Update: September 28, 2005
Pinball is a vertical aspect simulation. Pinball games simulated on computers and consoles have always been played on horizontal aspect televisions which are wider than they are tall. This made the pinball tables squat or in the case of scrolling screen tables, the entire length of the table would never been seen and only the active portion would be visible at any one point. Shooters have enjoyed vertical aspect accommodations where monitors are rotated 90 degrees clockwise for a lengthy screen. With the 16:9 aspect ratio of the PSP screen, it's a snap to rotate it 90 degrees for vertical length games which cover shooters and pinball games. The PSP also weighs under a half kilo which makes it easier to rotate than a WEGA. Once vertical, the face buttons are used to move the flippers which slap the pinball at various targets such as spinners, slides, holes, and other staples from the world of pinball. Two tables are available in Pinball - Forest of the Fortune Teller and The Morphing Avenger. In the Forest, there's occult symbolism in play with tarot cards from the Major Arcana, mystical artwork, and the Fortune Teller's house is located at the top of the screen. The Avenger board is modeled after a Las Vegas theme with glittering buildings, a silhouetted showgirl, and artwork which depicts a white-suited playboy directly in front of the flippers. The "Morphing Avenger" refers to the playboy who changes into various creatures as certain conditions are met in the pinball shooting action. In addition to solo pinball action, a 2-player mode is playable where participants compete for the slapping of the pinball. In the Fortune Teller table, once your game is finished, three tarot cards are presented which apparently foretell your future and also present the condition of your past and present. There's also a track which leads from the fortune teller's squat building upon which the pinball will follow so that it falls on the letters M - A - G - I - C to light them up. Default Controls
X - Left Flipper
TRIANGLE - Right Flipper
SQUARE - Nudge
R-TRIGGER - Shoot ball with the plunger Game Modes
Arcade - Play pinball on two possible tables
Attack - Multiple pinballs are in play for racking up points within a time limit
Sharing VS - Link up with another player for pinball competitions
High Score - View the top ranking players' initials and their scores
Options - Set button configs, Toggle sound, Auto Save toggle, Password NCS Game Notes
* The D-pad may be used to move the left and right flippers so that your thumbs are above the screen and pinball action. It's unconventional but workable. * Nudge too much and the machine will TILT which causes the loss of all control and the eventual dumping of the pinball into oblivion. View the back cover and screenshots.
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