Genie (pinball)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
 | |
| Manufacturer | Gottlieb |
|---|---|
| Release date | October 1979 |
| System | Gottlieb System 1 |
| Design | Ed Krynski |
| Artwork | Gordon Morison |
| Production run | 6,800 |
Genie is a widebody pinball machine designed by Ed Krynski and released in 1979 by Gottlieb. It features a jinn theme and was advertised with the slogans "Gottlieb's WIDE and Beautiful BODY"[1] and "A Wide-Body Pinball absolutely bulging with player appeal and proven massive profit earning capacity!". This slogan alludes to both the wide body of the game and the body of the genie.[2]
Genie is considered Gottlieb's answer to Bally’s super wide pinball machine Paragon and the start of a competition of a widebody pinball design in the late 1970s. Genie is the first widebody produced by Gottlieb.[3]
The backglass shows a magical genie with a semi-human body released from a lamp, watched by two figures and a small creature. One of these figures and the genie are also shown prominently on the playfield.[2]
The sound system can be adjusted to play an alternative second set of sounds.[4]
Layout
Genie uses 5 flippers. The upper right of the machine has four A-B-C-D lanes above two pop bumpers and a kick-out hole. The upper left of the machine has a mini upper playfield with two of the flippers and seven drop-targets. The middle of the machine includes a bank of four drop-targets and a wide spinner. Further down the left side of the playfield is another set of A-B-C-D lanes above a single pop bumper.[4]
Gameplay
The bonus multiplier is increased using the bank of four drop-targets, and after advancing it sufficiently the player can collect the bonus at the kick-out hole.[4]
The player can earn an extra ball by completing the A-B-C-D lanes and hitting a target in the upper playfield; and can earn another by hitting the correct drop-targets in the upper playfield.[5]
Reception
In a review for Play Meter, Roger Sharpe said the game has a well-designed playfield, awarding the game 4/4.[4]
Digital versions
Genie is included in the Pinball Hall of Fame: The Gottlieb Collection, released by FarSight Studios.[6]
The same developer released the table for The Pinball Arcade for several platforms in 2013.[7]