Cyclopes

The Cyclopes, a solid-state electronic pinball machine released by Game Plan in November 1985, is a fascinating piece of pinball history. Designed by Roger Sharpe - the writer and player famously associated with pinball's legalization history - with artwork by Seamus McLaughlin and software by Rehman Merchant, it was one of the final games from the Illinois manufacturer, with a confirmed production run of just 400 units.

One of the most notable aspects of the Cyclopes is its target-rich playfield: three flippers, a slingshot, twelve standup targets, two 4-bank drop target arrays, two spinning targets, two kick-out holes, and a messenger ball. A clever wrinkle is that behind each drop target sits a standup target, layering the shots and rewarding precision. Its fantasy theme draws on myth and legend, in keeping with the game's name.

A charming piece of trivia: in The Pinball Compendium 1982 to Present, Roger Sharpe states that depictions of both he and his wife appear on the backglass. Collectors have also noted that surviving games show different colors of drop targets, standup targets, and target stickers, and the reason for these variations remains unexplained. With its low production numbers and designer pedigree, the Cyclopes is a coveted find among enthusiasts of 1980s solid-state pinball.