• What Was This Game

    From Bob Purse@bobpurse@gmail.com to rec.games.pinball on Sunday, April 05, 2020 15:25:08
    From Newsgroup: rec.games.pinball

    Hi,
    I am new here, and am really just looking for an answer to a question, although I know it's vague.
    In the late '70's and/or early '80's, I was an absolutely master of one - and only one - pinball game. I could easily with 3-4 free games by playing once, based on both scores and skills at triggering other free game awarding sections of the game.
    All I can tell you is that it had the sort of typical curved section in the mid-upper left hand side which led the ball back up to the top, but along side this side curve, were hard plastic things about the size of dominoes - four of them, and the more you hit the ball through that section, the more they would flap over, with a loud, domino-hitting-a-table Thwwapp sound.
    You would get these to flap over in sequence somehow (Don't remember how) and if you did it enough, you won a free game.
    I have looked at videos of games from that era, and cannot find this game. This has literally been bugging me (when I think about, which is not that often) for 30 years. And it popped into my head today.
    Any guesses?
    Thanks in advance,
    Bob
    --- Synchronet 3.17c-Win32 NewsLink 1.112
  • From Wilko@Wilko@dodo.com.au to rec.games.pinball on Sunday, April 05, 2020 16:36:50
    From Newsgroup: rec.games.pinball

    On Monday, April 6, 2020 at 6:25:15 AM UTC+8, Bob Purse wrote:
    Hi,

    I am new here, and am really just looking for an answer to a question, although I know it's vague.

    In the late '70's and/or early '80's, I was an absolutely master of one - and only one - pinball game. I could easily with 3-4 free games by playing once, based on both scores and skills at triggering other free game awarding sections of the game.

    All I can tell you is that it had the sort of typical curved section in the mid-upper left hand side which led the ball back up to the top, but along side this side curve, were hard plastic things about the size of dominoes - four of them, and the more you hit the ball through that section, the more they would flap over, with a loud, domino-hitting-a-table Thwwapp sound.

    You would get these to flap over in sequence somehow (Don't remember how) and if you did it enough, you won a free game.

    I have looked at videos of games from that era, and cannot find this game. This has literally been bugging me (when I think about, which is not that often) for 30 years. And it popped into my head today.

    Any guesses?

    Thanks in advance,

    Bob
    Wizard! ?
    --- Synchronet 3.17c-Win32 NewsLink 1.112
  • From John Dayhuff@pinhead67@sbcglobal.net to rec.games.pinball on Sunday, April 05, 2020 16:39:15
    From Newsgroup: rec.games.pinball

    Was thinking the same mech but only on Flip Flop with it's western theme.

    John
    --- Synchronet 3.17c-Win32 NewsLink 1.112
  • From Lee@leewilk@verizon.net to rec.games.pinball on Monday, April 06, 2020 04:13:07
    From Newsgroup: rec.games.pinball

    On Sunday, April 5, 2020 at 7:39:21 PM UTC-4, John Dayhuff wrote:
    Was thinking the same mech but only on Flip Flop with it's western theme.

    John


    The same games came to my mind that the first 2 posters already listed.

    Sounds like you were describing a Bally feature called flip flags.
    Do you think you could positively ID the machine if you saw photos of the playfields?

    Check out:

    https://www.ipdb.org/machine.cgi?id=2803
    or https://www.ipdb.org/search.pl?any=flip+flop&search=Search+Database&searchtype=quick#889

    Lee
    --- Synchronet 3.17c-Win32 NewsLink 1.112
  • From paulace45@paulace45@gmail.com to rec.games.pinball on Monday, April 06, 2020 11:49:54
    From Newsgroup: rec.games.pinball

    Was it 1976 Bally Flip Flop?
    On Sunday, April 5, 2020 at 6:25:15 PM UTC-4, Bob Purse wrote:
    Hi,

    I am new here, and am really just looking for an answer to a question, although I know it's vague.

    In the late '70's and/or early '80's, I was an absolutely master of one - and only one - pinball game. I could easily with 3-4 free games by playing once, based on both scores and skills at triggering other free game awarding sections of the game.

    All I can tell you is that it had the sort of typical curved section in the mid-upper left hand side which led the ball back up to the top, but along side this side curve, were hard plastic things about the size of dominoes - four of them, and the more you hit the ball through that section, the more they would flap over, with a loud, domino-hitting-a-table Thwwapp sound.

    You would get these to flap over in sequence somehow (Don't remember how) and if you did it enough, you won a free game.

    I have looked at videos of games from that era, and cannot find this game. This has literally been bugging me (when I think about, which is not that often) for 30 years. And it popped into my head today.

    Any guesses?

    Thanks in advance,

    Bob
    --- Synchronet 3.17c-Win32 NewsLink 1.112
  • From pinballtom@pinballtom@gmail.com to rec.games.pinball on Wednesday, April 08, 2020 17:45:52
    From Newsgroup: rec.games.pinball

    It could possibly be the rare game by Bally (~100 made)
    called SLap Stick with same flip flags.


    On Monday, April 6, 2020 at 4:13:13 AM UTC-7, Lee wrote:
    On Sunday, April 5, 2020 at 7:39:21 PM UTC-4, John Dayhuff wrote:
    Was thinking the same mech but only on Flip Flop with it's western theme.

    John


    The same games came to my mind that the first 2 posters already listed.

    Sounds like you were describing a Bally feature called flip flags.
    Do you think you could positively ID the machine if you saw photos of the playfields?

    Check out:

    https://www.ipdb.org/machine.cgi?id=2803
    or https://www.ipdb.org/search.pl?any=flip+flop&search=Search+Database&searchtype=quick#889

    Lee

    --- Synchronet 3.17c-Win32 NewsLink 1.112
  • From Lee@leewilk@verizon.net to rec.games.pinball on Thursday, April 09, 2020 07:06:05
    From Newsgroup: rec.games.pinball

    On Wednesday, April 8, 2020 at 8:46:00 PM UTC-4, pinballtom wrote:
    It could possibly be the rare game by Bally (~100 made)
    called SLap Stick with same flip flags.


    On Monday, April 6, 2020 at 4:13:13 AM UTC-7, Lee wrote:
    On Sunday, April 5, 2020 at 7:39:21 PM UTC-4, John Dayhuff wrote:
    Was thinking the same mech but only on Flip Flop with it's western theme.

    John


    The same games came to my mind that the first 2 posters already listed.

    Sounds like you were describing a Bally feature called flip flags.
    Do you think you could positively ID the machine if you saw photos of the playfields?

    Check out:

    https://www.ipdb.org/machine.cgi?id=2803
    or https://www.ipdb.org/search.pl?any=flip+flop&search=Search+Database&searchtype=quick#889

    Lee

    The OP mentioned a curved channel on the left side that went from mid to upper playfield.

    Betting odds are heavily in favor of Wizard, but anyone's memory can do strange things.
    --- Synchronet 3.17c-Win32 NewsLink 1.112
  • From Bob Purse@bobpurse@gmail.com to rec.games.pinball on Sunday, April 19, 2020 15:03:36
    From Newsgroup: rec.games.pinball

    On Monday, April 6, 2020 at 6:13:13 AM UTC-5, Lee wrote:
    On Sunday, April 5, 2020 at 7:39:21 PM UTC-4, John Dayhuff wrote:
    Was thinking the same mech but only on Flip Flop with it's western theme.

    John


    The same games came to my mind that the first 2 posters already listed.

    Sounds like you were describing a Bally feature called flip flags.
    Do you think you could positively ID the machine if you saw photos of the playfields?

    Check out:

    https://www.ipdb.org/machine.cgi?id=2803
    or https://www.ipdb.org/search.pl?any=flip+flop&search=Search+Database&searchtype=quick#889

    Lee

    Thanks to everyone who chimed in. And now I feel like an idiot!

    Because in my memory, from the start, I remembered that it was called "Wizard". However, just as strong in my memory was that the four "Flip flags" as you called them, were right next to that left hand ramp.

    So I looked at Wizard, didn't see them on the upper left (didn't look elsewhere) and started looking at different games.

    But obviously, with your help, I see that it was obviously Wizard. Duh.

    Thanks!

    A separate question, one that is not relevant in today's social distance world, but may be again, soon: is there a site that lists arcades where different machines can be found, so that I can one day perhaps try my hand at this game again?

    Thanks again - boy can I be dumb.....
    --- Synchronet 3.17c-Win32 NewsLink 1.112
  • From Dan Beck@djbgasman@gmail.com to rec.games.pinball on Monday, April 20, 2020 08:10:46
    From Newsgroup: rec.games.pinball

    My guess is your best bet would be the Pinball Hall of Fame in Las Vegas. Do not know though how accessible that location is for you...

    Dan
    --- Synchronet 3.17c-Win32 NewsLink 1.112
  • From John Robertson@spam@flippers.com to rec.games.pinball on Monday, April 20, 2020 08:30:14
    From Newsgroup: rec.games.pinball

    On 2020/04/19 3:03 p.m., Bob Purse wrote:
    On Monday, April 6, 2020 at 6:13:13 AM UTC-5, Lee wrote:
    On Sunday, April 5, 2020 at 7:39:21 PM UTC-4, John Dayhuff wrote:
    Was thinking the same mech but only on Flip Flop with it's western theme. >>>
    John


    The same games came to my mind that the first 2 posters already listed.

    Sounds like you were describing a Bally feature called flip flags.
    Do you think you could positively ID the machine if you saw photos of the playfields?

    Check out:

    https://www.ipdb.org/machine.cgi?id=2803
    or
    https://www.ipdb.org/search.pl?any=flip+flop&search=Search+Database&searchtype=quick#889

    Lee

    Thanks to everyone who chimed in. And now I feel like an idiot!

    Because in my memory, from the start, I remembered that it was called "Wizard". However, just as strong in my memory was that the four "Flip flags" as you called them, were right next to that left hand ramp.

    So I looked at Wizard, didn't see them on the upper left (didn't look elsewhere) and started looking at different games.

    But obviously, with your help, I see that it was obviously Wizard. Duh.

    Thanks!

    A separate question, one that is not relevant in today's social distance world, but may be again, soon: is there a site that lists arcades where different machines can be found, so that I can one day perhaps try my hand at this game again?

    Thanks again - boy can I be dumb.....


    There is http://www.pinballmap.com which shows all the commercial
    locations. Now closed of course until this Covid-19 mess is resolved!

    Join your local pinball club - there are many scattered around the
    world! Ask your pinball parts supplier if they know any collectors in
    your area. Craig's List ads area clue too...

    I am pretty sure that most private owners won't be listing their names
    and addresses and games unless they like having games stolen when they
    are out...

    Stay safe!

    John ;-#)#

    --
    (Please post followups or tech inquiries to the USENET newsgroup)
    John's Jukes Ltd.
    MOVED to #7 - 3979 Marine Way, Burnaby, BC, Canada V5J 5E3
    (604)872-5757 (Pinballs, Jukes, Video Games)
    www.flippers.com
    "Old pinballers never die, they just flip out."
    --- Synchronet 3.17c-Win32 NewsLink 1.112
  • From Bob Purse@bobpurse@gmail.com to rec.games.pinball on Monday, May 18, 2020 07:23:56
    From Newsgroup: rec.games.pinball

    Thanks - I'm near Chicago. Looks like there's a decrepit one in Milwaukee but nothing else anywhere nearby.

    I appreciate the help!

    bob

    On Monday, April 20, 2020 at 10:30:25 AM UTC-5, John Robertson wrote:
    On 2020/04/19 3:03 p.m., Bob Purse wrote:
    On Monday, April 6, 2020 at 6:13:13 AM UTC-5, Lee wrote:
    On Sunday, April 5, 2020 at 7:39:21 PM UTC-4, John Dayhuff wrote:
    Was thinking the same mech but only on Flip Flop with it's western theme. >>>
    John


    The same games came to my mind that the first 2 posters already listed.

    Sounds like you were describing a Bally feature called flip flags.
    Do you think you could positively ID the machine if you saw photos of the playfields?

    Check out:

    https://www.ipdb.org/machine.cgi?id=2803
    or
    https://www.ipdb.org/search.pl?any=flip+flop&search=Search+Database&searchtype=quick#889

    Lee

    Thanks to everyone who chimed in. And now I feel like an idiot!

    Because in my memory, from the start, I remembered that it was called "Wizard". However, just as strong in my memory was that the four "Flip flags" as you called them, were right next to that left hand ramp.

    So I looked at Wizard, didn't see them on the upper left (didn't look elsewhere) and started looking at different games.

    But obviously, with your help, I see that it was obviously Wizard. Duh.

    Thanks!

    A separate question, one that is not relevant in today's social distance world, but may be again, soon: is there a site that lists arcades where different machines can be found, so that I can one day perhaps try my hand at this game again?

    Thanks again - boy can I be dumb.....


    There is http://www.pinballmap.com which shows all the commercial
    locations. Now closed of course until this Covid-19 mess is resolved!

    Join your local pinball club - there are many scattered around the
    world! Ask your pinball parts supplier if they know any collectors in
    your area. Craig's List ads area clue too...

    I am pretty sure that most private owners won't be listing their names
    and addresses and games unless they like having games stolen when they
    are out...

    Stay safe!

    John ;-#)#

    --
    (Please post followups or tech inquiries to the USENET newsgroup)
    John's Jukes Ltd.
    MOVED to #7 - 3979 Marine Way, Burnaby, BC, Canada V5J 5E3
    (604)872-5757 (Pinballs, Jukes, Video Games)
    www.flippers.com
    "Old pinballers never die, they just flip out."

    --- Synchronet 3.17c-Win32 NewsLink 1.112