8 Ball

The 8 Ball pinball machine, designed by Norm Clark and manufactured by Williams in 1966, is a significant electro-mechanical (EM) game with a clever take on the traditional billiards theme. Built for two players with a confirmed production run of 3,250 units, it showcases Williams' willingness to push the boundaries of what EM technology could do, notably by implementing playfield "memory" that tracked each player's progress separately using alternating step-up units.

The gameplay of 8 Ball is centered around earning billiard balls in sequence: player 1 shoots to light all the solid balls while player 2 shoots to light all the stripes, with backglass light animation tracking each player's progress. Lighting all of a player's balls illuminates "Shoot for 8 ball" and lights the horseshoe lane; making the 8 ball there awards an extra ball. This is a carry-over feature from ball to ball, which was innovative for a multi-player EM game of its time. Other features include two flippers, four pop bumpers, two passive bumpers, two slingshots, two kick-out holes, a standup target, and an unusual pop bumper placed between the flippers.

Design-wise, 8 Ball stands out with its illuminated backglass marquee, drop-down cabinet, and attention to detail in the artwork. The billiard players on the backglass wear cufflinks bearing the initials "N.C." and "S.K.", a probable nod to designers Norm Clark and Steve Kordek — identical cufflinks later appeared on the backglasses of Williams' 1971 Planets and Zodiac. As an inventive mid-1960s two-player game, 8 Ball offers a fascinating glimpse into the evolution of EM design at Williams.