"Gulfstream" and "Tropic Fun" are electro-mechanical pinball machines produced by Williams Electronic Games, Inc. in the early 1970s. "Gulfstream," released in October 1972, has a water sports theme and features two flippers, pop bumpers, slingshots, and rollover buttons, with a production run of 4,175 units. "Tropic Fun," released in January 1973, is the add-a-ball version with a beach recreation theme, sharing similar playfield elements and a smaller production run of 1,100 units. Both machines were designed by Norm Clark and featured artwork by Christian Marche.
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Gulfstream
Quickie Version:
Shoot the center target to get three numbers in a row and shoot to collect of the all lettered lanes.
Go-to Flipper:
Balanced
Risk Index:
Very High
Full Rules:
I played the add-a-ball version of this, Tropic Fun, a lot in college. Since I was in a snowy climate, the tropical artwork was welcome. There are two themes to this game, completing the lettered lanes and the center target. The center target scores one of the 1-9 targets, whichever is lit on the playfield below it at the time. Hundred point switches change the lit number. The key here is to get either three numbers in a row or all four corner numbers. Doing so lights the center target and the two side saucers for 5000, plus extra balls or specials when enabled. Finishing the S-P-E-C-I-A-L letters lights the return lanes for 5000. These are the only big points available on the game; the rest of the time, these are 500, as are the lanes at all times. Artwork note: while human figures in pinball art are not always properly scaled, the ones on the playfield here are exceptionally bad: the arms and legs are way too long compared to the rest of the bodies. Watch out for those sharp knees!
via Bob's Guide
Tropic Fun
Quickie Version:
Shoot the center target to get three numbers in a row and shoot to collect of the all lettered lanes.
Go-to Flipper:
Balanced
Risk Index:
Very High
Full Rules:
This is the add-a-ball version of Gulf Stream. The scores are ten times higher. I’m assuming herein that extra balls and specials are set to award points. I played this game a lot in college, and it was fun, but largely because it was set for extra balls. Since I was in a snowy climate, the tropic part [backglass scene] was welcome, too. There are two themes to this game, completing the lettered lanes and the center target. The center target scores one of the 1-9 targets, whichever is lit on the playfield below it at the time. Hundred point switches change the lit number. The key here is to get either three number in a row or all four corner numbers. Three in a row lights the center target and the two side saucers for 50,000; Get all four corners and it’s worth 100,000. Finishing the S-P-E-C-I-A-L letters lights the return lanes for 50,000. These are the only big points available on the game; the rest of the time, these are 5000, as are the lanes at all times. Since this machine was really designed for EBs and free games, it’s rarely used in tournaments. Artwork note: while human figures in pinball art are not always properly scaled, the ones on the playfield here are exceptionally bad: the arms and legs are way too long compared to the rest of the bodies. Watch out for those sharp knees!
via Bob's Guide
