Intellivision pinball

[Elviticus]

Just been playing my Intellivision a whole lot lately, and just want to say what an amazing game Pinball is!! I think it's my favorite video pinball game period- and that's saying a lot.... 3 tables, nudging, "realistic" physics (well, more or less!), great graphics.... I can't stop playing it. Looked up the history on it, and was interested to find it was in development the longest of any Intellivision title, wish there was more info about it. Has there been a Top Ten video pinball games that I missed? If not, here's my vote for #1.

On a side note, drug out the old Intellivision plug and play (25 game model) that I got ages ago and never really played... WOW- this thing is HORRIBLE... and not just the bad sound effects, none of the games play right at all and are just way off in every way. I know about the whole NES on a chip deal, but this makes the Jakks Atari 2600 ones look like perfect emulation. Listened to the Keith Robinson interview again, and he said the newer one with 10 games is better.... Might check that out since it;s only $10.

Anyway, long time listener, decided to finally get into the forums. I don't know about you guys, but I don't know many people who care to talk about these old games like I do!

[SubaruBrat]

Keith is a hell of a guy and honest to a point, he told us point blank that the plug and play was never about perfect emulation but more about introducing the young to the general idea of the INTV. In my opinion the DS version is one of the best, and of course there is no substitute for the original. If you want answers face to face I suggest you hit CGE and just ask Keith himself, you will be amazed at his decency.

[BydoEmpire73]

Welcome to the forums!

I love the Inty, but pinball is one cart I've never played. I'll definitely pick it up if I see a copy floating around.

[Nurmix]

Anyway, long time listener, decided to finally get into the forums. I don't know about you guys, but I don't know many people who care to talk about these old games like I do!

Hi Elviticus. Welcome to the forums.

I'm a big Intellivision fan. However, it's been a while since I played Pinball on it, but I do remember liking the game the last time I played. I'll have to fire it up and give it a go again.

I have played Thunderball on the Odyssey2 more recently, and while it's no where near as advanced, it's still enjoyable enough to keep you playing for a while.

For those who haven't seen or played Intellivision pinball, check it out:

[Elviticus]

Thanks for the "welcomes"! Thunderball.... I forgot there was a pinball on the O2.. I've got a multi-cart though, so I'll check it out- thanks! By the way, not trying to bag on Keith at all... I met him a couple years back at CGE, and I have the (excellent) DS version, as well as PS1, 2, etc.... Mostly I love what they put out, I just thought that first plug and play was a little weak. Really wish I could make it to CGE this year, but can't swing it...

Scott, I'd love to hear you review Intellivision Pinball sometime, if you get a chance.... With all your tech knowledge of real pinballs, and love of the game, I'd be interested to hear your take. One thing I find so addictive, is that it seems like all of the tables could have been pulled off on a real machine(?), and I get much the same feeling as when playing real pinball. Plus, it's obvious what result you get from hitting various targets etc, which makes it easy to pick up on.

[retroshaun]

Yeah I love Thunderball and I don't think I ever played Intellivision pinball. Now I need to go dig out a copy, it looks great! Cheers for the vid Nurmix. Thanks for the heads up Elviticus

[Nurmix]

...I just thought that first plug and play was a little weak.

I think calling it "a little weak" is giving it far too much credit! I picked that first one up when it came out at a CGE (must have been 2003). I thought it was simply awful. It went straight back into the box, where it remains to this day. But I hold onto it since Keith autographed it at the show.

Nothing compares to a real Intellivision (to paraphrase one of Mattel's early Intellivision ad slogans). I have several. And with a loaded Cuttle Cart inserted, it doesn't get any better!

[Burgertime]

Keith is a hell of a guy and honest to a point, he told us point blank that the plug and play was never about perfect emulation but more about introducing the young to the general idea of the INTV. In my opinion the DS version is one of the best, and of course there is no substitute for the original. If you want answers face to face I suggest you hit CGE and just ask Keith himself, you will be amazed at his decency.

In all the amazing glory the DS version is, there is one small flaw in it. The bottom part of the screen in Minotaur (Treasure of Tarmin) is cut off. Now having played this game for years, and having it as one of my favorite Intellivision titles, I could easily overlook it and work around it. I saw some people on other boards that had less than stellar comments about it, and it made me sad.

I prize my signed Intellivision Lives DS game.