Bowling Champ

Bowling Champ, designed by Harry Mabs with artwork by Roy Parker and manufactured by Gottlieb in February 1949, comes from the exciting first years of the flipper era. Flippers had been introduced by Gottlieb only a little over a year earlier, and it was Harry Mabs himself who invented them, so Bowling Champ represents its designer refining the very element he brought to the game. With a confirmed production run of 2,419 units, it was a solid seller for Gottlieb.

Gameplay features include two flippers, two pop bumpers, nine passive bumpers, and a kick-out hole, all working together to create an engaging experience. Notably, the game has no slingshots - a common feature on later machines - which gives the lower playfield a different, more open character and puts a premium on careful flipper work.

With its bowling alley aesthetic, Bowling Champ showcases the enduring appeal of sports themes in pinball design, joining a long line of bowling-themed games from Gottlieb and its competitors. Its place in the earliest years of flipper pinball makes it a pleasing find for enthusiasts and historians alike.