Triple X, released by Williams in 1975, is a quintessential piece of mid-seventies electromechanical charm designed by the legendary Norm Clark. With iconic, unmistakable artwork by Christian Marche, this two-player machine takes the familiar, centuries-old logic of Tic-Tac-Toe and translates it into a frantic, score-chasing playfield. While the layout appears straightforward, featuring a classic two-flipper configuration, three pop bumpers, and two central kick-out holes, the gameplay is a constant tug-of-war between strategic target shooting and ball management.
The core objective revolves around filling the grid; hitting the 10-point targets—which include the slingshots and the unlit pop bumpers—toggles between “X” and “O” status, requiring players to be deliberate with their shots. Successfully aligning three symbols in a row unlocks the central kick-out holes, which act as high-scoring hotspots that award 5,000 points each time the ball finds its mark. For the truly skilled, lighting the entire board triggers a special, granting a free game or extra ball when navigating the side lanes. Furthermore, players should prioritize hitting the ‘A’ and ‘B’ targets early; doing so clears the bottom gate and supercharges the pop bumpers, turning them into high-scoring point engines.
Success on Triple X requires a shift in mindset as the ball count progresses. Because the machine awards 1,000 bonus points for every lit “X” or “O” upon drain, players should aim to maximize their board coverage throughout the game. However, the stakes change dramatically on the final ball, where those same lit symbols reward the player with triple the bonus value. It is a deceptively simple design that demands both tactical accuracy and a keen eye for the final-ball payout, proving that even a game based on a childhood pastime can provide a deep, competitive challenge.