Pinball (game)

Pinball is a game released for the Family Computer in 1984 and the Nintendo Entertainment System in 1985. It is based on the arcade. 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. The Family Computer version was preceded by a Game & Watch version in December 1983. However, this version has no 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 's Arcade Archives series on August 30, 2019.

Gameplay
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


In the Bonus Stage, the player controls Mario carrying a platform. Mario must rescue Pauline by bouncing the ball off of his platform so it passes through bingo lamps, in order to decrease the size of the floor so Pauline falls through. Mario must then catch Pauline 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

 * – activate striker; control left flipper
 * – control right flipper; control Mario in the Bonus Stage

VS. Pinball
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 .

Items and objects
Most of these objects are referred to as Pinball Parts.

References in later games

 * Family BASIC: This accessory to the Famicom features sprites of Pauline and a penguin, which are very similar to the ones found in Pinball.
 * WarioWare: Twisted!: A microgame named Pinball, based on the Bonus Stage, appears in 9-Volt's stage.
 * Super Smash Bros. series: Mario's outfit on the American boxart of Pinball is used as one of Luigi's alternate costumes in Super Smash Bros. Brawl, Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS / Wii U, and Super Smash Bros. Ultimate.
 * NES Remix / NES Remix Pack: Several challenges in NES Remix are based on this game.
 * WarioWare Gold: A different microgame named Pinball, based on scene A, appears in 5-Volt's stage.

Staff

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

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&mdash;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&mdash;and even a two-player mode. This is a game both pinball fans and novices alike can enjoy!''

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 , remained unreleased for over four years until its eventual 1987 production by HAL Laboratory.
 * Pinball is a playable NES game in Doubutsu no Mori for Nintendo 64 and its GameCube port, Animal Crossing.