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.
No aliases
No relationships
No facts recorded
Black Hole machine in the auction is in real nice shape with functioning spinny wheel
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
Vintage pinball machine in parts graveyard; noted for good parts inventory
Gottlieb machine at Wet & Wild water park in Orlando where Josh had his first pinball memory discovering multiball mechanics as a child.
Game Barry Ousler was working on at Deep Root; remake concept with major mechanical changes (unknown details due to confidentiality); part of unfinished Deep Root pipeline
Widebody in tournament; lost to Wizard of Oz 70% to 30% in round three
Pinball machine; one of four original Pinball Arcade launch titles
Referenced for drop target physics behavior comparison
No contradictions detected
No linked glossary terms
Pinball table that took time to warm up on Chris but is now appreciated
Pinball Arcade table where gate collision issues originated; cited as source of long-standing physics bug affecting wire gates
Gottlieb pinball machine designed by John Buras; compared to Rack 'Em Up as more complex layout
Referenced as classic game with notable lower playfield; discussed as potential greatest lower playfield example
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
Classic machine at Press Start; brought by Kevin Woods from Pinnagogo; described as one of most gorgeous Black Holes
Gottlieb game; George plans to purchase and add to his game room lineup, replacing Paragon
Gottlieb System 1 pinball game; Humphrey has design paperwork for this title to aid System 80B chip decoding efforts
Pinball machine in premium auction room, excellent condition, playable with functioning spinny wheel
Gottlieb machine; Ron still hates it despite becoming a Gottlieb collector; Iron Maiden compared unfavorably but as 'almost as bad'
Classic EM game at Press Start; most-played game at venue; strong nostalgia appeal for 40-50yo players
Gottlieb pinball game; James Loflin's first repair assignment at Six Flags (causing power supply damage due to crossed wires)
Early pinball machine in Juniper's home; wide-body machine; difficult for young/short players to reach; first game in Juniper's household
1981 Gottlieb pinball machine; referenced as one of Griffin's favorite games to watch on YouTube
Gottlieb machine Zach is restoring; purchased MPU with switch matrix issues at Allentown flea market
Pinball machine at Papa facility; Ron dislikes it; had negative experience attempting multiball; criticized by Bruce as poor game design with unkind ball ejection
Classic Gottlieb pinball machine from late 1970s, owned by George Christian, referenced as favorite late-70s Gottlieb game
Pinball machine with spinning disc and LED effects, debated for inclusion but excluded from top 10
Gottlieb-licensed pinball title available on ToyShock device; cited as signature/recognizable game
Gottlieb game; licensing cleared; playfield reproduction available from CPR
#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
Gottlieb pinball from 1980s; recently acquired by Dennis's father as restoration project; motor non-functional, coil/gate issues
Pinball machine in Silverball Museum Delray Beach collection
Classic Gottlieb pinball machine; first title in Replicade: Minipins miniature line
Gottlieb pinball machine played during visit
Classic pinball table in TPA with significantly improved flipper angle tuning; Chris Franchi noted major improvement in target aiming accuracy after physics update
1981 Williams pinball machine played at tournament; features a well area that results in ball loss if drained
Pinball table with sunken playfield; Kinect made the depth perspective convincing on Arcooda cabinet
1981 Williams pinball machine, base playfield for Olivia and Katie's award-winning Disney-themed retheme featuring LCD screen, scoop mechanism, and custom rules
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
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.
Gottlieb pinball machine coming to Silver Ball Saloon, Bruce prefers it to Haunted House
Gottlieb pinball game; referenced as similar case to Orbiter 1 of outside designer bringing unconventional concept to manufacturer
Mentioned as example of well-executed lower playfield feature; hosts like the dangerous/high-consequence design.
Vintage Gottlieb machine; referenced as confusing for new players due to lack of visible start button (common on EM machines)
Gottlieb square-body pinball machine featured in Gottlieb Pack 1 for AtGames 4K; exhibits severe upscaling and geometry artifacts
Referenced as example of lower playfield design similar to Krull