Overview
4 Roses is a single-player, electro-mechanical pinball machine released by Williams in December 1962. Designed by Steve Kordek, this classic woodrail-era table features pageantry and women-themed backglass artwork illustrated by George Molentin. The machine had a limited production run of just 1,250 units.
The gameplay mechanics of 4 Roses are advanced for its time, built around a high-risk, high-reward rule sheet. The single-level playfield is equipped with two flippers, three pop bumpers, two passive bumpers, and eleven rollover buttons. Players aim to string together targets to advance the value of the game's two central "gobble holes" from 50 points all the way up to 300 points or a "Special" game-winning designation. A dangerous, spinning rotating target sits prominently in the center of the playfield, acting as a crucial but risky mechanism for racking up massive combos and high scores.
Because the table features a traditional narrow paddle gap and small flippers, maintaining ball control requires excellent nudge skills and reflective aiming. The layout prevents players from easily trapping the ball, resulting in fast-paced, unpredictable action driven heavily by the kinetic rebound of its rubber bumpers.
