Quoted from jonny_eh

What's with the cabinet art? Was it originally that generic?

Yes it was dark days for Bally, just before selling out to Williams. Several interesting machines used the generic cabinet including Party Animal and Hardbody. These cabinets were cheaply constructed with particle board and t-molding instead of plywood (pray it never gets wet...).

Quoted from jonny_eh

What's with the cabinet art? Was it originally that generic? Or is it some kind of generic decal replacement?

The game looks WICKED though, I'm super jealous. I'm a science nerd, so I'd totally go for that. I'll add it to my 'list'.

Once Midway purchased Bally in late 1983, one of the first things they did was implement many cost-cutting measures. Using MDF on their cabs was one... some generic art was another, and so was not using any art at all in front of the machine around the coindoor.

The generic Bally/Midway cabinet art was introduced with Beat The Clock in late 1985 but was phased out gradually on Heavy Metal Meltdown (which explains why a few HMM have dedicated art, and most don't) due to huge complaints from distributors and operators of their lack of ''curb-appeal''(structural integrity issues came up MUCH later...), thus not attracting many players to the machines. It was a very lousy move of Bally to do that, considering that one of the golden rules of advertising is that your product sale depends initially on visual appeal. It really is the first impression...

Quoted from tinyrodent

Yes it was dark days for Bally, just before selling out to Williams. Several interesting machines used the generic cabinet including Party Animal and Hardbody. These cabinets were cheaply constructed with particle board and t-molding instead of plywood (pray it never gets wet...).

Dark indeed. I love the one light bulb in the back to light the glass. I can only think of one other manufacturer that.... I digress.

I think production numbers say it all. I believe without my book to reference, this game was only a run of around 2000 machines.

Quoted from necro_nemesis

I can only think of one other manufacturer that.... I digress.

    , You never miss an opportunity.


2350 units were produced according to IPDB.

At least that "other manufacturer" uses fluorescent... a lot less likely to damage the translite. Presumably you'll put a CF in this one?

It's a shame that animated backboxes went out of style. Even simple CPU controlled lights and flashers up there can add quite a bit to a game (eg. Sorcerer). I was really impressed with the Scared Stiff backbox: multi-layered, mechanically animated, cool lighting and artwork. Was there ever a better one?

Quoted from tinyrodent

At least that "other manufacturer" uses fluorescent... a lot less likely to damage the translite. Presumably you'll put a CF in this one?

Absolutely. Fortunately it doesn't appear the incandecent one did any damage. It's a pretty small bulb and sits a fair ways back from the glass.

Watch the backglass with someone else playing ToM. With the GI string being CPU dimmed it is probably one of the best arguments to abandon the single lamp.

Quoted from necro_nemesis

Absolutely. Fortunately it doesn't appear the incandecent one did any damage. It's a pretty small bulb and sits a fair ways back from the glass.

Watch the backglass with someone else playing ToM. With the GI string being CPU dimmed it is probably one of the best arguments to abandon the single lamp.

I just change them to spiral flourescents... not much heat off of those. Less power = more eco-pin!!!

I had that game once, all be it a pretty rtough one, The Backglass and the Neon are Awesome, the rest... Well, it's Not here anymore. I have never seen a game with Less Flow than Strange Science. I think I have some Flipper Coils here if you need them, let me know.

Dave

i was really thinking of getting that machine, because it looks so cool and has a neat theme,
but unfortunatly i'm full up at the inn right now, and no more room for pins

Eric

I shot a short clip, just for those of you that have never seen or heard one in action.

It has a lot of sound effects which sound like Forbidden Planet type serious Sci Fi stuff but then once and awhile there are these.... singing monkey?? type sounds thrown in that just make you laugh.

To be honest I have played a few Sys 11 games that don't have as involved rules as this does. I agree it is a stop and go game, but for some reason it seems to work for me because your really trying to make specific shots.

Oh yes, I stand corrected. The BB actually has four bulbs in it vice one. 3 flashers, the main bulb and the Jacob's ladder neon. If you watch the video, the way they sequence them is actually a pretty decent effect.

Wow! Didn't know this pin before, it's fun when people talk about new pin

Great pin!!!! I saw this pin in Gerry game room and it was very fun!!!