Hey,
good buddy
Midway's new offering , 18 Wheel-
er , features Big Wheel steering
apparatus , gear shift knob , massive
foot pedals that operate the hammer
accelerator and air brake stop , and a
strikingly attractive cabinet.
The game offers a test of skill and
reaction intended to challenge even
the professional driver . The player
presses the start button , shifts into
first gear , hits the Hammer , and the
18 Wheeler is on its way . The object
is to keep the truck on the road , pick
up loads , and make time . A shift into
second and third gear at appropriate
M. P. H . creates faster action , more
speed and the opportunity to score
more pOints . The game requires
agility and coordination : while the
left hand steers the big wheel, the
right hand operates the gear shift ,
and the right foot works the hammer
and the air brake.
The light-up mode indicates warn -
ings and directions to the player .
When the truck goes off course , "Off
The Road " flashes on the screen , a
crash sound is heard , and the vehicle
falters . The player must then down
shift , accelerate , and get back on the
road .
Additionally , 18 Wheeler presents
a full range of sound , a colorful
roadside panorama , and simulated
loading docks along the route .
Game time is adjustable from sixty
to ninety seconds in ten second
increments. Extended play is award-
ed for scoring 6,000 through 20,000
points depending upon the game
time adjustment. High score of the
day is posted , and a special skill
attract mode starts the game working
after delay in use to invite more play .
PLAY METER, August, 1979
Familiar
strains
Exciting new multi-mode sounds
are the focal point of Totem , the
current 4-player solid state flipper
from Gottlieb .
The new sound concept includes
two alternative selections, arcade
sounds and melodic tunes-and -
tones . The electronic arcade sounds
follow a science fiction motif and
their mod structure and contempo-
rary feel are deSignated for family
oriented locations . The tunes range
from identifiable melodies to short
bursts of attention -getting song clus-
ters which highlight coin insertion ,
game starts , scoring , and the end of
the game .
Another sound feature of the new
Gottlieb pin is the "attract" mode .
With this device in action , there is a
random playing of a special tune
after the game has been idle for six
minutes .
Totem sports three head-on pairs
of drop targets and a curving upper
left lane leading to Gottlieb's Vari-
Target. The player will find a number
of variations in scoring possibilities,
including A-B-C-O rollovers in com-
bination with the drop targets. The
targets can lead to a score of
100 ,000 pOints , if, following their
accomplishment the player runs the
ball into the special kick-out hole.
Various positions of the Vari-Target
also yield high scores . The bull's-eye
target can produce an extra ball .
The Totem backglass art predict-
ably depicts a regal and determined
Indian in full war regalia against a
backdrop of native American artifacts
and symbolism .