players a challenging and rewarding experience. The game's theme is oil drilling and exploration, and it features an end-of-ball bonus that adds an extra layer of strategy to the gameplay. The maximum displayed point score is 199,990 points, and the sound package consists of three chimes and a knocker - the classic voice of the electro-mechanical era.

Released in the mid-1970s, just a few years before solid-state electronics transformed the industry, Black Gold captures Williams' EM craftsmanship near the end of that technology's reign. Its combination of a tiny production run, a veteran designer, and satisfying drop-target gameplay makes it an especially attractive find for collectors seeking something genuinely uncommon.