Video Pinball

"A highly addictive pinball simulator"

Despite the fact that the authentic *plink plink* of a pinball machine could not be as maserfully simulated in those times, there was, and still is, something alluring to Video Pinball. It simply was pinball with Atari style of love. The typical graphics and animation, the similar gameplay, all the elements bringing us the best of both worlds. To lay it on thick, it's almost as though an Atari 2600 played a little Barry White, laid down by the fire with a beautiful pinball machine, and thus we now have Video Pinball. Unfortunately, the fun factor to this game may be hampered by the newer pinball simulators out there. Many people out there could very well plug this game in (or download it, as they are today) and think, ''Aye... I've been shafted! This isn't anything like Super Orgasmo Pinball Simulator EX 8053 and a Half Special Limited Edition!'' As we delve further into the darkness of the background, the single colors that make up this environment, and the seductive world contained in that little black cart, you will see why some of us old timers really enjoy this game, especially on lonely nights when you drink a lot of wine and cry silently to yourself.

[disregard last sentence]

Anywho, the obvious aim was to get as close to a pinball simulator with Atari's hardware as they possibly could. Given the times and what they could do with the hardware, this is a great attempt. The graphics give us a sense of a pinball world never imagined... Until NES. The entire game itself occupies only one screen where later games would occupy more than a screen's worth (no, that's not a complaint, just a comparison). One single screen, oddly enough, is all that's needed! The only thing this game could have used graphically was more color. The pallet is pretty dry on this game, unfortunately, making the scenery look a little more dull.

You must be wondering if there's an objective behind this game. Well, yes. As stated before, this has the distinct elements of Atari built into it. After launching the ball, you are in control of two entities (three, technically): The flippers and the ball itself. Using the analog, you can move the flippers either individually or simultaneously. Like any pinball game, they can help keep the ball in motion. There is one downside here, however. There are times where the flippers more like impediments than aids. Sometimes, the ball will hit the flippers and stop, or sometimes by trying to hit the ball with the flippers, the ball itself will just lay on the flipper, cold dead. The best thing we can say about the flippers is that they at least control properly. When you hit the direction over, they almost immediately shoot up. Wait a minute! You said you can control the ball! Really! Yes, technically. By pushing and holding the action button, and moving the analog, you can ''tilt'' the game like regular pinball. However, when done for too long, you lose a life. The fact that you can tilt lends more of the pinball elements to the game, lending an even more eclectic feeling to the game. The best part about this is that the ball actually moves about the same speed as a regular pinball when you tilt. Given the fact that this is a much older game, the ball actually acts correctly, at least in the sense of tilting. That, in itself, is worthy of praise!

Now, getting to the object, you have to move those flippers and tilt the game enough to get those diamond shapes at the top of the screen. Should you get all three, you advance to the next level and start the process over again. Here's where there is a bit more complication, but only a minor one. Despite the date of the game, the physics do not seem quite right. The ball seems to lose momentum too easily at times. This makes for some small frustration in keeping alive. There will be times when you will be stuck on the bottom and the only thing that can save you is clever tilting and use of the flippers at just the right times. All in all, however, the gameplay is superlative! The ball can get going quite fast. It eventually becomes very addictive trying to get the diamonds, or even trying to go for a few of the side objects, such as the Atari logos.

You may be noticing something missing. Music. This is a good thing, trust me. Given what type of actual ''soundtracks'' we've heard from Atari games, a nerve-wrecking soundtrack to tarnish this game is much better left out. In place of the annoying humdrum of beeps and blips, we get broken sound effects of beeps and blips as the ball pongs its way around the screen. The ball makes beautiful and heartwarming sounds as it hits the walls. Anyone could say, ''Hey! That doesn't sound like a pinball machine! I thought you said this simulates pinball pretty well!'' I also said it borrowed a lot of elements from Atari itself, so stop pestering me with those damned phone calls that result in nothing but maniacal panting on the other end! Getting back to what I was talking about, the sound for this game earns itself a happy average. More types of sound effects would have been appreciated, but maybe that's asking too much.

To create a simulation of any device is difficult. To do so effectively with older hardware is sheer genius. The developers definitely put some hard work and consideration into this game when breathing life into it. Let's not just make a regular old pinball game, let's find ways to make it act like a pinball game, or as close as we could get. Sure, the ball slows down just out of nowhere, but other areas of the game act fairly close (as close as they could, given the hardware) to an actual pinball game. The key element that lends strength to this has to be the controls, specifically when tilting. This is one place where stiff controls actually make the game more enjoyable. One of the very few times.

To compare this to other pinball games is not a total bias or invalid comparison. It is difficult for many who are used to the advanced to give a firm judgment on the simplistic and primitive. This game now lies only in obscurity. The best part of that is that of all the classics you see present in the Atari/Colecovision/Intelevision/Odyssey^2/etc. line-up, this is one of the very last that will probably be seeing a horrid remake. It should stay in its original form for many years, unloved and not looked upon except by those that should open their minds enough to give it a try. Whether it is enjoyed or not is trivial. The fact is it's an unsung classic. It was one of the first of its kind, and it's genre was not dealt the fate of a swan song. Unfortunately, the pinball simulator genre is suffering one of the most atrocious acts that any genre can be subjected to. The only games that seem to be coming out for it anymore are quick buck license titles like KISS Pinball. The industry figures if a license cannot crank out a top selling platformer, they'll go for something cheaper to create and worthy of selling at a $10 price. Maybe I'm being too critical. Eh...

FINAL JUDGMENT
Graphics: Nothing incredibly sophisticated, but works with the concept 7/10
Sounds: Missing a few sound effects, thankfully devoid of music 7/10
Controls: The realistic control response make this the strongest point of the game 10/10
Plot/Storyline: N/A
Gameplay: Fairly addictive, but not without a few small flaws 8/10
All Together: 8/10

Perks
*Great controls!
*No music! Yes, this is good!
*The closest you could get to a good simulator with older hardware

Downers
*The ball stopping suddenly
*Needs a better range of colors

Recommendation
To any Atari fans, I recommend this game. Any way you can find to play it, do so. It could take a few minutes to get the hang of it, though. Anyone out there who isn't really into pinball or Atari should avoid this game.

Reviewer's Score: 8/10, Originally Posted: 01/29/01, Updated 03/20/03