Lead the tribe — Williams’ Big Chief is an electromechanical four-player wrapped in a Native American theme, designed by the legendary Steve Kordek, one of the true titans of pinball history whose career helped shape the entire modern game. With reel scoring and a confirmed run of 2,950, it’s a handsome woodrail-era piece from a genuine master of the craft.
The layout is a clean, engaging spread with some welcoming touches: two flippers, three pop bumpers, a pair of slingshots, four standup targets, a middle-right ball return gate, and a right-outlane ball return gate. Those two ball return gates are a genuinely player-friendly feature, giving you real chances to keep the ball alive and the points flowing, while the three pop bumpers keep the ball lively up top and the four standups offer clear objectives to work through. It’s a well-balanced design in the classic Kordek mold, built to deliver the honest, chiming pleasures that made these EM machines such enduring favorites.
Big Chief is a fine example of Steve Kordek’s design craft, pairing its theme with a satisfying, defensive-minded playfield and those helpful return gates. Kordek was a genuine legend whose innovations echoed across decades of pinball history, and playing one of his creations connects you to that deep legacy. For the collector who cherishes the golden age of EM pinball and its foundational figures, it’s a rewarding find. Ride those bumpers, work the four standups, and use the return gates to keep the ball alive. Sometimes the simplest games are the most satisfying, and this Kordek classic delivers an enjoyable round every time. Some machines are treasured for the master behind them, and Big Chief is one of them. Drop a coin and lead on.