Add one more......

I like all pinball. That being said, I would consider myself an EM guy by a few factors.

First, if, or more likely when, I have to reduce my collection to only a few games, I expect the majority of those games will be EMs.

Second, I love to work on EMs. Not only due to the challenge, but also due to how much the designers were able to do with so little technology (just relays and steppers). I also like the fact that we will be able to service EMs long into the distant future with only a hand full of mechanical parts. One parts game can keep a whole fleet of games going. The SS collectors will always be challenged to find obsolete electronic parts and/or need designers to build newer technology to replace that which is no longer available. And this will only become more difficult as time goes by.

And, being 51, I obviously cut my pinball playing teeth on EMs and seeing and playing them brings back fond memories of a fun, simpler time in life.

Actually, accept for the Roto Target Parts and the drop down card animation unit, all the other mechanical parts on the playfield ARE genuine Gottlieb parts - all purchased from The Pinball Resource. The flippers, as you mentioned are also System 3 Gottlieb assemblies using a custom single winding coil which is pulse width modulated for the hold function (reason for the buzzing you might notice when held). A low voltage EOS is present but not necessary for the flipper to function.

The Roto parts or tooling no longer existed in any quantity but were duplicated using the original mechanical drawings when available. The drop down animation unit is an original design as there was no reason to duplicate the entire relay trip bank when no relays or switches were required to operate the game.

Software essentially provides a Diamond Jack (AAB) and a KOD in the same game or even at the same time (Extra Balls earned along side Specials, Score threshold, and Match Replays. The game can even be set for the last ball Match to award an Extra ball - I know of no other game that can do that. Software also added the availability of End of Ball Bonus for Cards earned, something the originals did not have. It also supports a High Score to Date function which can also award replays when enabled.

All the additional software features are adjustable, so the game can be made to play just like the original KOD (albeit 4 single player games).

Can't say it was a "cheaper" knock off since it probably cost more than 3 or 4 times to build than the selling price of its 60's Grand Daddy.

Herb's Fabulous Fantasies company, previously located in Tarzana is alive and well. Retro Pinball LLC, the partnership formed to create and build the Retro KOD is currently in limbo.