Released in February 1988, Diamond Lady emerged from the D. Gottlieb & Co. manufacturing plant, a testament to the ongoing evolution of solid-state pinball machines. This particular model, designated 711, represents an interesting chapter in the company's history, as it was produced under the Premier Technology brand name, which Gottlieb had adopted. With 2,700 units manufactured, Diamond Lady had a modest production run, with the majority of machines finding homes in Europe, making it a rarer sight in the North American market.

The machine's creation was a collaborative effort. Jon Norris led the design, shaping the playfield layout and gameplay experience. The distinctive artwork, central to the machine's card and gambling theme, was crafted by Constantino Mitchell and Jeanine Mitchell. John Buras developed the software that powered the Gottlieb System 80B MPU, overseeing the game's intricate rules and logic. John Borg handled the mechanical engineering, ensuring the physical elements functioned seamlessly. The machine's auditory landscape, from its electronic melodies to its custom speech, was the work of Dave Zabriskie, whose contributions, including the memorable "joker's laugh" call-out, defined the game's sonic identity. A notable innovation debuted with Diamond Lady: a redesigned backbox featuring extended side panels and the score display and speakers repositioned to the top. This marked a visual departure for Gottlieb, giving the machine a distinct silhouette on the arcade floor. Furthermore, Diamond Lady was one of a select few Premier games, alongside Victory and TX-Sector, to incorporate Vitrigraph playfields. This proprietary process, unique to Premier, involved a durable plexiglass surface, offering exceptional resistance to wear compared to traditional clearcoats or lacquers. This technical advancement promised greater longevity for the playfield artwork, preserving its vibrancy over years of play.

Signature Features and Design

Diamond Lady's defining characteristic lies in its innovative use of the Vitrigraph playfield. This technology, essentially a plexiglass overlay, provided a remarkably smooth and durable surface, safeguarding the artwork from the ball wear typically seen on conventional wood playfields. This foresight in design contributed significantly to the machine's longevity and preserved its visual integrity. Beyond the playfield's construction, Diamond Lady integrated a new backbox design. The extended side panels and the placement of the alphanumeric score display and speakers at the top of the backbox distinguished it visually from its predecessors, creating a more contemporary aesthetic for its era.

The visual theme, centered on cards and gambling, is woven into every aspect of the machine. The translite, a combination of hand-drawing and photography, depicts the titular "Diamond Lady," her image often noted for a unique visual effect where an upside-down illustration on a playing card reflects right-side up on the playfield glass. The playfield itself is adorned with card suits and casino motifs, with diamond and spade patterns prominently featured. Mechanically, the game is heavily reliant on drop targets. With 14 in total – two banks of five and one bank of four – these targets are central to both scoring and progression. Adding a layer of strategy, five standup targets are strategically hidden behind certain drop targets, requiring players to clear a path to reveal them. The sound design, crafted by Dave Zabriskie, leans into the electronic musical trends of the 1980s, complemented by custom speech call-outs and the satisfying thud of an EM knocker, all contributing to the game's immersive casino atmosphere.

Playfield and Mechanics

The Diamond Lady playfield offers a blend of familiar elements and distinct challenges, designed to engage players with its flow and target-oriented gameplay. At the heart of the layout are the numerous drop targets. Two prominent five-bank drop target sets dominate the lower playfield, while a four-bank set sits higher up. The strategic placement of five standup targets directly behind specific drop targets demands that players not only clear the drop targets but also aim precisely at the now-revealed standups for maximum points and progression.

The game features a single ramp, providing a smooth shot that adds verticality to the playfield. Three pop bumpers occupy the upper central area, injecting chaotic energy into ball movement. Two spinning targets offer high-scoring opportunities when rapidly hit, and six standup targets are scattered across the field, some hidden, some openly accessible. The ball enters the playfield via a shortened shooter alley that directs the ball directly to the right flipper inlane, ensuring immediate action. For ball preservation, a left outlane kickback offers a second chance, while a single drop target positioned between the flippers acts as a last-ditch save mechanism. The playfield's flow is generally praised, with the upper left orbit shot noted for its satisfying return to the left flipper, facilitating continuous play. Despite its relatively simple overall layout, the design philosophy prioritizes direct shot accuracy and strategic target management over complex ramps or multi-level playfields. The artwork, consistent with the overall card theme, uses vibrant colors to highlight scoring opportunities and important targets, aiding player visibility and immersion. Lighting cues are used effectively to guide players, indicating active modes and scoring bonuses.

Gameplay Dynamics

Diamond Lady distinguishes itself with gameplay mechanics that offer surprising depth for a Gottlieb System 80B machine, encouraging varied strategies and rewarding precise play. The scoring system is multifaceted, built around clearing the numerous drop targets and advancing through distinct game modes. One of the most talked-about objectives is the "YOLO" rule: a high-risk, high-reward challenge where players aim to hit all Diamond-suited drop targets without knocking down any Spade-suited targets. Successfully achieving this doubles the player's score for that ball, a difficult feat that adds a significant layer of strategic choice.

Gameplay progression involves advancing "diamond" and "royal flush" inserts, leading to increased scoring potential and unlocking features. A "millions countdown" mode provides a timed scoring opportunity, adding urgency to target completion. The game features a 2-ball multiball, which is enhanced by the ability to stack playfield multipliers, leading to potentially massive scores during multiball phases. This synergy between multipliers and multiball is a core element of high-scoring strategies. Players are continuously challenged to hit all 14 drop targets, as many modes and objectives are tied to clearing these banks and then hitting the standup targets revealed behind them. The game's outlanes are notably "hungry," demanding accurate flipper work and ball control, adding to the game's challenging nature. While objectives like jackpots are designed to be difficult to achieve, they provide satisfying rewards when hit. The game's ruleset allows for multiple paths to a high score, whether focusing on the risky "YOLO" bonus, methodically clearing targets, or optimizing multiball multipliers, ensuring replayability and a deep engagement for players seeking mastery.

Reception and Legacy

Diamond Lady has garnered a positive reputation within the pinball community, often referred to as a "hidden gem" or a "player's game." Its strengths lie primarily in its engaging gameplay and ruleset, which many enthusiasts consider ahead of its time for a Gottlieb System 80B machine. Players frequently commend its challenging yet rewarding depth, noting the smooth flow and satisfying shots, particularly the upper left orbit feeding back to the left flipper. The implementation of distinct modes, such as the millions countdown and the advancement of diamond/royal flush inserts, along with its 2-ball multiball with multiplier stacking, are consistently praised. The "YOLO" rule, despite its difficulty, is seen as a unique and rewarding strategic element that maintains tournament fairness. The game's design compels players to engage with all targets, including those hidden behind drop target banks, contributing to its fast and engaging pace.

A significant strength of Diamond Lady is its Vitrigraph playfield technology. This feature is widely celebrated for its exceptional durability and resistance to wear, making it a robust and long-lasting machine. The game's sound package, including custom speech and the distinct "joker's laugh" call-out, is often appreciated for its fitting 1980s charm. Furthermore, its relative rarity in the North American market, with most units shipped to Europe, adds to its appeal as a unique find and a "diamond in the rough" for collectors seeking value.

However, Diamond Lady is not without its criticisms. The most frequent point of contention is its artwork, particularly the backglass and general playfield aesthetics, which are often described as divisive, "cheesy," or lacking appeal. Some players have also noted that the relocated alphanumeric display, while part of a new backbox design, can be difficult to view during active gameplay. The outlanes are notoriously "hungry," presenting a significant challenge for ball retention and contributing to the game's high difficulty. Despite the consensus on its deep ruleset, a few players have found the game's objectives to be overly simplistic, though this view contradicts the majority opinion.

Despite these minor weaknesses, Diamond Lady's legacy is that of an underappreciated yet substantial machine from the Gottlieb System 80B era. It is recognized for pushing the boundaries of ruleset complexity within its hardware constraints and for pioneering the durable Vitrigraph playfield technology. Its challenging nature and the strategic depth it offers have ensured its continued relevance among enthusiasts, solidifying its place as a machine that, while not universally recognized, holds a dedicated and positive standing among those who seek a demanding and rewarding pinball experience.