Head for the Ponderosa — Gottlieb’s Bonanza is an electromechanical two-player that ropes in the classic western TV show as its theme, and it comes from the legendary team of designer Ed Krynski and artist Roy Parker, two of the most cherished names in Gottlieb’s golden woodrail age. With reel scoring and a confirmed run of 2,640, it’s a handsome early machine celebrating one of television’s most beloved westerns.
The layout is a lively, engaging spread: two flippers, three pop bumpers, three passive bumpers, a pair of slingshots, four standup targets, and a rollover button. That combination of pop and passive bumpers promises a bouncy, unpredictable ball that demands active nudging, while the four standups give a player clear objectives to work through and the rollover button adds another scoring opportunity. It’s a clean, well-balanced design in the classic Gottlieb mold, built to deliver the honest, chiming pleasures that made these machines such enduring favorites, all in service of its popular western-TV theme.
Bonanza is a fine showcase of the Krynski-and-Parker craft, pairing a beloved television western with a satisfying, bumper-and-target playfield and Parker’s warm artwork. The Bonanza show was a cultural staple, and tying a pinball machine to it was a savvy bit of theming that gave the game instant appeal. For the collector who loves the golden age of EM pinball and its greatest creative talents, it’s a rewarding find. Ride those bumpers, work the four standups, and head for the Ponderosa. Some machines capture the spirit of their pop-culture moment, and this Gottlieb western classic rides tall in the saddle. Saddle up and drop a coin.