Gottlieb’s Sure Shot, released in 1976, racks up a billiards theme on a classic wedge-head playfield, delivering the clean, skill-focused gameplay that made the company’s mid-70s output so beloved. Designed by the legendary Ed Krynski with artwork by Gordon Morison, it pairs pool-hall styling with a tidy layout of standup targets, pop bumpers, and twin kick-out holes built around an end-of-ball bonus.
The central objective is a satisfying pool-themed chase: completing the numbered targets 1 through 15 lights the rollover and holes for the coveted “WOW” award, giving the game a clear goal to organize your shooting around. It’s the kind of straightforward, accuracy-rewarding design that defines the era — no elaborate modes or multiballs, just the pure pleasure of working through the rack and the rhythmic satisfaction of a well-placed shot and chiming score reels.
True to its wedge-head roots, Sure Shot is a compact, honest game that rewards a steady hand and a bit of patience. For collectors who love billiards themes and the elegant simplicity of golden-age Gottlieb, it’s an approachable and charming classic — an unpretentious table that’s easy to pick up and quietly tough to truly master.