Pinball (game)

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Pinball
Pinball Boxart.png
For alternate box art, see the game's gallery.
Developer Nintendo EAD[citation needed]
Publisher Nintendo
Platform(s) Family Computer, Nintendo Entertainment System, VS. System, Family Computer Disk System, e-Reader, Virtual Console (Wii, Wii U), Nintendo Switch (Arcade Archives, Nintendo Entertainment System - Nintendo Switch Online)
Release date Famicom/NES:
Template:Release VS. System:
Template:Release Disk System:
Template:Release e-Reader:
Template:Release Wii (Virtual Console):
Template:Release Wii U (Virtual Console):
Template:Release Nintendo Switch (Arcade Archives):
Template:Release Nintendo Entertainment System - Nintendo Switch Online:
Template:Release
Language(s) English (United States)
Genre Pinball
Rating(s)
ESRB:E - Everyone
PEGI:3 - Three years and older
CERO:A - All ages
ACB:G - General
USK:0 - All ages
Mode(s) Single player, multiplayer
Format
Arcade:
Built-in
NES:
Game Pak
FDS:
Disk Card
Wii:
Digital download
Wii U:
Digital download
Nintendo Switch:
Digital download
Game Boy Advance:
e-Reader card
Input
Arcade:
Joystick
NES:
Wii:
Wii Remote (horizontal)
Wii U:
Wii Remote (horizontal)
Nintendo Switch:
Serial code(s) HVC-PN (Famicom)

Pinball is a game released for the Family Computer in 1984 and the Nintendo Entertainment System in 1985. It is based on the arcade machine of the same name. A competitive multiplayer version of this game was released on the VS. System under the name VS. Pinball. Hudson Soft had planned to release ports of Pinball for home computers in Japan in 1985, but these ports were cancelled for reasons unexplained.[1] The Family Computer version was preceded by a Game & Watch version in December 1983,[2] but unlike the Family Computer and Nintendo Entertainment System releases, it is not a game of the Super Mario franchise.

The home console version of Pinball was re-released through the Family Computer Disk System's Disk Writer, for the Game Boy Advance's e-Reader as part of Series One, on the Virtual Console for the Wii and Wii U, and on the Nintendo Entertainment System - Nintendo Switch Online application for the Nintendo Switch. The Japanese version of VS. Pinball was re-released worldwide for the Nintendo Switch as part of Hamster Corporation's Arcade Archives series on August 30, 2019.[3][4]

Gameplay

Gameplay of the top screen in Pinball
Gameplay of scene A

Pinball is a game where the player controls the flippers of a virtual pinball machine. The game has three scenes: scene A, scene B, and the Bonus Stage. The goal of the game is to earn points in order to achieve a high score.

Gameplay begins when the player launches a ball with the striker from the bottom of scene B to the top of scene A. Gameplay switches between scene A and scene B depending on where the ball moves. In scene A and scene B, the player controls the flippers on either side of the screen to deflect the ball. If the ball falls off the bottom of scene B, the player loses the ball. If the ball enters the hole in scene B, the Bonus Stage begins.

In the Bonus Stage, the player controls Mario carrying a platform. Mario must rescue a lady by bouncing the ball off of his platform so it passes through bingo lamps, in order to decrease the size of the floor so the lady falls through. Mario must then catch the lady with his platform and bring her safely to one of the exits on either side of the stage. If the ball falls off the bottom of the screen, it is ejected from the hole kicker in scene A and the pinball game continues. If Mario allows the lady to fall to the bottom, the player loses their ball and returns to scene B where they must launch a new ball; if the player has no more balls, allowing the lady to hit the bottom results in a Game Over.

VS. Pinball made several changes to the original game in graphics, music, and gameplay. If the player hatches three pink chicks and the ball falls off the bottom of scene B, a character will appear and return the ball. In the Japanese version, it is a red Achilles from Family BASIC. In the international version, it is Bubbles from the then-upcoming Clu Clu Land. The hole kicker in scene A has been replaced by another hole. If the ball falls into it, it will be ejected horizontally from the hole in scene B.

Controls

  • +Control Pad – control left flipper; control Mario in the Bonus Stage
  • A Button B Button – activate striker; control right flipper

Characters

Character Name Description
Mario Mario The player controls Mario in the Bonus Stage.
Lady Lady Mario must catch the lady (also known as Pauline) when she falls down, then carry her safely to the exit.

Items and objects

Most of these objects are referred to as Pinball Parts.

Image Name Description
The ball from Pinball. Ball The ball is used to interact with Pinball Parts to earn points. The player starts with three balls, and earns an extra ball for every 50,000 points earned. If the player loses all of their balls, the game is over.
The flippers from Pinball. Flippers Flippers are used to bounce the ball in scene A and scene B.
The striker from Pinball. Striker The striker is used to launch a ball from the bottom of scene B to the top of scene A.
A "3" icon that can be displayed on a slot window from Pinball. A "7" icon that can be displayed on a slot window from Pinball. A penguin as seen in Pinball Slot windows If the ball passes through the lane on the right of scene A, the slot windows start rotating.
The slot target from Pinball. Slot target If the ball hits the slot target, the slot window below it stops rotating.
A block post from Pinball. Up-post The up-post (also known as block post) prevents the ball from falling in between the flippers, and can appear in scene A and scene B.
The targets in scene B of Pinball. Targets The ball can hit targets to earn bonus points and activate certain events.
A blue bumper from Pinball. A pink bumper from Pinball. An amber-colored bumper from Pinball. Bumpers Bumpers award points and cause the ball to bounce around. They appear in three colors: blue, pink, and amber.
Each type of face up card from Pinball. Cards If the ball turns all five cards face up, the up-post in scene B is raised.
An egg from Pinball. Egg Eggs hatch into chicks if the ball touches them.
A chick from Pinball. Chick Birds that hatch from eggs, which then flap their wings.
A stopper from Pinball. Stopper Two stoppers appear in scene B if three chicks are hatched at the same time.
A hole from Pinball. Hole If the ball reaches the hole in scene B, it enters the Bonus Stage.
Sprites of each color and number of bingo lamp from Pinball. Bingo lamps Bingo lamps change color if the ball passes through them. If all of the bingo lamps with the same number become the same color, the floor below the lady becomes shorter.

References in later games

Staff

  • Hirokazu Tanaka - Music Programmer
  • Satoru Iwata - Programmer
  • Satoshi Matsuoka - Programmer
  • Yukio Kaneoka - Composer

Descriptions

Original instruction booklet

Be a Pinball Wizard!!!!!
Bank off bumpers, flip double flippers, even win a bonus round. Play on
three different game screens and be challenged at two different levels of diffi-
culty. Rack-up points to beat your opponent and progress to the bonus
round where you'll save the fallen maiden and win the game.

Arcade Archives

"Pinball" is a pinball game released by Nintendo in 1984.
The rules are simple even for beginners: try to gain points without losing the ball. However, with various tricks and features, the game offers a depth that even experts can enjoy.
Fans can also enjoy seeing Mario and Lady from "DONKEY KONG" in the bonus stage!

Nintendo Switch Online

Hit targets and rack up points in this classic pinball game!

Featuring a bonus mode starring Nintendo's legendary character, Mario, you control our hero as he holds a platform and uses it to keep the ball in the air. Your goal is to save Pauline. If she falls and hits the ground, you lose a ball—but if you save her and lead her to the exit, you'll get a nice surprise! This game is fun and easy to learn, and includes bonus balls for high scorers—and even a two-player mode. This is a game both pinball fans and novices alike can enjoy!

Gallery

For this subject's image gallery, see Gallery:Pinball.

Media

Pinball

Help:MediaHaving trouble playing?

VS. Pinball

Help:MediaHaving trouble playing?

Names in other languages

Language Name Meaning Notes
Japanese ピンボール[?]
Pinbōru
Pinball

Trivia

  • Pinball is the first released video game that Satoru Iwata programmed for Nintendo; his first Famicom project, a 1983 home conversion of the 1982 arcade game Joust, remained unreleased for over four years until its eventual 1987 production by HAL Laboratory.[5]
  • Pinball is a playable NES game in Doubutsu no Mori for Nintendo 64 and its GameCube port, Animal Crossing.

References

  1. ^ June 1985. micomBASIC Magazine. Dempa Publications' Inc. (Japanese).
  2. ^ Pinball. In the Attic (British English). Retrieved April 29, 2022.
  3. ^ Hamster Corporation. Arcade Archives: Pinball.
  4. ^ Nintendo of America. Arcade Archives Pinball for Nintendo Switch. Nintendo Official Site (www.nintendo.com) (American English).
  5. ^ Satoru Iwata – 1999 Developer Interview originally featured in Used Games magazine, translated by shmuplations.com

External links