Episode 122 - Die on This Hill: Cue Ball Wizard
Podcast
Wedgehead Pinball Podcast
56 min
Summary
Wedgehead defends Q-Ball Wizard as an underrated 1992 Gottlieb gem with vibes and gameplay depth.
Wedgehead Pinball Podcast hosts Alan and Alex defend Gottlieb's 1992 Q-Ball Wizard with guest Corey Butcher, who ranks it #50 on his all-time list despite it sitting at #307 on Pinside's rankings. The episode explores why this once best-selling System 3 Gottlieb game: with iconic cowboy-themed art, a centerpiece cue ball toy, and pool-themed gameplay: deserves reconsideration as a fun, earner-friendly machine with strong aesthetic appeal and accessibility.
Highlights
- Q-Ball Wizard was the best-selling System 3 Gottlieb game and earned legendarily well for operators in the 1990s
- Jon Norris designed Q-Ball Wizard as his attempt at making a tavern game and a version of 8-Ball Deluxe
- System 3 flippers are direct-power flippers, not electronically controlled, making them distinct from modern DMD flipper designs
- Q-Ball Wizard has a pity multiball on the third ball if the player doesn't achieve multiball on the first two balls
- The Double mode in Q-Ball Wizard doubles scoring, extra balls, and jackpots, and doubles the music speed and causes the entire machine to flash
- Brooks and Dunn was the last game Gottlieb was working on when the company failed, and if completed, could have saved Gottlieb
- IPDB lists 95 results for billiards/pool-themed pinball machines throughout history
- Q-Ball Wizard continues to earn 'okay' money on location despite casual players not sessioning it long-term
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