An Oldie But a Goldie

Here�s a look at the Gottlieb �Buckaroo� pinball machine, a true gem from pinball�s golden era. Buckaroo (1965) is a single-player electro-mechanical pinball machine created by D. Gottlieb & Co., designed by Wayne Neyens with captivating artwork by Roy Parker. It features an engaging Western theme, complete with pop bumpers, slingshots, rollovers, and a signature spinning roto-target that challenges players to hit a sequence to score replays.But what truly sets Buckaroo apart is its delightful mechanical backbox animation�every time you score a milestone (typically every 100 points), the horse famously kicks the cowboy, sending him spinning, adding both charm and personality to gameplay. With an estimated production run of around 2,600 units, Buckaroo is relatively rare, making it a prized collectible among enthusiasts. Its gameplay strike balance�simple rules yet challenging execution�earned it high praise from fans. Pinside users rated it 8.10/10, and it ranks among the top electro-mechanical games, often praised for its artwork and nostalgic gameplay. Collectors and restorers have described it as �superb playfield action� with �extraordinary� graphics, calling it one of the most beautiful mechanical pinball games.