Genesis (1986, Gottlieb Premier)

“Blue LEDs make everything better. Maybe even food.”

I’ve always liked the way blue LEDs complement the futuristic art of Terminator 2: Judgement Day. And I’ve always enjoyed the concept of The Machine: Bride of Pinbot – activating the Bride robot: first her voice, then vision, and eventually (if you’re good enough) transforming her into a human. I’m not the only one who likes em though. Both are all-time favorites in the pinball world and their prices reflect that. So, I'll play the heck out of em when I run across either in the wild, but prolly won’t ever bring one home. (I said prolly)

I’m not about to claim I’ve found the best of both worlds in one machine, but I do like this one for the same reasons as those others. And at a fraction of the cost.

Genesis was created by Gottlieb, very late in it’s life as one of the four big pinball manufacturers. Known mostly for their games in the pre-solid state era, the Premier series was the company’s attempt to modernize in the mid-80s. As such, Genesis includes a dynamic synthesized music soundtrack, two ramps, 2 ball multiball, and one of the earliest uses of an alpha-numeric display.

The game's theme is based on the mad scientist’s lab from the 1927 film Metropolis. And the goal of the mad scientist/player is to assemble the robot, in this case the ARMS, BRAIN, BODY & LEGS, and eventually, just like in Bride of Pinbot, to bring her to life. (I say her because, well, look at the picture - the robot has boobs!) The concept is very cool, and unlike most games, I’m not really thinking about points when I play this one. I mean yeah, points are awarded for hitting the right stuff in the right order and all, but I’m way more focused on completing the robot so I can shout “It’s ALIIIIIVE!” when the game goes dark and she is revealed from under the playfield to the tones of Bach's Toccatta & Fugue.

Click here for more information about Genesis.