Dragon

The Dragon, designed by Ed Krynski and manufactured by Gottlieb in 1978, is a standout example of early electromechanical (EM) pinball design. Its fantasy theme, brought to life with artwork by Gordon Morison, brought a touch of magic to the pinball landscape, captivating players with its unique playfield features and mesmerizing spinning target.

A key innovation in the Dragon's gameplay is the spinning target, which rotates between a dragon image on one side and a fire image on the other. As it spins, the illusion created by this clever design appears to depict flames erupting from the dragon's mouth, adding an extra layer of whimsy to the game. The machine also features two flippers, two pop bumpers, a slingshot, and two vari-targets, giving players ample opportunities to build an end-of-ball bonus.

Gottlieb produced 508 units of the Dragon (69 domestic, 439 export), and the game was also released as a four-player solid-state version the same year. As one of Gottlieb's fantasy-themed EM machines of the late 1970s, the Dragon remains a fascinating piece of pinball history that continues to captivate enthusiasts with its unique blend of gameplay and design.