Williams’ 1973 classic OXO stands as a masterclass in the charm of the electromechanical era, blending the intellectual hook of a classic pencil-and-paper game with the kinetic satisfaction of a pinball machine. Designed by industry titan Norm Clark and featuring the distinct, stylized art of Christian Marche, the cabinet brings the grid of Tic-Tac-Toe to life. The playfield layout is deceptively simple, centering on three standup targets and a pair of kick-out holes that become the primary objectives as players attempt to complete rows of Xs and Os.
The gameplay loop is built around the satisfying progression of filling that grid. Hitting the 10-point targets—which encompass the slingshots and the unlit pop bumpers—toggles the playfield between awarding Xs or Os, forcing the player to manage their shots carefully. Once you successfully align three of a kind, the central kick-out holes activate, turning the middle of the board into a high-scoring engine that yields 5,000 points per entry. For those chasing the high score, the game rewards efficiency: hitting the ‘A’ and ‘B’ targets opens a bottom gate and supercharges the bumpers, while filling every single spot on the board lights the side lanes for a coveted Special.
Strategically, OXO is a game of patience and long-term planning. While the scoring is consistent throughout the session, the endgame tension is palpable; every X and O collected throughout the game adds to a 1,000-point end-of-ball bonus, but the stakes triple on the final ball. This mechanical depth, combined with the tactile feedback of reel-based scoring, makes OXO a quintessential example of why Clark’s designs remain staples in vintage collections. It is a game that demands both precision shooting to complete the grid and the nerves to capitalize on that final-ball bonus multiplier.