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Midnight Magic (Atari 2600)
Encyclopedia
Midnight Magic is a video game released for the Atari 2600
video game console
in 1987, although on-screen it displays a copyright of 1984. The delay is most likely due to the video game crash of 1983
. As Atari's second attempt at a video game simulation of pinball
, Midnight Magic features more realistic ball physics and graphics than the older Video Pinball
. The game was programmed by Glenn Axworthy. In spite of its similar name, the Atari version of Midnight Magic uses a completely different table design than David's Midnight Magic
, a pioneering pinball simulation for early 1980s home computers.
Midnight Magic features actual simulations of a pinball machine ball shooter, flippers, bumpers, and spinners, as well as improved simulation of the ball's actual physics. Midnight Magic was also the first home video game pinball simulation to feature four flippers instead of two (two sets of two).
for performing simulated pinball functions, such as activating the flippers and shooting the ball. Moving the joystick controller down pulls the pinball machine plunger back while pressing the joystick button shoots the ball into the playfield. The left and right flippers are activated by moving the joystick controller left or right. Hitting all five drop targets at the top of the table increases the bonus multiplier (2x, 3x, and so on). Extra balls can be earned when hitting the rollover targets at the top left and right corners of the table when the bonus multiplier is activated.
Atari 2600
The Atari 2600 is a video game console released in October 1977 by Atari, Inc. It is credited with popularizing the use of microprocessor-based hardware and cartridges containing game code, instead of having non-microprocessor dedicated hardware with all games built in...
video game console
Video game console
A video game console is an interactive entertainment computer or customized computer system that produces a video display signal which can be used with a display device to display a video game...
in 1987, although on-screen it displays a copyright of 1984. The delay is most likely due to the video game crash of 1983
Video game crash of 1983
The North American video game crash was a serious event that brought an abrupt end to what is considered the second generation of console video gaming in North America. Beginning in 1983, the crash almost destroyed the then-fledgling industry and led to the bankruptcy of several companies producing...
. As Atari's second attempt at a video game simulation of pinball
Pinball
Pinball is a type of arcade game, usually coin-operated, where a player attempts to score points by manipulating one or more metal balls on a playfield inside a glass-covered case called a pinball machine. The primary objective of the game is to score as many points as possible...
, Midnight Magic features more realistic ball physics and graphics than the older Video Pinball
Video Pinball (Atari 2600)
Video Pinball is a dedicated video game console released in 1978 as another Atari Inc. coin-op to standalone home console translation, by bringing the game Breakout to home players. Bumper controllers on the sides or a dial on the front were used to control the games depending on the game selected...
. The game was programmed by Glenn Axworthy. In spite of its similar name, the Atari version of Midnight Magic uses a completely different table design than David's Midnight Magic
David's Midnight Magic
David's Midnight Magic is an early computer pinball simulation written by David Snider and released by Brøderbund in 1982. .-Summary:...
, a pioneering pinball simulation for early 1980s home computers.
Midnight Magic features actual simulations of a pinball machine ball shooter, flippers, bumpers, and spinners, as well as improved simulation of the ball's actual physics. Midnight Magic was also the first home video game pinball simulation to feature four flippers instead of two (two sets of two).
Gameplay
Midnight Magic utilized the Atari 2600 joystickJoystick
A joystick is an input device consisting of a stick that pivots on a base and reports its angle or direction to the device it is controlling. Joysticks, also known as 'control columns', are the principal control in the cockpit of many civilian and military aircraft, either as a center stick or...
for performing simulated pinball functions, such as activating the flippers and shooting the ball. Moving the joystick controller down pulls the pinball machine plunger back while pressing the joystick button shoots the ball into the playfield. The left and right flippers are activated by moving the joystick controller left or right. Hitting all five drop targets at the top of the table increases the bonus multiplier (2x, 3x, and so on). Extra balls can be earned when hitting the rollover targets at the top left and right corners of the table when the bonus multiplier is activated.
External links
- Midnight Magic at AtariAgeAtariAgeAtari Age was a magazine distributed to Atari Club members from 1982 until 1984. It was published by The Atari Club Inc., a subsidiary of Atari, Inc.-History:...