tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22499897507551404842024-02-08T11:51:28.857-08:00Rod's Pinball Video BlogEvery week I will be blogging about my collection of pinball machine videos from my Youtube channel, one at a time!Rod7178http://www.blogger.com/profile/11626552374695463869noreply@blogger.comBlogger14125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2249989750755140484.post-9803477748525025022013-10-07T21:22:00.000-07:002013-10-07T21:22:52.297-07:00FIREBALL - Bally 1972The most collectable EM of the 1970's<br />
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Bally <a href="http://ipdb.org/search.pl?any=fireball&sortby=name&search=Search+Database&searchtype=quick#852">Fireball</a> from 1972 would have to be considered the most sought after Electro Mechanical pinball machine from the 1970's, and for good reason. There's just so much going on with the Zipper Flippers, spinning playfield disk, 3 ball Multiball, tough as nails skill shot, and the amazing art package. I am surprised that they only made a little under 4,000 of these, but I figure it was considered a success at the time because they eventually followed up with a <a href="http://ipdb.org/search.pl?any=fireball&sortby=name&search=Search+Database&searchtype=quick#4116">Fireball Home Model</a> at the beginning of the Solid State era. Then there was <a href="http://ipdb.org/search.pl?any=fireball&sortby=name&search=Search+Database&searchtype=quick#854">Fireball II</a> in 1981, and finally a remake of the original with <a href="http://ipdb.org/search.pl?any=fireball&sortby=name&search=Search+Database&searchtype=quick#853">Fireball Classic</a> from 1985.</div>
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The EM version is a great party game. Ball times are relatively short, and the way the multi ball system works, it's possible to walk up to the machine in a multiplayer game and have the previous player do all the work for you by locking the first 2 balls ready for you to release them.</div>
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I only have one minor issue with the game, and that would be the randomness of the spinning disk. But I figure the game wouldn't be the same without it. To me it just adds a "more luck than skill" element to the gameplay, but man is it fun!</div>
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So obviously as this game is sought after, it commands a high price. Personally I am a fan of the Solid State Classic version. They are much more obtainable, and is assentially the same game but without the Zipper Flippers. However it does have cool early 80's sounds, 7 digit scoring, and an end of ball bonus system. </div>
<br />Rod7178http://www.blogger.com/profile/11626552374695463869noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2249989750755140484.post-23658997288369567262013-09-04T22:10:00.000-07:002013-09-04T22:10:02.377-07:001972 Williams Spanish EyesTime for some more wacky 1970's Williams goodness!<br />
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<a href="http://mirror2.ipdb.org/images/2265/2265f1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://mirror2.ipdb.org/images/2265/2265f1.jpg" width="246" /></a></div>
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<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/gIvVokjamBE?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
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Most people would say that you'll either love or hate <a href="http://ipdb.org/search.pl?any=spanish+eyes&sortby=name&search=Search+Database&searchtype=quick#2265">Spanish Eyes</a>. The 2 devisive elements are the art and the weird bumper between the flippers arrangement.<br />
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Cant say that I am fan of the art at all. I do like some of the work from <a href="http://ipdb.org/search.pl?any=christian+marche&search=Search+Database&searchtype=quick">Christian Marche</a>, but the colours and overall look of the backglass is just awful. The playfield is slightly more pleasing to the eye, and to be fair they do integrate very well together.<br />
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Playability is another story though. From my previous postings, you'll be aware that I am a sucker for weird lower playfield arrangements. So the bumper between the flippers is just an awesome design in my opinion. Of course it wasn't the first game to have this. Just off the top of my head I can think of <a href="http://ipdb.org/machine.cgi?id=611">Williams 1968 "Cue-T"</a> and also <a href="http://ipdb.org/search.pl?any=fan+tas+tic&sortby=name&search=Search+Database&searchtype=quick#820">"Fan Tas Tic" from 1972</a>.<br />
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When you start playing this machine straight after playing a "regular" machine, it really has a strange feel that takes a moment to get accustomed to. It's a real nudgers game, as the ball can slip under the flippers and all of a sudden escape what looks to be a certain drain by bouncing back out of the bumper area. <br />
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The rules are easy to understand, and because it's a single player game, it carries over from ball to ball. Light the numbers 1 through 6 by hitting the corresponding spot targets. Each number lit adds 1,000 points to the value of the centre saucer. Light the A,B,C,D,E top rollovers to score an extra ball.<br />
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So yep. Great game to play. Definitely don't walk past it if you're not keen on the art. The gameplay alone makes it a winner.Rod7178http://www.blogger.com/profile/11626552374695463869noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2249989750755140484.post-47347794004553239732013-07-25T21:37:00.000-07:002013-07-25T21:44:19.475-07:001977 Gottlieb Jungle QueenWelcome to the jungle :)<br />
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<object class="BLOGGER-youtube-video" classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0" data-thumbnail-src="http://img.youtube.com/vi/h5NJ_eTR0do/0.jpg" height="266" width="320"><param name="movie" value="http://youtube.googleapis.com/v/h5NJ_eTR0do&source=uds" /><param name="bgcolor" value="#FFFFFF" /><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true" /><embed width="320" height="266" src="http://youtube.googleapis.com/v/h5NJ_eTR0do&source=uds" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true"></embed></object></div>
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<span style="text-align: left;">Back in the mid 1970's Gottlieb released a few titles with very similar playfield layouts with just a few subtle changes between them. These games were <a href="http://ipdb.org/machine.cgi?id=2293">Spirit of 76/Pioneer,</a> <a href="http://ipdb.org/search.pl?any=fast+draw&sortby=name&search=Search+Database&searchtype=quick#828">Fast Draw/Quick Draw</a> and <a href="http://ipdb.org/search.pl?any=jungle+queen&sortby=name&search=Search+Database&searchtype=quick#1340">Jungle Queen/Princess. </a> They are all excellent games in their own right.</span></div>
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Now it would be sweet if you could take the best elements out of the 3 games above and make your own!. Personally I'd keep it simple and take the playfield layout and rules from Fast Draw, and use the Jungle Queen art. I like the resetting black drop targets on Fast Draw, and much rather the no slingshot/double inlane setup instead of the added mini flippers on JQ.</div>
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Again, I like all 3. I just have this "thing" about drop target banks that don't reset. But really, with the huge gap between the flippers and the brutal outlanes, you're not going to drop all the targets and max out the bonus every ball, so the challenge is still huge.</div>
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JQ is another top class EM from Gottlieb at a time when Solid State machines were just starting to take hold.</div>
</span>Rod7178http://www.blogger.com/profile/11626552374695463869noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2249989750755140484.post-85675797689869322572013-05-26T20:51:00.000-07:002013-05-29T05:26:22.887-07:00Blue Chip, Williams 1976Is Williams <a href="http://ipdb.org/search.pl?any=blue+chip&search=Search+Database&searchtype=quick#325">Blue Chip</a> a solid investment?<br />
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<a href="http://mirror2.ipdb.org/images/325/325f1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://mirror2.ipdb.org/images/325/325f1.jpg" width="244" /></a></div>
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Man, I would love a sample of the drugs they were consuming at Williams back in 1976. You can just imagine the team meeting on the Monday morning. "Listen guys, the word on the street is that the kids are screaming out for a stock market themed pinball machine. We have the runs on the board, and there's no reason why this theme cant be a Capt Fantastic beater. Who's with me?"</div>
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Ok, so the theme is corny, the art is forgettable at best. So is there anything to like about it?.</div>
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Well actually it's not a bad game to play. Most Williams games from this era didn't have drop targets, and they played super quick with their DC powered bumpers and open playfields.</div>
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The three stand up targets in the middle of the playfield are dangerous to go for from the flippers, as often the ball heads straight down the outlanes. The best strategy would be to light the number 2 target which lights the left spinner for 1000's. Keep nailing that left spinner and hope to light the 4, 5 and 6 from rebounds. </div>
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Not a great game by any means. But worth a game or 2 if you find one.</div>
<br />Rod7178http://www.blogger.com/profile/11626552374695463869noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2249989750755140484.post-22271775212088771172013-04-15T21:15:00.001-07:002013-04-15T21:15:46.724-07:00Gottlieb's Hot Shot from 1973Rack 'em up! with Gottlieb's <a href="http://ipdb.org/machine.cgi?id=1247">Hot Shot.</a><br />
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<a href="http://mirror2.ipdb.org/images/1247/1247f1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://mirror2.ipdb.org/images/1247/1247f1.jpg" width="246" /></a></div>
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<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/gXRZ6adoSAU?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
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Card and pool themes were very common in the 60's and 70's with all the manufacturers. Hot Shot nails the theme perfectly, and if you're a fan of drop targets, you're going to love this!</div>
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The 2 player version of this game called <a href="http://ipdb.org/machine.cgi?id=271">Big Shot</a> has been emulated on pretty much any digital platform you can think of via the excellent <a href="http://www.google.com.au/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=pinball%20arcade&source=web&cd=1&cad=rja&ved=0CC8QFjAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.pinballarcade.com%2F&ei=EstsUYnrDoOQrgeV3oDQDg&usg=AFQjCNGxG5PBF28T9uy9T948ZWNtSZJFuw&sig2=y-H7K-4UZkYgGxJuB3v3oQ&bvm=bv.45175338,d.aGc">Pinball Arcade</a> software. Check it out if you haven't already.</div>
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So the objective is pretty straight forward. There are 2 banks of 7 drop targets. Solids on the left, Stripes on the right. The 8 ball is scored via the kick out hole just below the bumper.</div>
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Knock down the whole bank of either solids or stripes plus the eight ball, and go for the Special by hitting the alternating targets either side of the bumper.</div>
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You can also score big points on the last ball of the game with triple bonus automatically lit, which can make things very interesting in multi player games.</div>
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There's really nothing bad to say about this game. It's a target shooters dream. If you like the digital version, you'll love the real thing!</div>
<br />Rod7178http://www.blogger.com/profile/11626552374695463869noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2249989750755140484.post-38983864128833973992013-04-08T18:33:00.002-07:002013-04-08T18:33:47.520-07:001984 Black Pyramid from Bally/Midway1983/4 was a dark period for pinball. So how does <a href="http://ipdb.org/search.pl?any=black+pyramid&search=Search+Database&searchtype=quick#312">Black Pyramid</a> stack up?<br />
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This game was released at the time when video was king. You know something is up when production runs from Bally are around 2000 units compared to the late 70's when they were pumping out 10,000+ of most titles.</div>
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So due to the lower numbers, some cost cutting measures were in order. Crappy chipboard cabinets with pealing decals instead of painted designs. The speech board has been dropped, plus pretty much zero innovation on the playfield. Black Pyramid could have been released back in 1979 and probably would have sold 10,000 units.</div>
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So, if you don't care about all the nerdy stuff above, what is the game like?.</div>
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Well the one in the video was immaculate. For whatever reason it has had very little use, and you could tell by how smooth it played and how tight everything felt. On the night it was played constantly for hours and everyone raved about it.</div>
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I have a feeling if this particular game was in lesser condition it probably wouldn't have received so much love, as there's really not much going on with a swing target in the middle, and some inline drops on the right. The other main shot is the left lane up to the top saucer. </div>
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It's not a bad game. I wouldn't say no to one if the price was right (crazy cheap). Keep it for a little while and flip it. It's an attractive looking game. I don't mind the art at all, so it's not like it would be hard to move on.</div>
<br />Rod7178http://www.blogger.com/profile/11626552374695463869noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2249989750755140484.post-70394973780098853452013-04-01T19:54:00.001-07:002013-04-01T19:54:12.257-07:00Pointy People! - Williams Love Bug from 1971The late <a href="http://ipdb.org/search.pl?searchtype=advanced&ppl=Christian%20Marche">Christian Marche</a> was the king of the "Pointy People" an art style known as Cubism which was popular back in the late 60's, early 70's on Williams and Bally games.<br />
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I don't mind the pointy people art in small doses. <a href="http://ipdb.org/search.pl?any=swinger&sortby=name&search=Search+Database&searchtype=quick#2485">1972 Williams Swinger</a> is a favourite of mine.<br />
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Anyway. Love Bug is a great little single player Add A Ball version of <a href="http://ipdb.org/search.pl?any=love+bug&search=Search+Database&searchtype=quick#703">Doodle Bug</a>, and the 4 Player <a href="http://ipdb.org/machine.cgi?id=683">Dipsy Doodle</a>. <br />
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Even though the playfield may look a little sparse, there's actually a fair bit going on with 5 snappy bumpers, a kickout hole, a bunch of standup targets, rollover buttons and lanes, Up Post between the flippers, Ball return gate to the shooter lane, and of course the Doodle Bug!, which is a captive ball below the playfield that gets smacked back and forth.<br />
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So lighting 1 2 3 4 will light the Extra Ball target which is located in the middle of the bank of three stand up targets above the doodle bug. The 2 outside targets in the bank of 3 will start the doodle bug feature which will constantly score the lit value until you either lose the ball or roll over a button or hit a certain target to switch it off. Oh, so I'll just trap the ball while the doodle bug is going, and clean up?. Nope, not gonna happen because there are gaps between the flipper and slingshot so you cant trap the ball. Sneaky!<br />
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It's a really cool game, and I have seen people walk up to play it without expecting much. 20 minutes later and they are still there playing :)<br />
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The game in the video had a bit of an issue where the ball kept on bouncing back into the top hole all the time, making it a bit easy. However, I played it recently and it's much better :)Rod7178http://www.blogger.com/profile/11626552374695463869noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2249989750755140484.post-2285320136699781442013-03-24T18:00:00.001-07:002013-03-24T18:00:53.955-07:00Gottlieb's Black Hole from 1981Ah, good old <a href="http://ipdb.org/search.pl?gtype=SS&mpu=15&searchtype=advanced">Gottlieb System 80</a>. <br />
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Cant say I've had the "Pleasure" of working on one of these, but from what I understand, once you take care of the necessary ground mods etc, they are just as reliable as anything else out there. In saying that, there's always the option of aftermarket "all in one" boards which is a great thing.</div>
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Now on to Black Hole. To me this is a better game than <a href="http://ipdb.org/search.pl?any=haunted+house&search=Search+Database&searchtype=quick#1133">Haunted House</a> which came out the following year. Don't get me wrong, I do like HH but find it a little "clunky" to play with all those flippers, and it feels a little slow and plodding compared to BH.<br />
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Black Hole is an awesome package. Spinning disk in the back box surrounded by infinity chase lights which look stunning in a dark room. Great looking playfield with some super tight shots, and lower playfield that messes with your mind as it's upside down. Then you have the challenge of achieving multiball which will take some time to master.<br />
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The sounds and lights are also fitting to the theme. The export models miss out on the spinning disk and speech. But from what I understand, these can be retrofitted. I know for a fact the spinning disk definitely can, as the game in the video has it.Rod7178http://www.blogger.com/profile/11626552374695463869noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2249989750755140484.post-42440767061320445262012-11-23T05:45:00.003-08:002012-11-23T05:45:45.322-08:001992 Gottlieb Super Mario BrosNintendo meets pinball in <a href="http://ipdb.org/search.pl?any=mario&search=Search+Database&searchtype=quick#2435">Gottliebs 1992 Super Mario Bros</a><br />
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It's unfortunate that Gottlieb machines from the 90's get such a bad rap amungst collectors. The build quality under the playfield is pretty awesome, and the reliablility of the board set has proven itself over the last 20 odd years. I have owned a couple in the past, and they gave me little trouble at all. </div>
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One which I had owned and kind of regret parting with is Super Mario Bros. I think the main reason I still wish I had it, was because it was in such great condition. I got hold of it back in 1995, so it only spent 3 years out on location. These days it's very difficult to find one without a trashed cabinet and worn playfield. </div>
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The game itself is a Nintendo/Mario fans dream. They really nailed the theme perfectly with appropriate art, fantastic sound (although it did get a little repetative) Plus really great dot matrix display animations that included the video mode where you'd use the flipper buttons to play a mini Mario game running across the screen jumping the gaps.</div>
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The light show was pretty cool as well. There's 4 prominent clear dome flashers on the playfield, and when I owned the machine I put cellophane over the lamps to add a little colour. Of course now you can simply purchase the coloured flash lamps :)</div>
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It's not a difficult game by any means. There's a kickback on the left drain, a drop target that acts as an up post between the flippers. Plus if you happen to start "Invincible" mode, it's almost imposibble to lose the ball for around 30 secands or so. But in saying that, it still provides a decent challenge. It's very cool when you finally get the "777" on the slot machine for 200 Million, and the "catch up" feature in multi player games where you could be coming dead last on your final ball and all of a sudden be awarded catch up where your score gets boosted up to whatever the current leaders score is, makes for some interesting times :)</div>
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So it's a thumbs up from me. If you ever get the chance to play or purchase one, don't overlook it.</div>
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<br />Rod7178http://www.blogger.com/profile/11626552374695463869noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2249989750755140484.post-516063542348119682012-11-15T18:24:00.000-08:002012-11-15T18:24:01.371-08:001965 Gottlieb Cow PokeIt's time to head back to the 60's and take a look at <a href="http://ipdb.org/search.pl?any=cowpoke&search=Search+Database&searchtype=quick#581">Gottlieb's Cow Poke</a> from 1965<br />
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First up, I have to admit that I'm not a huge fan of 2" flipper games from the 50's and 60's. Sure, they have amazing art and they obviously paved the way for the awesomeness of the 70's and beyond. But those little flippers which more often than not feel like hitting the ball with a wet noodle just doesn't do much for me at all.</div>
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Of course there are exceptions to the above, and I could rattle off a bunch of said games that I actually do rate. Gottlieb's Cow Poke is one of them. </div>
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Cow poke is the less common "Add A Ball" version of <a href="http://ipdb.org/machine.cgi?id=393">"Buckaroo"</a> and the main objective is to light 1 through 7 by spotting the numbers on the Roto Target in the middle of the playfield. Of course they weren't going to make it easy for you, so the lucrative number 4 is the toughest to spot, as it only takes up one position on the Roto Target. So it's nice if you can get the 4 early in the game.</div>
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It's a real nudgers game because of the 2 rollovers and post between the flippers. It makes for some great saves! Another great addition to this game is the mechanical back box animation where the horse kicks the cowboy. Very cool, and you could imagine the game would have pulled in a lot of coins back in the day just because of that.</div>
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Be sure to visit next week, where we'll skip forward around 30 years, and check out Super Mario Bros :)</div>
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<br />Rod7178http://www.blogger.com/profile/11626552374695463869noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2249989750755140484.post-80981240674091871142012-11-08T17:26:00.000-08:002012-11-08T17:26:34.366-08:00Klondike, Williams 1971This weeks game is <a href="http://ipdb.org/search.pl?any=klondike&search=Search+Database&searchtype=quick#1388">Klondike from Williams Electronics 1971</a><br />
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Ever thought about what game you'd like to add to your collection from your birth year?. For me it's 1971, and Klondike would have to be high up on the list.</div>
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Designed by Norm Clark with Christian Marche providing the art, Klondike is a killer game that has a lot going on considering the year of release. With 5 pop bumpers that provide some great action, 3 kickout holes, an up-post between the flippers, a bunch of stand up targets, and of course the main feature of the game a 3 reel slot machine at the top of the play field.</div>
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The object of the game is to line up winning symbols on the reels and collect the awards from the centre kick out hole. Awards range from 500 to 5000 points depending on what combination of symbols appear on the reels. There's no need to keep your eyes on the reels. It's best to watch the award lights and then nail the centre hole when there's a decent award lit. Another good strategy is to go for the 2 upper kickout holes to light the bumpers for higher scoring.</div>
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It's great when you have the post between the flippers in the up position. Of course the "Down Post" rollover button is positioned in such a place where it's kind of hard to miss. But that's half the fun!</div>
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Backglass art is a little hit and miss for me. I like it, but with a lot of pinball art in the 70's, they seem to choose a really weird colour palette. I mean, a pink horse?. Hmmm it's not as bad as the pink Jolly Roger on <a href="http://ipdb.org/showpic.pl?id=391&picno=17255">Gottlieb's Buccaneer</a> I guess. </div>
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I think the theory is that they used weird colour choices because they wanted it to stand out in a crowd of competing machines, and if they used more natural colours, it wouldn't achieve that. </div>
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Thats my theory anyway, and I'm sticking to it! lol</div>
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Until next week</div>
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Happy Pinballing!</div>
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<br />Rod7178http://www.blogger.com/profile/11626552374695463869noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2249989750755140484.post-80132920269245858182012-11-01T19:54:00.000-07:002012-11-01T19:54:03.594-07:00Jumping Jack (Gottlieb 1973)This week we'll be checking out <a href="http://ipdb.org/search.pl?any=jumping+jack&sortby=name&search=Search+Database&searchtype=quick#1329">Gottlieb's Jumping Jack from 1973</a><br />
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At the moment I don't have any EM's in my collection. But definitely on my want list with a couple of others is Jumping Jack.</div>
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The theme and art can be a deal breaker for some. Personally I like it quite a lot. Gameplay wise, it has a lot going for it with a bank of 10 drop targets, 4 flippers, and 2 bumpers placed in an unusual arrangement which was copied a few years later by Bally on their <a href="http://ipdb.org/search.pl?any=old+chicago&sortby=name&search=Search+Database&searchtype=quick#1704">1976 Old Chicago</a> machine.</div>
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I'm a big fan of unusual bumper arrangements. Williams did it quite a bit in the late 60's/early 70's with Norm Clark designed games like <a href="http://ipdb.org/search.pl?any=spanish+eyes&sortby=name&search=Search+Database&searchtype=quick#2265">Spanish Eyes</a>, <a href="http://ipdb.org/search.pl?any=fan+tas+tic&sortby=name&search=Search+Database&searchtype=quick#820">Fan-Tas-Tic</a> etc. It really encourages you to nudge the machine, and get the ball back in play from what appears to be a certain drain. Some people don't like that much because of the added perception of "luck". But I guess Gottlieb managed to cater for everyone back in 1973, because they also released <a href="http://ipdb.org/machine.cgi?id=1374">"King Pin"</a> which has a very similar playfield layout. Just move the bumpers half way up the playfield and put slingshots with in/out lanes in it's place. Replace the upper 3" flippers with 2" flippers and give it a Tenpin Bowling theme and you have King Pin. This is also an amazing game which I would defiantly own. However, JJ is the winner for me because of the lower bumpers and also it's a multi player game (It's more fun to compete!), whereas KP is a single player wedge head and has the standard slings and in/outlanes.</div>
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The above video was taken a couple of years ago and shows the lower bumpers going nuts!. Very cool indeed :)</div>
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Until next week</div>
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<br />Rod7178http://www.blogger.com/profile/11626552374695463869noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2249989750755140484.post-24891251951551444372012-10-26T02:59:00.000-07:002012-10-26T03:01:15.998-07:00Hot Hand By Stern<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12px; letter-spacing: 0px;">Today we’re taking a look at another game from my collection. </span><a href="http://ipdb.org/search.pl?any=hot+hand&search=Search+Database&searchtype=quick#1244" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12px; letter-spacing: 0px;">Hot Hand from Stern Electronics released in 1979</a><br />
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Designed by the late Harry Williams, it had a production run of 4117 and quite a few of them made their way down here to Australia.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">I picked up the game as a non-working project off eBay back in late 2007. It was a spur of the moment thing as it was relatively close, the price was OK, and it was one of those games that I remember playing as a kid when it was brand new.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">A tragic memory of mine was back in 1981 or their abouts, I remember playing this game at the local “Pinny Parlour” as it was known back then, and Juice Newtons “Queen Of Hearts” was playing on the Jukebox. Why that sticks out as memorable, I have no idea!</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Anyway, back to my project game. I got it home and of course it didn’t fire up. Turned out to be a flaky 5101 RAM on the MPU. Once I got it to boot, I had to troubleshoot the lack of sound, which turned out to be the MPU to sound board wiring, which was toast. So once we had sound, it was just a matter of replacing rubber, repining the J1 rectifier board connector which was hard wired to the pins, and general switch adjustments and all the little things you do to make the game play as best as it can.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">The main objective in Hot Hand is to complete the 4 Royal Flush hands that are represented in the middle of the playfield as a bonus grid. The slingshots, left bumper and spinner will change the suit on the bonus grid. Ten, Jack, Queen and King are pretty easy to get by just keeping the ball in play. The real challenge is to light the Aces, which can only be spotted by the middle drop target from the bank of 5. Sure, the target isn’t hard to hit as such. It’s just that you need to have the suit selected for the unlit Ace before you knock that middle drop target down, otherwise you will have to knock all the drops down and reset them and try again!</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Visitors and especially my wife really enjoy this game. It’s very relaxing, and that huge rotating flipper up the top really makes for some hypnotising ball action. I like the game too, but it’s not a game that grabs me enough to play more than a couple of games at a time. I think that’s because as I mentioned earlier, you can just bat the ball around and score pretty well without thinking about it too much. Where as I tend to like games that kick your arse if you’re not concentrating. I usually run my early SS games on 5 ball. I think I might switch this one over to 3 ball for a while and see how we go with that.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Cheers</span></div>
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Rod7178http://www.blogger.com/profile/11626552374695463869noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2249989750755140484.post-57928197644529487462012-10-19T04:43:00.000-07:002012-10-19T05:58:52.659-07:00First Post - 1978 Stern StarsOk so here we go!. First post of many I am sure.<br />
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Lets have a look at this <a href="http://ipdb.org/machine.cgi?id=2366">Stars machine from Stern Electronics.</a><br />
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This is actually my game which I have owned since the late 90's., and I really do rate it highly. I mean, it's just a generic space theme and the art is OK at best. But man, what a great player it is!. </div>
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Designed by the late Steve Kirk, who went on to design Meteor and Nine Ball for Stern, it's one of those machines where "one more game" is the order of the day, as most times it kicks your arse and you'd be lucky to score over 100k.</div>
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But once you get into a groove and start using that centre post between the flippers to your advantage, the tables will turn and you'll hopefully hear the deep 10k chime ringing out loud when you achieve Special from either the drop targets or roving special from the 5 coloured star stand up targets</div>
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Speaking of the chimes. I really am a fan of the early solid state games with the chimes. I guess at the time when they started changing over to electronic sounds it was a big deal. Kinda like going from electro mechanical score reels to digital displays. But 30 years down the track those new fangled electronic sounds are pretty lame. To be fair the Bally and Williams offerings at the time are tolerable, but I wish there was a way to convert the early Stern SB100 games to chimes, that would be sweet!</div>
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OK, so we will leave it at that. Feel free to post your thoughts on the game, or pinball in general. I will be back next week with another video :)</div>
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Cheers</div>
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Rod7178http://www.blogger.com/profile/11626552374695463869noreply@blogger.com0