1978 Gottlieb Eye of The Tiger
Manufacturer : Gottlieb
Year : 1978
Players : 2
Type : Electro-mechanical
Theme : Fantasy - Myth and Legend
Production : 732 units
Status : Sold
Gottlieb’s Eye of the Tiger (1978) is a rare 2-player electro-mechanical (EM) pinball machine released in limited numbers, often tied to the Sinbad and the Eye of the Tiger film. With a production run of roughly 730 units, it stands out as one of the scarcer late-era EM games. Designed during Gottlieb’s transition period, it features a clean, open playfield focused on accuracy, drop targets, and bonus-building strategies.
Game Features
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2-player electro-mechanical (EM) pinball machine
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Released May 1978
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Limited production (~730 units)
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10 drop targets arranged in banks
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Four flippers (two standard 3-inch, two smaller 2-inch upper flippers)
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Single large center spinner that builds bonus
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3 pop bumpers
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2 kick-out holes
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A-B-C rollover lanes that light Double Bonus
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End-of-ball bonus system with multiplier progression (up to 5X)
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100,000+ scoring capability
Overview
Eye of the Tiger is a late EM-era game that leans heavily into precision shooting and controlled play. The open layout rewards accuracy, especially when targeting drop banks in the correct sequence to build the bonus multiplier.
The spinner and rollover lanes play a key role in advancing scoring, while the upper flippers give players added control and shot options not always seen in earlier EM machines. Completing A-B-C rollovers and specific target banks is essential to unlocking higher scoring through Double Bonus and multipliers.
Because of its limited production and late-era design, Eye of the Tiger has become a desirable collector piece. Its straightforward rules combined with challenging execution make it a rewarding game for players who prefer skill-driven, methodical gameplay over randomness.
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View Restoration Details Playfield (Top Side) • Fully disassembled, cleaned, waxed, and conditioned • New rubbers, lane guides, posts, bulbs, and pinball • New flipper bats • Standup switches and rollover switches polished and adjusted • Plastics cleaned and conditioned Playfield (Underside) • Complete flipper rebuilds (coils, stops, switches, links, springs) • Pop bumper assemblies rebuilt • All relays cleaned, filed, and properly adjusted • Stepper units fully disassembled, cleaned, and calibrated Cabinet & Bottom Board • New power cord and fuse holders • Bottom board fully disassembled and cleaned • Relays, step units, and score motor serviced and adjusted • Jones plugs cleaned for solid connections • Cabinet cleaned inside and out Backbox / Head • Scoring reels disassembled, cleaned, and properly adjusted • Stepper units and relays serviced • New bulbs installed Additional Work • Weak or burned coils replaced as needed • Coin door fully disassembled, cleaned, and polished with new coin entry plates • Chime box cleaned, polished, and rebuilt • Shooter assembly polished with new springs installed • Metal trim, side rails, and legs polished • New locks, bolts, and leg levelers/castors installed • New sheet of playfield glass installed • New bulbs installed throughout entire game Warranty ✔ 1-Year Warranty (local sales) ✔ One service visit included within first year (includes playfield waxing, rubber replacement if needed, and full function check)