Play Meter

Pinball
punctuation
Skateball, the newest 4-player re-
lease and the first with 7 -digit
scoring with commas from Bally
Pinball Division, features the feeling
of playfield dominance with the new
lane-control button. The right flipper
button rotates the top playfield 1-2-3
ball lanes lights for player lane -
control.
The S-K-A-T -E drop targets and
A-B rollovers combine to advance the
saucer values. The first completion .o f
the skate sequence lights the saucer
for 50K, the skate targets for 10 ,000
points each, and one top rollover
button for bonus. The second com -
pletion lites the saucer for lOOK and
the other top button for bonus; the
third lights the saucer for extra ball;
and the fourth lights the outlane
rollover special. Making A-B lights
spinner for 1,000 points and the
saucer extra ball light after the first
completion of skate.
Another feature is the center set of
drop-targets. Only the flashing value
can be collected from these, alter-
nating between 10,000 and 20,000
points. The 100,000-point light comes
on after the second set of 20,000 are
completed and can only be collected
by knocking down all 3 drop-targets
with the ball in play.
Along with these, Bally has also
included some new operator features
including new "tuck-away" fold-down
backbox; improved · bookkeeping
functions that calculate replay per-
centages automatically; adjustable
balls from 2, 3, 4, or 5; and adjustable
award combinations for points and
specials. Bally has also included a
new, 4-quarter coin handling that
will award the same bonus pricing as
is given for one Susan B. Anthony
dollar.
Skateball, Bally's newest flipper is
colorful, timely, innovative, and
exciting-as well as profit-promis-
ing.
Pinball
game of pool
Stern Electronics, Inc. will premiere
its latest solid state four-player
pinball game, 9 Ban at the Amuse-
ment and Music Operators Associa-
tion Exposition,. opening October
31 in Chicago.
Designed by Steve Kirk, 9 Ball is
programmed for quick playfield
action and features an innovative
series of new skill shots. Fast game
action is complemented by a playfield
light show and brightly colored
backglass of bold, contemporary
design.
Like pocket billiards, 9 Ball is a
game of skill. Incorporating the
latest pinball technology, the new
game boasts a number of innovative
scoring features, among them:
-Super Bonus: upon completion of
sequence of 9 ball drop-targets,
player is eligible to earn 77,000-
point bonus.
-Eight-bank drop -target wit h re-
mote drop.
-Multiple ball rocket launcher.
Accumulates three balls on t he
playfield and launches simult aneous-
ly.
-Bonus multiplier in crease point
value up to 7X.
-Multiple value bonus spinner .
-Turnaround loop: inter-flipper
loop changes ball direction in a split-
second.
-Seven-digit scor ing displa y; fo ur
players.
Like all new Stern pinball games, 9
Ball show s player t he highest score
to date an d features an advanced
electron ic system designed and man -
ufact ured by
niver a] Research
Laborato r ies , Inc. , a
t ern s ub -
sidi ar y.
Japanese technology hits the ~orld :
&A
IEC.t
PLAY METER, December, 1980
143