El Dorado

The El Dorado pinball machine, designed by Ed Krynski with artwork by Gordon Morison and manufactured by D. Gottlieb & Company in 1975, is a celebrated example of late electro-mechanical (EM) design. Its drop-target-heavy layout proved so strong that Gottlieb reused the playfield in numerous variants, including the add-a-ball versions Gold Strike and Lucky Strike, the 4-player Target Alpha, the France-only Canada Dry, and the 2-player Solar City. The layout was even revived a decade later as Premier's 1984 four-player El Dorado City of Gold.

The gameplay on El Dorado features four flippers and an impressive array of targets, including a 10-bank of drop targets, a 5-bank of drop targets, two standup targets, and two pop bumpers. Two slingshots add a dynamic element, requiring players to time their shots strategically. One distinctive detail is the half-moon credit window, and the replay wheel counts up to a maximum of 9. With a confirmed production run of 2,875 units, this single-player replay version found a solid audience.

Design-wise, the machine's Western theme is carried by Gordon Morison's artwork, part of Gottlieb's strong visual identity of the mid-1970s. El Dorado's enduring reputation among players and the many variants built on its playfield underscore how engaging this Krynski design remains.