Queen of the Nile — this is the electromechanical version of Gottlieb’s Cleopatra, wrapped in a historical theme built around the legendary Egyptian ruler, and it comes from the legendary team of designer Ed Krynski and artist Gordon Morison. With reel scoring and a confirmed run of 1,600, it holds a special place in history as the very first solid-state-era Gottlieb design to also appear in this EM form — a handsome, popular woodrail classic.
The strategy has real depth. Line up each top-lane color with its matching drop target to build your bonus, and note that the scoops on the left and right sides award double bonus — valuable targets to prioritize. If the star rollovers are registering, milk the outer loops, each worth a lucrative 5,000 points for every rollover. Knocking the center drops down reveals a 5,000-point target that can be milked repeatedly, and depending on settings, the left and right saucers may spot the colored bonus lights. With three pop bumpers, three standups, and a five-bank of drops, there’s a well-appointed field to work while you chase that bonus.
This EM Cleopatra is a fine showcase of the celebrated Krynski-and-Morison team’s craft, pairing an evergreen ancient-Egypt theme with a satisfying, color-matching bonus strategy and Morison’s warm artwork. (Note that several manufacturers built machines named Cleopatra, so collectors should mind which one they’re chasing.) For the collector who loves the golden age of EM pinball and its greatest creative teams, it’s a rewarding find. Match those lane colors, milk the outer loops for 5,000 a rollover, and reign as queen of the Nile. Some machines reward a smart, methodical approach, and this Gottlieb Cleopatra is one of them. Rule the ancient world and drop a coin.