PINBALL

LATEST VERSION 1.2

REQUIREMENTS: Tandy Color Computer 3 with 512K RAM

The only commercial grade pinball game specifically made for the CoCo3. Inspired by vintage mechanical pinball machines, it displays a scrolling view of the table over a larger playfield with realistic retro pinball sound effects.

“The biggest challenge for me was to create realistic ball physics without the need to delve into any math, an area I'm not so skilled. While not perfect, I prioritized it to at least be fast and fun while filling a gap in the CoCo3 games library."

Nickolas Marentes (Developer)  

TABLE LAYOUT:

                   

A: MAGNETRON (points doubled)- When activated, the Magnetron creates a powerful swirling magnetic field that distorts the trajectory of the metal ball as it passes over it. This makes the ball’s movement momentarily unpredictable. As a bonus, all scores obtained when the Magnetron is on are doubled.  

B: BUMPER BONUS - As the ball hits any of the 3 Bumpers, the red lights turn on in sequence. When all 5 red lights illuminate, the Bumper Bonus light below illuminates and the 60 points Inlane Rollovers (G) activate.  

C: BUMPERS (50 points) - Targets that forcefully kick the ball away when struck.  

D: EXTRA BALL TARGETS (40 points each) - As the ball hits any of the Extra Ball targets, the lights next to the corresponding letter illuminates. When all 5 lights illuminate, you are awarded an extra ball (maximum of 5).  

E: TILT - A mechanism to prevent the player from shaking the table too hard. When triggered, this light turns on and power to the table is temporarily cut off ending the current ball in play.  

F: OUTLANE ROLLOVER (90 points) - When the the light is illuminated green, the rollover is active.  

G: INLANE ROLLOVER (60 points) - When the the light is illuminated red, the rollover is active.  

H: BALL INDICATOR (5 max) - Shows the number of available balls left in reserve.  

I: BALL RETURN LIGHT - When this light is on it indicates that the ball return mechanism is active. If you lose the ball in play, it will automatically be relaunched into play.  

J: SCORE COUNTER (99999 max) - A rotating drum style 5 digit score display.  

K: FLIPPERS (left and right) - Used by the player to control the ball. The left flipper is activated using the CTRL or LEFT ARROW or F1 key. The right flipper is activated using the RIGHT ARROW or F2 key.  

L: SLINGSHOT (10 points) - Kicks the ball away when it hits.  

M: BALL RETURN ROLLOVER (80 points) - Activates the Ball Return mechanism. When activated, the Ball Return light turns on (green).  

N: MAGNETRON TARGETS (60 points x 5) - When all 5 target lights are lit, the Magnetron is activated. 

LOADING:

Mount game disk into Drive 0.

Type RUN"PINBALL" and press ENTER.

Game will load and execute.

CONTROLS:

START GAME - SPACEBAR at the title screen.

LEFT FLIPPER - CTRL or RIGHT ARROW or F1

RIGHT FLIPPER - RIGHT ARROW or F2

NUDGING - Tap the SPACEBAR to shake the table enough to influence the ball but not to result in a TILT.

ABORT CURRENT GAME - Hold the BREAK key until game aborts.

GAME TESTING: 

Many thanks to Steve Rasmussen (Buck Owens) for his amazing game playing skills and thorough testing.