Quoted from jsa:I'm always impressed with everyone's different ways of achieving high scores on this game.
Here's a question: Say you have a novice player that you want to give advice to..the goal being that if they score really well, they will be more likely to play again. What would you tell them to do? Remember, complex stacking makes novice players run screaming.
I view the game as having 2 routes - the major villain route and the minor villain route. Focusing on the major villains is easier, simpler, more obvious and more intuitive. Hence, I suggest this strategy to novice/new players. Basically, I tell them that they're Batman and Robin. Each major villain has a section on the playfield. Hit this section enough times (usually twice) to enable that villain. Commissioner Gordon will call the Batphone. Answer the Batphone to reveal the Batcave. Hit the lit shots to defeat the villain. Defeat all 4 major villains to reach the wizard mode.
If you want to blow up the machine, the minor villain route is the way to go. It is, however, more dangerous (TV targets will make the ball wild), difficult (minor villains are timed and need to be restarted if you fail) and complicated (benefits of each villain and the strategy to defeat one villain in each season needs to be explained). Not a great strategy for noobs. The minor villain awards and access to the 3 awesome wizard modes is the reward for taking this riskier route.
I think Lyman's done a fantastic job on balancing risk and reward.