Williams’ Pharaoh, released in 1981 and designed by Tony Kraemer, brings ancient-Egyptian mystique to an ambitious split-level playfield. With four flippers, four three-bank drop targets, a captive ball, and twin Magna-Save magnets, it’s a feature-rich early-80s machine — and notably one that does away with pop bumpers entirely, relying instead on its drops and multi-level layout for the action.
The scoring centers on the drop targets and the two-ball multiball. Lighting the “R” in PHARAOH by knocking down the flashing drop targets in the upper playfield lights the lock for multiball, giving the game a clear progression to chase. The twin Magna-Saves — a feature pioneered on Williams’ Black Knight — offer button-triggered insurance against drains, adding a layer of skill and timing to keeping your ball alive. There’s even a “Bonus Ball” payoff, awarding the highest scorer a fixed period of unlimited balls once a multiplayer game finishes.
Atmospheric, deep, and a touch unusual thanks to its slingshot-free, split-level design, Pharaoh is an underrated entry from the golden age of Williams solid-state. For collectors who enjoy a Magna-Save game with a striking theme and a rewarding multiball to build toward, it’s a handsome and engaging classic worth unearthing.