Arabian Knights

The Arabian Knights pinball machine, crafted by D. Gottlieb & Company in November 1953, is a charming gem from the golden age of electro-mechanical (EM) pinball design. Designed by Wayne Neyens with artwork by the legendary Roy Parker, it was produced in a confirmed run of 700 units. Its thoughtful design elements make it a fascinating piece for collectors and historians.

Key to its playability are the six gobble holes: lighting all six scores replays. What sets Arabian Knights apart is the clever selector knob on the front of the cabinet, which lets the player spot one, two, or three of the six gobble holes at the start of the game. The fewer holes spotted initially, the more replays are earned when all six become lit. This strategic risk-reward twist adds depth and replayability to an already engaging game built around two flippers, three pop bumpers, six passive bumpers, and two slingshots.

The Arabian Knights' artwork evokes a sense of exotic adventure, in keeping with its "Foreign Peoples" theme. A minor mystery surrounds the game: surviving examples have coin doors with artwork differing from the manufacturer's flyer, suggesting the production run may have used a generic-style coin door. As a Neyens/Parker collaboration from Gottlieb's early-1950s heyday, Arabian Knights is a fine piece of gaming history.