Circle the globe — Gottlieb’s Around the World is an electromechanical two-player with a globe-trotting travel-and-outer-space theme, and it comes from the legendary team of designer Wayne Neyens and artist Roy Parker, one of the most beloved creative partnerships of pinball’s golden woodrail age. With reel scoring and a scarce confirmed run of just 800, it’s a handsome and uncommon early Gottlieb.
The layout is a busy, engaging spread with a distinctive quirk: a generous four flippers, three pop bumpers, a pair of slingshots, three standup targets, two rollover buttons, and — the standout feature — triple outlanes, an unusual configuration that ups the drain danger and demands a careful, alert player. Those four flippers open up extra attacking angles, while the mix of bumpers and slingshots keeps the ball lively and the three standups give clear objectives to work through. That triple-outlane setup is a genuinely distinctive bit of design, raising the stakes on ball control and rewarding a player who keeps a sharp eye on the drains.
Around the World is a lovely showcase of the celebrated Neyens-and-Parker team’s craft, pairing a globe-trotting theme with a satisfying, four-flipper layout and Parker’s warm artwork. With only 800 built, it’s a scarce find, and the travel motif gave Parker’s illustration a colorful, worldly canvas. For the collector who loves the golden age of EM pinball and its greatest creative teams, it’s a rewarding pursuit. Work those four flippers, mind that triple outlane, and journey around the globe. Some machines are treasured for their rarity and their legendary makers alike, and this Gottlieb travelogue is one of them. Pack your bags and drop a coin.