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Stargate by Gottlieb
Manufacturer: Gottlieb
Date: March 1995
Number Produced: 3,600
Stargate was a pinball game released by Gottlieb in 1995. It was designed by Ray Tanzer and Jon Norris. The game is based on the film Stargate, not the television show Stargate SG-1. It has many modes, including several multi-ball modes.
The player starts with only 2 balls. They must then hit a jackpot to release an additional ball. In some modes this can be repeated and player can hit another jackpot to release one more ball, for a total of 4 balls.
A pyramid is the main feature of this game. It has a top that opens by raising and lowering. A moving Glidercraft ship will be extended from the pyramid when the pyramid is open. The Glidercraft will zigzag left-right, in front of the pyramid, with about 90 degrees of horizontal movement.
This game also features two Horus targets. These are basically the reverse of drop targets: they are targets that, rather than dropping down into the playfield when hit, rise up into the air. Each target is attached to a large Horus structure, which is itself attached to a pivot that can raise and lower. These Horus structures drop down to block the player from reaching two key shots. The game occasionally raises them, allowing the player to temporarily make the shots. Part of the development involved having actor James Spader record the voice parts of Daniel Jackson, the character he played in the film.