1962

Drop targets are targets that mechanically drop down when hit by the ball.
Players often have to complete several targets as a full set or in a specific combination.
Only then are bonuses, specials or new play features activated.
For the first time, this creates structured objectives instead of simple score collecting.
The game becomes more strategic, tactical and exciting.
Players now aim deliberately at specific target groups to complete a task.
This greatly increases the depth of gameplay.
In the following years, drop targets become an important standard feature of modern pinball machines.
Many later games build entire rule sets and bonus systems around this principle.
A well-known early example is “Vagabond” by Williams (1962).
This innovation continues to shape pinball game design to this day.