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Video Pinball (Atari 2600)
Encyclopedia
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. There were three game types: Pinball, Basketball, and Breakout.
The console is based on the single chip 011500-11/C011512-05 produced by Atari ("Pong-on-a-chip").
version was also produced for Sears by Sears whose name was changed to Sears' Tele-Games label, under the name Pinball Breakaway.
s and fully decorated with a city nightline, neon stars and disco dancers. The control panel consists of a start button, a plunger to "launch" the ball, and flippers on the left and right sides. The control panel also has a spring that allows the player to push down on it for a nudge effect.
video game console in 1980, it featured actual simulations of a pinball machine ball shooter, flippers, bumpers and spinners. The game also implemented a simulation of a real ball's actual physics. The game also features a unique rollover bonus with an Atari Inc. logo on the playfield; hitting the logo four times results in an extra ball. It was programmed by Bob Smith.
Most of the game play involves learning how to perform specific functions, such as launching the ball or activating the flippers, with the Atari 2600 joystick
. 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. The ball can be nudged (as in nudging a table gently in real life) by holding down the joystick button and moving the controller in a particular direction.
The Atari 2600
version of Video Pinball was made available on Microsoft's
Game Room
service for its Xbox 360
console and for Windows-based
PC
s in June 2010.
Dedicated console
A dedicated console is a video game console that is dedicated to a built in game or games, and is not equipped for additional games, via cartridges or other media.- History :...
released in 1978
1978 in video gaming
-Notable releases:* June - Taito Corporation releases the Space Invaders arcade game in Japan.* October - Namco releases their first arcade game, Gee Bee, in Japan.* Cinematronics releases the Space Wars vector graphics arcade game....
as another Atari Inc. coin-op
Arcade game
An arcade game is a coin-operated entertainment machine, usually installed in public businesses such as restaurants, bars, and amusement arcades. Most arcade games are video games, pinball machines, electro-mechanical games, redemption games, and merchandisers...
to standalone home console translation, by bringing the game Breakout
Breakout (video game)
Breakout is an arcade game developed by Atari, Inc and introduced on May 13, 1976. It was conceptualized by Nolan Bushnell and Steve Bristow, and influenced by the 1972 arcade game Pong, also by Atari. The game was ported to video game consoles and upgraded to video games such as Super Breakout...
to home players. Bumper controllers
Game controller
A game controller is a device used with games or entertainment systems used to control a playable character or object, or otherwise provide input in a computer game. A controller is typically connected to a game console or computer by means of a wire, cord or nowadays, by means of wireless connection...
on the sides or a dial
Paddle (game controller)
A paddle is a game controller with a round wheel and one or more fire buttons, where the wheel is typically used to control movement of the player object along one axis of the video screen...
on the front were used to control the games depending on the game selected. There were three game types: Pinball, Basketball, and Breakout.
The console is based on the single chip 011500-11/C011512-05 produced by Atari ("Pong-on-a-chip").
Gameplay
Video Pinball allows 7 games (4 pinball variations, 1 basketball, 2 breakout variations), and uses a micro-controller and a small amount of RAM rather than the "Pong on a chip" IC's used in the slew of pong machines Atari Inc. had been releasing. Pinball was played with the side bumpers, and Breakout and Basketball with the dial.Versions
There were three different versions of Video Pinball over its lifetime. Atari released both woodgrain and cream colored versions under Atari Video Pinball. An OEMOriginal Equipment Manufacturer
An original equipment manufacturer, or OEM, manufactures products or components that are purchased by a company and retailed under that purchasing company's brand name. OEM refers to the company that originally manufactured the product. When referring to automotive parts, OEM designates a...
version was also produced for Sears by Sears whose name was changed to Sears' Tele-Games label, under the name Pinball Breakaway.
Atari Video Pinball Coin-Op
Released in 1978, Mounted inside the cabinet is a 3-D playfield with bumpers, LEDLight-emitting diode
A light-emitting diode is a semiconductor light source. LEDs are used as indicator lamps in many devices and are increasingly used for other lighting...
s and fully decorated with a city nightline, neon stars and disco dancers. The control panel consists of a start button, a plunger to "launch" the ball, and flippers on the left and right sides. The control panel also has a spring that allows the player to push down on it for a nudge effect.
Atari 2600
Released for the Atari 2600Atari 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 in 1980, it featured actual simulations of a pinball machine ball shooter, flippers, bumpers and spinners. The game also implemented a simulation of a real ball's actual physics. The game also features a unique rollover bonus with an Atari Inc. logo on the playfield; hitting the logo four times results in an extra ball. It was programmed by Bob Smith.
Most of the game play involves learning how to perform specific functions, such as launching the ball or activating the flippers, with the Atari 2600 joystick
Joystick
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...
. 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. The ball can be nudged (as in nudging a table gently in real life) by holding down the joystick button and moving the controller in a particular direction.
The Atari 2600
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...
version of Video Pinball was made available on Microsoft's
Microsoft
Microsoft Corporation is an American public multinational corporation headquartered in Redmond, Washington, USA that develops, manufactures, licenses, and supports a wide range of products and services predominantly related to computing through its various product divisions...
Game Room
Game Room
Game Room is a gaming service for the Xbox 360 video game system, Microsoft Windows PCs, and Windows Phone 7. Launched on March 24, 2010, Game Room lets players download classic video games and compete against each other for high scores...
service for its Xbox 360
Xbox 360
The Xbox 360 is the second video game console produced by Microsoft and the successor to the Xbox. The Xbox 360 competes with Sony's PlayStation 3 and Nintendo's Wii as part of the seventh generation of video game consoles...
console and for Windows-based
Microsoft Windows
Microsoft Windows is a series of operating systems produced by Microsoft.Microsoft introduced an operating environment named Windows on November 20, 1985 as an add-on to MS-DOS in response to the growing interest in graphical user interfaces . Microsoft Windows came to dominate the world's personal...
PC
Personal computer
A personal computer is any general-purpose computer whose size, capabilities, and original sales price make it useful for individuals, and which is intended to be operated directly by an end-user with no intervening computer operator...
s in June 2010.