Gotcha

The Gotcha pinball machine, designed by Peter Unick and manufactured by Agamco, Inc. of Novi, Michigan, is a rare and enigmatic gem in the world of pinball history, with only about 100 units believed to have been made. According to information the manufacturer provided in 2015, the game was truly a family effort: Peter Unick came up with the idea, Don Suwinski handled R&D alongside him, Peter's son Dean and Don built the cabinets, daughter Dae did the circuit boards, and daughter Dani assembled the machines — likely in 1976 or 1977.

The gameplay features six flippers, four pop bumpers, and two turret plungers, with three circuit boards controlling the action. The machine's layout is characterized by a lack of playfield inserts, creating an open and unfettered playing experience. What truly sets Gotcha apart is its head-to-head design: two players compete simultaneously from opposite ends of the playfield, each with flipper buttons that control only the flippers facing their opponent, sharing a single ball and scoring only for shots made at the far end.

While the machine's theme remains undocumented, its use of three electromechanical chimes, one bell, and a buzzer for tilt adds to its sensory character. The manufacturer has stated that Gotcha's solid-state pinball scorer was among the first in the industry, though that claim hasn't been independently verified. Its scarcity and unusual competitive format have made Gotcha a genuinely interesting piece of pinball history for collectors and enthusiasts.