PlayMates, released by Gottlieb in 1963, stands as a quintessential artifact of the “Add-A-Ball” era, masterfully crafted by the legendary design duo of Ed Krynski and artist Art Stenholm. At a time when many jurisdictions looked askance at replay-based machines, this single-player gem offered a refreshing alternative: keep the game alive by earning extra balls rather than free credits. With a production run of only 500 units, it remains a sought-after piece for collectors who appreciate the tactile satisfaction of vintage electromechanical engineering and the charming, mid-century aesthetic that defines early Gottlieb classics.
The playfield layout is a masterclass in Krynski’s signature style, utilizing a pair of flippers to navigate a dense arrangement of four pop bumpers, two active kick-out holes, and a pair of rotating targets. These roto-targets serve as the heartbeat of the game, forcing players to time their shots with precision to knock down specific sequences and rack up points. The strategy relies heavily on controlled shooting to navigate the seven standup targets, which reward the tactical player with the “Add-A-Ball” feature that keeps the game in motion.
Visually, Art Stenholm’s work captures the era’s ethos of wholesome, lighthearted fun, perfectly complementing the machine’s theme of friendship and social play. Because it lacks the high-speed ramps and complex multiball modes of modern machines, PlayMates demands a different kind of discipline; you must learn the specific physics of the kick-out holes and master the rebound angles off the pop bumpers to keep your ball in play. It is a deceptively simple, high-stakes test of endurance that reminds us why the classic electromechanical era remains the foundation of the hobby.