Pinball (game)

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Pinball
Pinball Boxart.png
Developer Nintendo EAD[citation needed]
Publisher Nintendo
Platform(s) NES, 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:
Japan February 2, 1984
USA October 18, 1985
Europe January 9, 1986
VS. System:
Japan August 1984[1]
USA October 1984[2]
Disk System:
Japan May 31, 1989[3]
e-Reader:
USA September 16, 2002[4]
Mexico October, 2002[5]
Wii (Virtual Console):
USA November 19, 2006
Japan December 2, 2006
Europe December 15, 2006
Australia December 15, 2006
Wii U (Virtual Console):
Japan October 23, 2013[6]
USA October 24, 2013[7]
Europe October 24, 2013[8]
Australia October 24, 2013
Nintendo Switch (Arcade Archives):
Japan August 30, 2019
USA August 30, 2019
Europe August 30, 2019
Australia August 30, 2019
Nintendo Entertainment System - Nintendo Switch Online:
USA May 26, 2022[9]
Japan May 27, 2022[10]
Europe May 27, 2022[11]
Australia May 27, 2022
Genre Pinball
Mode(s) Single player, multiplayer
Media
Arcade:
Built-in
NES:
Game Pak
FDS:
Floppy disk
Wii:
Digital download
Wii U:
Digital download
Nintendo Switch:
Digital download
Input
Arcade:
Joystick
NES:
Wii:
Wii Remote (horizontal)
Wii U:
Wii Remote (horizontal)
Nintendo Switch:

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 unknown reasons.[12] The Family Computer version was preceded by a Game & Watch version in December 1983.[13] However, this version has no Super Mario elements.

The NES version of Pinball was re-released on the Family Computer Disk System, 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.[14][15]

Gameplay[edit]

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 A to the top of scene B. 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 falls through the hole in scene B, it enters the Bonus Stage.

Bonus Stage[edit]

Screenshot of Breakout Mode in Pinball.
Main article: Bonus Stage (Pinball)

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 exits the Bonus Stage and is ejected from the hole kicker in Scene A.

Controls[edit]

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

VS. Pinball[edit]

Gameplay for VS. Pinball. This version has some unique features like the pink chicks which grant an extra ball if it drops. Bubbles is seen here floating up with wing-like arms. She will transform into the extra ball.
Bubbles floating up

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.

Characters[edit]

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[edit]

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[edit]

Staff[edit]

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

Descriptions[edit]

Original instruction booklet[edit]

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[edit]

"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[edit]

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[edit]

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

Media[edit]

Pinball[edit]

Audio.svg Title theme
File infoMedia:Pinball Title.oga
Audio.svg Bonus points jingle
File infoMedia:Pinball Bonus.oga
Help:MediaHaving trouble playing?

VS. Pinball[edit]

Audio.svg Start
File infoMedia:VS Pinball Start.oga
Audio.svg BGM 1
File infoMedia:VS Pinball BGM 1.oga
Audio.svg Bonus Stage (international version)
File infoMedia:VS Pinball Bonus Stage.oga
Audio.svg Ball Saved ~ BGM 2
File infoMedia:VS Pinball Ball Saved BGM 2.oga
Audio.svg Game Over
File infoMedia:VS Pinball Game Over.oga
Audio.svg Unknown jingle
File infoMedia:VS Pinball Unknown Jingle.oga
Help:MediaHaving trouble playing?

Names in other languages[edit]

Language Name Meaning
Japanese ピンボール
Pinbōru
Pinball

Trivia[edit]

External links[edit]

Websites

References[edit]