Mario Andretti
About This Machine
The Mario Andretti pinball machine, released in December 1995 by Premier Technology (using the Gottlieb trade name), was the last game designed by Jon Norris for Gottlieb. Licensed to the legendary IndyCar driver, it is an auto-racing-themed machine on the Gottlieb System 3 platform, with 1,120 units confirmed produced.
Gameplay features are where Mario Andretti stands out, boasting an unusual array of mechanical elements. The Spinning Car Unit is particularly noteworthy: a non-motorized aerial rod with a toy car mounted on each end that spins when struck by the ball, or can be driven electrically in either direction via three solenoids, creating unpredictable movement. Three 2-digit displays track fuel, laps, and car position, and the game also includes three ramps, two habitrails, a captive ball, a horseshoe lane, and two VUKs feeding a Pit Stop hole -- one of which requires five balls in play (four in the trough plus the captive ball).
With its racing theme and distinctive Spinning Car mechanic, Mario Andretti stands as a memorable late-era Gottlieb title and a fitting capstone to designer Jon Norris's work for the company.
Images (24)
Technical Details
- Theme:
- Sports - Auto Racing
- Model Number:
- 747
- MPU:
- Gottlieb System 3
- Toys:
- Two race cars.
- Notable Features:
- Flippers (2), Pop bumpers (3), Slingshots (2), Ramps (3, one is in shooter lane), Habitrails (2), Aerial spinning posts, Up-post between flippers, Mini up-post above pop bumpers, Captive ball (1), Horseshoe lane (1), VUKs (2, one above pop bumpers that shoots ball into pop bumpers, one at Pit Stop hole), Cellar hole below pop bumpers feeds Pit Stop VUK, Left ramp diverter, Left outlane kickback, Right outlane detour gate. Three 2-digit 7-segment displays at back-left playfield above the left ramp entrance show status for fuel, number of laps, and car position. The Spinning Car Unit, a style of spinning posts, is an aerial rod that spins around a center point. A toy car is mounted on top of each end of the rod and below each car is a rubbered post hanging low enough to come in contact with the ball in play. This unit is not motorized; it spins by being hit by the ball in play or can be electrically rotated in either direction by three standard solenoids in a triangle configuration under the playfield with linkages between each that can make the spinner move in odd ways. Balls required: 5 (4 in trough, 1 captive).
Credits
- Designer:
- Jon Norris
- Artist:
- Constantino Mitchell, Jeanine Mitchell
- Music:
- Duane Decker
- Sound:
- Craig Beierwaltes
- Dots/Animation:
- Scott Melchionda