Arena

The Premier Technology (Gottlieb) Arena, released in June 1987, is an interesting entry in the System 80B era of solid-state pinball. Designed by Ray Tanzer with artwork by Constantino and Jeanine Mitchell and software by John Buras, it was produced in a confirmed run of 3,099 units. One of its most engaging aspects is its three-ball multiball, which adds an extra layer of excitement to the game.

The fantasy-themed translite is a distinctive combination of hand-drawn illustration and photography. The playfield features two flippers and a four-bank of drop targets, and, unusually, no pop bumpers at all. A unique feature of the Arena is its pair of detour gates: one between the right outlane and inlane, and another between the shooter lane and outlane. An aerial habitrail returns the ball to the shooter alley, and at times both gates open together to create a path that delivers the ball directly back to the right flipper.

The game's opening skill shot is known as "The Pit," lit by ten LEDs in the skill shot lane, a feature Premier would use again on 1990's 'Bell Ringer' and 1994's 'Bullseye'. Weighing in at a measured 233 pounds with legs, the Arena is a sturdy, cleverly engineered example of late-1980s Gottlieb design.