Aquarius

Aquarius, designed by Ed Krynski with artwork by Art Stenholm, was manufactured by D. Gottlieb & Company in October 1970, with a confirmed production run of 2,025 units. Its astrology theme tapped into the zodiac craze of the era, when "the Age of Aquarius" was a household phrase.

Gameplay on Aquarius is built around a classic Gottlieb single-player layout: two flippers, three pop bumpers, two slingshots, ten standup targets, and five kick-out holes. Players work a challenging combination of shots to build their score, which maxes out at a displayed 9,999 points, with the replay wheel topping out at 15. The game's sounds come from three chimes and a knocker, the signature audio of the EM era.

A neat design quirk: four flipper-shaped plastics at the top of the playfield are used as stationary ball guides. For fans of Krynski's prolific work at Gottlieb, Aquarius is a solid example of the company's early-1970s wedgehead-era craftsmanship.