Journalist Tool

Kineticist

  • HDashboard
  • IItems
  • ↓Ingest
  • SSources
  • KBeats
  • BBriefs
  • RIntel
  • QSearch
  • AActivity
  • +Health
  • ?Guide

v0.1.0

← All beats

Pinball

/pinball

DashboardKnowledge Base2772IntelligenceTools1SettingsChangelog
← Back to KB

Black Hole

gameactive33 mentionsFirst seen Mar 16, 2007Last seen Apr 6, 2026

Profile

Black Hole is a classic Gottlieb electromechanical (EM) pinball machine known for its innovative lower playfield design, which influenced later machines like Krull. As a vintage Gottlieb release, it exemplifies the design challenges of early pinball machines, particularly the lack of visible start buttons that could confuse modern players accustomed to contemporary conventions. The game has been digitally preserved in modern pinball simulation platforms, though digital versions exhibit upscaling artifacts typical of older arcade conversions.

Aliases

No aliases

Relationships

No relationships

Facts

No facts recorded

Claims (2)

  • factualhigh

    Black Hole machine in the auction is in real nice shape with functioning spinny wheel

    Source: Mike DusINSANE Retro Auction! Pinball Machines, Arcade Games & Vintage Treasures Everywhere!
  • factualhigh

    Black Hole was designed by three college engineers named Jerry, Joe, and Jim who conceived it on a napkin at Brothers Brown bar in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania

    Source: Eric SelakCritical Mass with Eric Selak

Recent Mentions (33)

  • Pre-System 80A Gottlieb game (System 80 era); designer credit disputed between 'Adolph Seitz Jr.' and 'Shing Lam' across databases; likely source designer for Going Nuts prototype

    Episode 115 - The Age of Desperation and Innovation: Gottlieb System 80AApr 6, 2026
  • Classic machine at Press Start; brought by Kevin Woods from Pinnagogo; described as one of most gorgeous Black Holes

    The Spinner Is Lit - Episode 49 Summer VacationJul 13, 2022
  • Gottlieb game; George plans to purchase and add to his game room lineup, replacing Paragon

    # 17 - Thanksgiving Show - The Classic Pinball PodcastNov 26, 2019
  • Gottlieb System 1 pinball game; Humphrey has design paperwork for this title to aid System 80B chip decoding efforts

    Episode-12-Gottlieb system 1 breakdown part 2 Dave Humphrey of ni-wumpfAug 28, 2022
  • Pinball machine in premium auction room, excellent condition, playable with functioning spinny wheel

    INSANE Retro Auction! Pinball Machines, Arcade Games & Vintage Treasures Everywhere!Mar 7, 2026
  • Gottlieb machine; Ron still hates it despite becoming a Gottlieb collector; Iron Maiden compared unfavorably but as 'almost as bad'

Contradictions

No contradictions detected

Related Glossary Terms

No linked glossary terms

Episode 113 – Ron Loves Star Wars
Oct 24, 2018
  • Classic EM game at Press Start; most-played game at venue; strong nostalgia appeal for 40-50yo players

    The Spinner Is Lit - Episode 50 Wow, 50Sep 18, 2022
  • Gottlieb pinball game; James Loflin's first repair assignment at Six Flags (causing power supply damage due to crossed wires)

    TOPCast 15: James LoflinMar 16, 2007
  • Early pinball machine in Juniper's home; wide-body machine; difficult for young/short players to reach; first game in Juniper's household

    The Spinner is Lit - Episode 8: The Lady Has SkillsJul 16, 2017
  • 1981 Gottlieb pinball machine; referenced as one of Griffin's favorite games to watch on YouTube

    #46 Space Riders (Atari) - The Classic Pinball PodcastFeb 8, 2021
  • Gottlieb machine Zach is restoring; purchased MPU with switch matrix issues at Allentown flea market

    Episode 90 – Up With The HornsMay 9, 2018
  • Pinball machine at Papa facility; Ron dislikes it; had negative experience attempting multiball; criticized by Bruce as poor game design with unkind ball ejection

    Episode 3 – Freedom Firewood?Jul 25, 2016
  • Classic Gottlieb pinball machine from late 1970s, owned by George Christian, referenced as favorite late-70s Gottlieb game

    Theater of Magic (Bally 1995)Jan 27, 2020
  • Pinball machine with spinning disc and LED effects, debated for inclusion but excluded from top 10

    SDTM: a pinball Show Episode 11: Top 10 BackglassesApr 11, 2017
  • Gottlieb-licensed pinball title available on ToyShock device; cited as signature/recognizable game

    ToyShock 3/4 Scale Virtual Pinball - Is it worth it?Dec 10, 2019
  • Gottlieb game; licensing cleared; playfield reproduction available from CPR

    Mirco Steffen - Pinball Expo 2018 - Pinball NewsOct 23, 2018
  • #12 seed in Widebody Tournament; defeated Hobbit (#5 seed) in 50-50 tie requiring coin toss; advances to face Wizard of Oz in Round 3

    Episode 28 - A Triforce of SegmentsFeb 13, 2017
  • Gottlieb pinball from 1980s; recently acquired by Dennis's father as restoration project; motor non-functional, coil/gate issues

    Episode 246 - What if Gottlieb & Williams Returned?May 25, 2025
  • Pinball machine in Silverball Museum Delray Beach collection

    SILVERBALL MUSEUM DELRAY BEACHNov 8, 2016
  • Classic Gottlieb pinball machine; first title in Replicade: Minipins miniature line

    NEW MINIATURE PINBALLSJan 16, 2024
  • Gottlieb pinball machine played during visit

    Barcade - Newark, NJ (December 2019)Dec 1, 2019
  • Classic pinball table in TPA with significantly improved flipper angle tuning; Chris Franchi noted major improvement in target aiming accuracy after physics update

    Forum Questions Part 2Sep 1, 2015
  • 1981 Williams pinball machine played at tournament; features a well area that results in ball loss if drained

    Focus!Jun 11, 2017
  • Pinball table with sunken playfield; Kinect made the depth perspective convincing on Arcooda cabinet

    Arcooda Cabinet Hands-onJun 25, 2018
  • 1981 Williams pinball machine, base playfield for Olivia and Katie's award-winning Disney-themed retheme featuring LCD screen, scoop mechanism, and custom rules

    Episode 221: Olivia & Kayden HelmOct 4, 2019
  • 1981 Gottlieb pinball machine designed by Jerry, Joe, and Jim; two-level playfield game; commercial success; earned designers over $1 million in royalties; became licensed replicade miniature by New Wave Toys

    Critical Mass with Eric SelakFeb 7, 2025
  • Gottlieb wide-body from early 1980s; known as high-maintenance, unpopular with operators; subject of Dennis's current restoration project with father; requires motor/fuse investigation.

    The Pinball Show Ep 176: Another Jaws? Another Star Wars? Another Tales Of The Arabian Nights?May 19, 2025
  • Gottlieb pinball machine coming to Silver Ball Saloon, Bruce prefers it to Haunted House

    Episode 246: Friday Night friendsMar 1, 2020
  • Gottlieb pinball game; referenced as similar case to Orbiter 1 of outside designer bringing unconventional concept to manufacturer

    Episode 38 - Die on this Hill: Orbitor 1Jul 8, 2024
  • Mentioned as example of well-executed lower playfield feature; hosts like the dangerous/high-consequence design.

    Episode 56 - One Year Anniversary Q+ANov 11, 2024
  • Vintage Gottlieb machine; referenced as confusing for new players due to lack of visible start button (common on EM machines)

    Episode 288: TWIP Pinball UniversityNov 26, 2020
  • Gottlieb square-body pinball machine featured in Gottlieb Pack 1 for AtGames 4K; exhibits severe upscaling and geometry artifacts

    Gottlieb Packs 1 and 2 review PLUS PinFX Universal TV Tables!Apr 15, 2024
  • Referenced as example of lower playfield design similar to Krull

    Ep 18: Double FeatureSep 21, 2019