Page 52 - OSG Presents Classic Gamer Magazine #2

Welcome to the second install- resolution is higher (objects are sound effects round out this game,
ment of my Video-Pinball column. smaller), allowing you to see making it more than just playable.
This issue, I will be reviewing more more on the screen at once.
recent games. The first one is Pin- Since you can see more at Billion Dollar is an obvious rip-
ball Fantasies for the once, you can off of Bally’s ‘Billion Dol-
Atari Jaguar. I origi- make better lar Game show starring
nally owned a copy for ramp shots, etc. Keith McTeeth!’ with a
the Amiga 1200 when it Other than that, Wheel of Fortune type
came out and now also I really like the wheel in the middle of
have it for the PC. game. You can the playfield. Basically,
There are minor differ- change the set- it’s just a fancy bonus
ences between the dif- tings on the counting system that
ferent platforms, which Jaguar version adds to the game show
will be discussed later. to make the theme. Like Partyland
Pinball Fantasies is playfield scroll and Speed Devils, you
basically 4 pinball faster, allowing have a flipper near the
games in one package: you to get a bet- top of the playfield that
Partyland, Speed Dev- ter “grip” of is supposed to assist in
ils, Billion Dollar, and what's going on. getting the ball up a
Stones n’ Bones. Al- Partyland gets ramp. The problem
though I like most of the a score of 9 with the flipper in Billion
different boards, Party- out of 10. Dollar is the fact that
land is my favorite with the flipper is too large.
Billion Dollar coming in Partyland Speed Devils Billion Dollar The large flipper could
last. is the second game included in work, but it also sits a little too low
Partyland has that classic ad- Pinball Fantasies. This is al- to make your shot consistently. I
dictive quality that most real pinball most a rip-off of a well known consider this to be a design flaw,
machines inherently have. Lots of Williams arcade game called minor to some, but major to me as
ramps, an extra flipper to make that ‘High Speed.’ In Speed Devils, it affects the game play. There’s
tough ramp shot that builds your you have a flipper near the top not much to do in this game as
cyclone value, and great graphics of the playfield that assists in there are fewer targets to hit than
are what this table is all about. spelling ‘P-I-T,’ which, when ac- the games already mentioned. All
Partyland also delivers that authen- complished, lights the bonus in all, I do not enjoy Billion Dollar in
tic “I’m at the carnival” experience, multiplier that you need to roll the slightest. It seems as if they
thanks to the graphics and sound over. Speed Devils also has just threw it in the package to give
effects. There is even a slot ma- plenty of ramp shots to make, you a higher perceived value.
chine feature that spits out random and stationary targets which you I give it a 6 out of 10.
point values and bonuses. I do can cycle using your flipper but- Stones ‘n Bones is my second
have one minor gripe about these tons. This is pretty confusing ac- favorite board. Lots of eerie sound
games for the Jaguar: Since this is tually as you cannot see where effects and spooky graphics really
a scrolling game, which means you your ball is going to go anyway add to the game’s overall theme.
can only see about 1/3 of the play- (thanks to only being able to see Stationary targets are well laid out
field at any given time, everything 1/ 3 of the screen at once), so and do not “cycle” when you hit the
on the screen is too large. All luck had better be on your side if flipper buttons, unlike the ones in
things considered, this is not a fea- you are to make all of the tar- Speed Devils. A couple of well laid
ture you want in a pinball game. gets. Because of this, Speed out ramp shots keep your attention
This is where the PC versions are Devils gets a 7.5 out of 10. as you gather more bonus points.
superior. While they still scroll, the Nice board layout, colors and This is a great game that keeps

Classic Gamer Magazine Winter 2000 52