Five Star Final

The Five Star Final, manufactured by D. Gottlieb & Company in August 1932, is an early example of a Pure Mechanical (PM) pinball game, sold as a non-commercial home/countertop model. Its compact size and lightweight design -- weighing only about 20 pounds, and measuring roughly 28.5 by 15.5 inches -- make it an intriguing piece to study for enthusiasts of the game's earliest years.

The Five Star Final's gameplay is notable for its 'Figure 8' playfield layout, guiding the ball through a looping path by mechanical means alone -- no electrical components, flippers, or bumpers were involved, as this predates those innovations by years. Players could play up to 10 balls per game, offering a longer session than many contemporaries.

Little is known about the design or theme of this early machine, and it does not appear to have distinctive artwork or branding associated with it. Despite its relative obscurity, the Five Star Final remains an artifact worth noting in pinball's history, illustrating the game's roots as a simple mechanical parlor amusement before it evolved into the machines that followed.