Coin Slot Magazine - #042 - 1978 - July [International Arcade Museum]
We are not familiar with the authors, Bobbye Claire Natkin and
Steve Kirk, but Kirk reveals himself to be the president of "Pinball
Association of America, Inc.", a "national players organization
dedicated to the promotion and expansion of the sport of pinball".
which also conducts tournaments. While we have been unimpressed
with other organizations in the business of promoting pinball tour
naments, these people seem to have the time and love for pinball
to stage them well.
Each chapter of AAP contains surprises, insights, and ample
evidence of the immense research which has gone into the book.
The early history is written sometimes from a macro standpoint,
discussing pinball in relation to economics or architecture, or to
primitive tribes in
New Guinea, and sometimes from
a
micro
standpoint, detailing the beginnings of each important develop
ment in play.
In contrast to Roger Sharpe's book Pinball! (to be
reviewed in a future column), the games pictured in AAP are very
important in themselves, demanding thanks from
game for the features they pioneered.
every
newer
It is sad that the color
photography is poor, since the photo of HUMPTY DUMPTY is
the first in any publication.
The Pinball Association's right to conduct tournaments is sealed
by the four chapters in the middle of the book on how to play
pinball.
Natkin and Kirk emphasize the skill aspects of modern
flipper pinball, and they've written the best "how-to" yet for the
would-be wizard.
Eschewing nonsense such as suggesting a stance
or a breathing pattern, they concentrate on the use of "primary
action components" to one's best advantage, detailing a quantity
of flipper shots, explaining hudging (that's hitting and nudging),
giving pages to the ball shooter, which though not strictly a "pri
mary action component" is another item which imparts motion
to the ball,
technique.
its use deserving a goodly amount of thought and
They also include a discussion of information which
deserves, but does not receive, space on every pinball's instruction
card.
There is also a beautiful technical discussion of the scoring
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pinball are all covered in a way which cannot but help the game.
motor which should be helpful to all who have never owned a
pinball.
Congratulations to the authors!
© The International Arcade Museum
11
http://www.arcade-museum.com/