Buckaroo

The Buckaroo, designed by Wayne Neyens with artwork by Roy Parker and manufactured by Gottlieb in June 1965, is a prime example of mid-1960s electro-mechanical pinball design at its peak. Its American West theme transports players to the dusty trails of the Wild West, complete with a mechanical backbox animation that brings the action to life as a horse kicks a cowboy - a signature novelty of the era. Gottlieb produced a confirmed 2,600 units, and also released an add-a-ball version of the game as 1965's 'Cow Poke'.

Gameplay on the Buckaroo is marked by its robust feature set, including two flippers, three pop bumpers, three passive bumpers, and two slingshots. The machine also boasts two roto-targets and a standup target, providing ample opportunities for players to rack up points. One of the Buckaroo's most intriguing features is its numbered sequence rule: lighting any four adjacent numbers in the 1 through 7 sequence awards a replay, making it possible to earn up to four replays through this feature alone.

The Buckaroo's Roy Parker artwork is a faithful representation of the American West, with a striking color scheme and detailed illustrations that evoke the spirit of the frontier. Its animated backbox, classic single-player wedge-head format, and Neyens-designed playfield make it a collectible piece for enthusiasts of Gottlieb's golden EM era.