Play Meter

Critic's Corner
By Roger C. Sharpe
seems like old times
tions in terms of setting up particular
standards and guidelines for
locations to follow if they have more
than some minimum number of
games. The idea of arcades and -
game rooms continually being
thought of as hang-outs whether
they're in malls or on some street
corner, has always plagued the
business and will continue to do so
unless there are some steps taken to
remedy the situation. I know that it's
difficult to police inside one's game
room as well as outside, but there
mus~ be a simple solution to stem
much of the fear that is felt. I know of
many people who won't even go into
some locations because of what they
have to go through just to get inside.
It's something to think about,
especially if you're one of those
absentee owners who can't
understand why business might be
off.
Knowing the nature of the
business, nothing will probably
happen to get the industry's act
together. It's a shame because one
senses the growing need for some
overall governing agency that would
set up specific parameters for
different types of locations, by which
everyone could co-exist. There will
possibly be a backlash of publicy
and location closings, at least in New
York because of the bombing
incident and maybe other areas
around the country will also suffer
the same fate , but for the most part
business will go on as usual until
some other controversy stands in
the path of profits.
But that's the way of the world and
I've been around too long now
tci expect anything different than
what has been done in the past. And
so it's time to move on to the game
PLAY METER, June 1, 1981
at hand.
Bally's Eight Ball Deluxe
A surprisingly appeaiing game, one
hopes that this follow-up to Flash
Gordon won't be considered an
interim machine that will quickly be
forgotten since it does have some
nice touches and a theme that has
always been. successful for pinball.
PLA YFIELD: The game starts with
two lanes at top (A-B) and leads
down to a three-thumper-bumper
area. Just to the left of this is an in-
line target set-up for bonus multiplier
and possible special, while the right
side has a single standing drop target
(8) and a kick-out hole for collecting
point values and returning the ball
back to the top. Back over on the left
is a passage, complete with rollover,
for getting back to the top as well as
building up points values getting
extra ball and e~en special when lit.
Just below this is a single flipper
while on the right side is a seven-
drop-target bank that also features
targets behirtd targets. The bottom is
a conventional set up of lanes (C-D)
leading down to trye flippers.
ANALYSIS: On the surface Eight
Ball Deluxe doesn't look like a
remarkable game, nor does it appear
to have much of what its noteable
namesake had, but put a coin in, play
a few balls, and the feeling changes
dramatically because the game is a
good one, although maybe it's just a
breath of fresh air from all the other
loaded games that haven't managed
to combine so much strategy and
skill shots. Even the open middle and
some of the drains aren't so bad
considering the layout of the board
and the flow of the game. It's all very
simple: just knock down the drop
Bally's EIGHT BALL DELUXE
61