Play Meter

control and an automatic pitching
feature to speed up the game.
Tornado Baseball also features
complete outfielder control for de-
fense and a pitcher that throws fast
balls, slow balls, curves, sliders and
a change-up. Dual controls allow
the players to alternate without
changing positions .
An added plus in Tornado Base-
ball is that a self-testing system has
been programmed to detect a
defective RAM or ROM for quicker
service .
The game contains a solid -state
TV monitor and double coinchutes .
The beautifully designed cabinet
measures 26 Y2" x 32" x 66" .
Set Shot
A first for Exidy, Inc ., Old Time
Basketball is the beginning of a
series of electro-mechanical games
all of which will be produced in the
same cabinet configuration . The
cabinet of this new game, Exidy's
initial venture away from video, is
solid birch so that each cabinet will
have its own distinctive grain and
beauty .
Old Time Basketball takes about
.55 seconds to play . The player
cannot dawdle; he must shoot
quickly and accurately to score
baskets. A defender moves contin-
ually back and forth in front of the
shooter, raising his arms to attempt
to block each shot .
A game consists of 15 shots and
the player is rated , based on the
number of baskets he makes, as
a rookie, sharpshooter , pro or
expert .
The game is operator
adjustable to allow for extended
play of five or more shots . It is
shipped with play pricing at two
games for 25 cents but is also
operator adjustable to either straight
quarter or dime play.
Old Time Basketball possesses a
solid -state sound , scoring and credit
system, and the graphics of the
game, particularly the birch cabinet ,
are designed to give it a true
"old-time " flavor.
~
~
It's a Hit
~
Atari , Inc . has unveiled, for July
-
38
Old Time Basketball
release , the all new Flyball . This
two-player game has new operator
options and exciting play features.
It is "like playing the real thing ,"
players at test locations report.
Unique electronic design and
programming provide more realistic
animation and displays, including
easy-to-follow player instructions,
scoring and innings .
Flyball allows the player to bunt,
to hit home runs , to steal bases, to
throw curves or fast balls , to
complete a double play and more .
Balls and strikes are called .
An animated ballplayer running
the bases attracts the future player' s
attention and invites him to play the
game. Flashing instructions on the
23" monitor explain the rules. Play
starts with flashing signs pointing to
the pitcher and batter, each player
set to control his man ; the crowd
cheers and the first pitch is on the
way .
Continuous joystick control
moves the pitcher's arm realistically
forward . The batter swings . It's a
hit! The ball goes into the playfield;
the crowd screams louder as the
batter runs the bases . The pitcher
directs his man to run up or down ,
to the left or right , chasing the ball.
When he catches it, he has to tag
the base runner before he reaches
base to put him out . This allows for
three or four seconds of action play .
If the fielder misses the ball, it's a
round-tripper and the words "Home
Run" flash on the screen.
Players are not required to switch
positions when teams change sides
after three outs. Flashing signs tell
them who is pitching and who is
batting.
Repeat play of Flyball increases
the action and player ability: faster
pitches, in -flight curve control, fast-
er swings of the bat for harder hits
and hit placement to any field are all
posible .
" It all adds up to exciting ,
repeat-play baseball action ," Frank
Ballouz, Atari's national sales man-
ager, said . " Players can even use
tactics as in a real game ."
New operator options include
selectable game time for one or two
innings of play and adjustability for
25 cents or 50 cents for one game .
High volume sound effects, lighted
attraction panel, and bright panel
and video bezel graphics are design-
ed to attract players of all ages in
any location .
Flyba/l