Surprised

"Huh? Wheel of Fortune? You must be joking" was my first reaction after finding out about Stern's latest license. Followed by a quick glance at the calendar to make sure that April Fools hadn't miraculously arrived overnight. Nope, no joking, after Spiderman it's time for a somewhat less energetic theme where it's mind over muscle (although operating that big wheel does require some effort).

The Dutch Wheel

Now let me first remind you that I'm from Holland and although we've had our fair share of this game on TV (here it was called "Rad van Fortuin"), the programme has been written off years ago. But yes, I still remember it clearly: our own Dutch host Hans van der Togt, and the beautiful Leontien as the puzzle board operator. It was quite a popular show airing primetime 20:00h in Holland

Why this theme?

Wikipedia to the rescue. The explanation as for why they must have chosen this particular theme:

The show debuted as a daytime program on NBC on January 6, 1975; the daytime version left the air in 1991. The nighttime version, which is syndicated by CBS Television Distribution (previously King World) and Sony Pictures Television, began on September 19, 1983. This version's 25th season began on September 10, 2007.

Since 1984, Wheel of Fortune has had the highest Nielsen Rating of any syndicated program. It is the longest-running syndicated game show in American television history, and the second-longest in either network or syndication. Wheel of Fortune has been renewed through the 2011-2012 season. In 2006, the show began broadcasting in High Definition.

Wow, it's 25th season. That's three, maybe four generations of American kids growing up with this show on TV every night. A strong license to pick after all, I guess.

The game

Not too much is know of the game right now. Some preliminary photos show a strange dot matrix display, split into two parts. The smaller leftside projecting scores while the larger right side displays the puzzle animations. And there's something unusual about the flippers too. Pinballnews describes it best:

Wheel of Fortune departs from the traditional arrangement by including two rollover lane between the flippers like those found in games such as Wayne Nyens's Cow Poke and Buckaroo. This provides a centre post for straight-down-the-middle balls and gives the chance of a Super Spin if the balls rolls over a lit lane. The two outlanes are divided in two as they head towards the outhole, providing the opportunity for a free spin.

Okay, I'll admit it, after my initial reactions those preliminary pics and the progressive new design have made me curious, to say the least.

Thanks to Classic Pinball Corporation for the photos!

- To be continued -