My Pinball Arcade Reviews Part 3

Part 3 of my Pinball Arcade reviews has arrived. Now since my last post on the subject, the gang at Farsight Studios has added Phantom Of The opera by Data East to the line-up. This brings the total to 51 tables and they'll probably have added another to the line-up by the time I'm done publishing these posts. I'm hoping for either Earthshakers or Comet. They just successfully wrapped up their Kickstarter campaign to be able to pay the licencing fees for The Addams Family. That should be out in February. WOO HOO. I have fond memories of playing that table at a now defunct arcade just across the street from a Mcdonald's. Sitting in that dimly lit arcade with a Big Mac and fries on one side of the playfield and a large Coke on the other. Eating and drinking between balls. Good times. Good times.

Firepower

This outer space based arcade classic from 1980 was the first to use player controlled lane change among other firsts in pinball. I like the robotic speech on this table. A solid 4 1/2 stars goes its way.

Fish Tales

This fishing based table from 1992 is an awesome game. Willians replaced the plunger with a button activated caster. The goal is to catch all five fish and activate Feeding Frenzy. Not to mention Multiball and a video mode in which you get to shoot mortars at jet skiers and boaters on an over crowded lake. Got pretty good in the accuracy department when I played it. All in all a darn good catch. I give this one 5 stars.

Flight 2000

Yet another space based pinball table from 1980. This was Sterns first talking pinball game and featured a unique 3 stage Multiball system. Not a bad game at all. 4 stars for this space case.

Funhouse

This arcade classic from 1990 is one of the most iconic pinball tables ever. What pinballer doesn't remember Rudy. The talking animatronic head that resonds in real time to events in the game. The goal is to get the clock to strike Midnight so that Rudy falls asleep. When that happens shooting the ball into Rudys mouth starts Multiball for the chance at big points. I remember playing this one at numerous spots around town. 5 stars and a hot dog go to this amusement park attraction.

Genie

This wide bodied beauty from 1979 is considered one of the best wide tables of all time. It features a mini playfield on the upper left side of the playfield. A very addictive game is this one. 5 stars and an all kazam goes to this gem.

Goin' Nuts

This squirrel based table from 1982 is one of the rarest ever. It never made it into production because new management at Gottlieb thought wide tables were too expensive too mass produce. Only ten were ever made and used for demonstration purposes at trade shows. A crying shame since this game is awesome. There is no plunger. Instead each turn stars out with 3 balls auto launched onto the playfield. Play lasts until either the timer runs out or you drain the last ball. You can extend the timer and re-launch lost balls by hitting certain targets. Just the idea of starting a game in Multiball is cool. Did I forget to mention that this game has no outlanes so the only way to lose a ball other than it going into the outhole is when time runs out. I wish they would've put this one into production but alt least I can play it on Pinball Arcade. A solid 5 stars goes to this nutty rarity.

Gorgar

If the sight of almost naked females makes you squeamish than this Tarzan waanabe from 1979 might not be for you. But if not than its worth a round or three. It was the first talking pinball table. The Primitive Gorgar speaks seven words in total and puts them in sentences like Me Got You and You Hurt Gorgar. The game also features a heartbeat sound that increases in speed as the player gets better. Like I said if you don't mind the sight of Leopard skin bikini clad babes this might just be your cup of tea. 4 stars and a grunt go out to this caveman classic.

Harley Davidson: 3rd Edition

This bad boy from 1999 combines pinball and Harleys. Who wouldn't like a combo like that. With 3 Multiball modes, a video mode where you use the flipper buttons to control an actual Fat Boy as it weaves its way though traffic and a sacale model Harley that does a wheelie to reveal a ball lock there is plenty of goodies to keep players busy. 5 stars for this thrill machine. Live to Ride. Ride to live.

Haunted House

This ghostly classic from 1982 is considered an iconic table due to its tri level design based on a haunted house. The levels represent the attic, the main floor, and the basement. The haunting organ music adds to the theme and experience. I give this spooky table 5 stars and a boo.

High Roller Casino

This high stakes table from 2001 put players in the role of a gambler with money burning a hole in his pocket. With bumpers that look like poker chips and a functioning Roulette wheel and slot machine, this table brings all the thrills of Vegas straight to you without having to reserve a hotel room ordeal with airport security. I give 5 stars and 10 to 1 odds on this high roller.