When I was first starting to get beyond flail-playing and actually learning how to aim-n-shoot, the games mostly available were the early Gottlieb solid states. I remember specifically playing Close Encounters and Totem, and Card Wiz and another western theme with a roto-target. All of those early Gotts cultivated the player in me and I got good enough to win games occasionally. I was around 11 years old.

Then I met Bally Eight Ball. Cool, Fonzie on the backglass and - WHAT? A KICKBACK? Is that what I think it is? A drain ball saver? No way! I was hooked but good. That single game taught me how to shoot and prioritize objectives.

I've never owned one, and don't really want to after finding out 8BD exists, but it will always be that special game for me. Still love playing that game when I see it.