Midnight Magic

"So simple, yet so addictive"

Of the 60 or so Atari games that I own, this is the one I play the most. It's just a really great pinball game that is highly addictive, and doesn't take too long to play. Everyone should know how to play pinball, it's very very simple. You just try to keep the ball, or in this case, square, going as long as you can, without letting it fall down the drain. And racking up as many points as possible.

There are two sets of flippers, one set is at the bottom of the screen, the other pair is near the middle, one next to the wall on each side. Starting at the bottom, there is a platform underneath the flippers that will save the ball from the drain. But it won't be there until you activate it, which can be done by hitting the plate at the top of the screen with the arrow next to it. Be aware that it won't always save the ball, but it is a major help. On each side of the flippers, there are three slots. The outermost slots will lead to the drain, the inner two lead to a ramp to the flippers. There can be a spring placed in the outer slots that saves the ball, which can be activated with the arrow plate, just like the platform. There are also two bumpers near the flippers.

Straight up from the drain, there is a spinner, which spins when the ball runs through it. Above it, there are three round bumpers. This is where the big money comes, especially in higher levels. There are flippers to the left and right of the spinners, and straight up above the spinner is a small magnet, which can be another good source for points.

At the very top of the screen, there are five different colored plates. This is what you want to shoot for, so make them your #1 target. If you knock out all five, then you move on to the next level. The board stays in the same formation, but it will change color, and all the scoring on that level will be multiplied by 2 (it will say ''2x'' in the middle of the screen). Better yet, you now have a chance to earn an extra ball. There are two loops around the top left and right corners of the table. Hit the ball around one of them, in either direction, and the extra ball is yours. You can only earn one extra ball per level. But, you could knock out all five plates again, and increase the scoring to 3x. It will go as high as 5x. By that time you'll be getting massive point totals from the round bumpers and magnets.

The game consists of five balls, plus any extra balls you earn along the way. Your score can be seen in the middle of the board. It has six digits, and I have yet to turn it over (although I have come very close twice). That's part of the reason I play this so much, I just want to hit 1 million points! The gameplay is great, and obviously the replay value is too.

It's hard to have precision control with the flippers. But it's supposed to be that way. You just have to shoot the ball in the vicinity of your target and hope it connects. The graphics are adequate, there are different colors for the score, the bumpers, the top plates, and several other objects, plus five different board colors. The one thing I don't like is when you get an extra ball, the board glows, which is very painful on the eyes. Even the ball glows with it. I guess they were just making you really earn that extra ball. The sound is great for Atari's standards, there are really good pinball sounds, plus a nice overture for advancing to a higher level, picking up an extra ball, new game and game over, etc. It would have been cool to have a silent background music while the ball is in play, but that's ok.

If you don't have this game, and are still looking for some, this should be high on your list. It won't take you long to get hooked.

Reviewer's Score: 10/10, Originally Posted: 07/11/01, Updated 07/11/01