Subway (Italy)

The 1966 Gottlieb Subway (Italian add-a-ball model) is a fascinating piece of pinball history, designed by Ed Krynski with art by Art Stenholm. Its city-living theme, brought to life through urban-inspired artwork, is a departure from the fantastical themes common in the era.

One of the standout features of Subway is its gameplay mechanics: two flippers and four pop bumpers create a fast-paced experience, while two passive bumpers, two slingshots, three standup targets, and a rollunder add layers of challenge. Its notably wide flipper gap requires players to time their shots carefully. The mechanical backbox animation of opening subway doors adds a unique, immersive touch. Subway and its U.S. replay counterpart, Cross Town, were the last Gottlieb games to use a manual ball-lift.

The design and art on Subway are representative of 1960s Gottlieb pinball aesthetics, with bold colors and stylized illustrations. Little is documented about the game's production numbers or original commercial performance, leaving much for enthusiasts and collectors to discover.