Video Pinball (ビデオピンボール)

Authetic video simulation of a pinball game with a unique display arrangement.

Atari used a unique arrangement to supplement the B&W video monitor. The monitor is mounted below the control panel and covered by a reflective piece of smoked plexiglass. A drawing of a detailed, colorful pinball playfield, complete with LEDs, is positioned out of sight near the top of the cabinet. A blacklight-illuminated reflection of this playfield is cast down on the plexiglas below, superimposing the B&W graphics displayed on the monitor. The monitor displays the animated flippers, the ball, and some bumpers and things, with the stationary stuff reflected. Clever, and it works quite well.

Note that there are only two traditional buttons, one on each side used, and they're used to control the flippers just as on a real pinball game. However, you can push down on the control panel itself for a "nudge" effect which can influence the path of the ball during play. The whole control panel pivots slightly up and down. Thus, three buttons.

Interesting for historical reasons, and also a lot of fun to play.