Anybody can start up a round of pinball, fire off a ball, and connect with a few arbitrary shots. Along the way, even a first time player will interact with a couple of the game's features, maybe even something big like multiball, without giving any thought to the bigger picture the designers had in mind. But there is another of level of play that is uncovered when the player takes the time to learn a few of the goals and shots to aim for. Right from the start, most modern pinball machines have some variety of skill shot based off the plunger - the particulars of which will be on the instructions card under the playfield glass on the lower right hand side.
So the instructions card is not a bad place to begin for any first round with a new pinball machine. It will tell you the overall objectives and key areas of the playfield, as well as offer some interesting tips on how to rack up and collect on bonus points. Some more advanced playfield features may require a series of steps to be completed before you can really get things humming and those particulars will be on the card as well. Granted, the tiny card has it limits and to really get to know a pinball machine you can either play it for hours on end or you can look up it's rule sheet online... A detailed multi-page set of instructions that contains every known element in a game including any hidden surprises the designers tucked away for the truly dedicated player.
On a modern digital pinball machine, I always check the instructions card to learn how to launch the bonus modes. The bonus modes are where all the big points are usually hidden and if there's a big motorized and dramatically themed playfield feature to figure out, there's usually a bonus mode tied to it. Bonus modes are also where Multi-Ball can be found, if you are playing in competition, having several balls on the playfield can really give you an edge. Bonus modes will usually have a progression to the them that terminates in an all out scoring fiesta where certain targets on the playfield will count for Jackpots and Super Jackpots and again Multiball tends to come into play as well.
And this is the state I generally shoot for in a great round of pinball, with the playfield objectives met and top scoring features activated, landing critical shots off the tips of flippers or in rebound off a jet-bumper. Specialty features like robotic hands, ball cannons, or playfield magnets at my control. Intense music and sound effects hyping the excitement and well placed shots... Not to mention a flurry of balls whipping around. Somewhere around here I might take notice of the amount of fun I'm having but to be sure I'm too busy to account for just how much of myself I've forgotten and all told isn't that what recreation is all about?
If I am demoing a pinball machine for a new player, I will encourage them to play at least three rounds on the same game so they can open up some bonus modes and perhaps get a taste of multi-ball. Three rounds may not be enough for the casual player to land a Super Jackpot but it's usually enough to get a sense of the caliber of the machine. Every once and a while a new player will surprise me and have a seemingly endless ball as I watch a connection being made. All it takes is one great round for someone new to fall in love with pinball.
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Theatre of Magic - Modern Digital Pinball Machine
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