Congo
Williams, 1995Recently picked up a high-end Congo restoration. Really love the cabinet and PF artwork, but really don't like the translite. Contacted John Hanson (fellow pinhead/artists) and planted a few ideas and he came up with the following. Amy the ape looks awesome, not goofy! Hope it strikes a chord with Congo owners! He will have them up on eBay for sale fairly soon.
Top one, I like a lot.
2nd one....funny, but not something I'd put on my game.
....if I owned a Congo, that is.
Pete
The top translight is really nice. I would just change the font, maybe to letters that look as if they are crumbling to tie into the ruins of the civilization. The ones pictured give a modern look. The last translite is not my style.
Quoted from bjoechamp:Center the letters over the top, or start from top to bottom its easier on the eye.
Now that I look at it again those are good suggestions.
The top translight is really nice. I would just change the font, maybe to letters that look as if they are crumbling to tie into the ruins of the civilization. The ones pictured give a modern look. The last translite is not my style.
Just saw these on ebay. Alternate translites are not my thing, but for those interested here is the listing. I'd be interested to know if anybody buys that 2nd one....
ebay.com link: CONGO Pinball Machine Alternate Translite 2 Versions
Quoted from bjoechamp:The top translight is really nice. I would just change the font, maybe to letters that look as if they are crumbling to tie into the ruins of the civilization. The ones pictured give a modern look. The last translite is not my style.
Glad you like it. The font and many of the idea's come from this poster:
http://www.dvdsreleasedates.com/poster/551/Congo-movie-poster.html
At this point, I think John considers it "done" (and doesn't plan on making any changes).
The second translite is obviously more of a "goof"...
snaroff
Quoted from snaroff:The font and many of the idea's come from this poster:
Looks like at least a 85% copy and paste job to me but does look nice.
Top one great for the pinball machine.
Bottom great for the player.
Go Bruce Go. Likable guy same smooth but off humor in person.
Quoted from Phetishboy:The first one looks cool, and I'd probably be in for one, but why change the movie logo? Trying to make people forget what actually inspired this awesome pin?
Movie logo wasn't changed. Almost all the images are directly from an official Congo poster...http://www.dvdsreleasedates.com/poster/551/Congo-movie-poster.html
Is the movie as bad as everyone says? Saw it along time ago and liked it until they mowed them all down with assault rifles in the end
I understand it's different from the original translite. If you click on the link I forwarded, you'd see what I'm talking about. The Congo text in this alternate translite are lifted from the official poster from the movie.
Quoted from snaroff:I understand it's different from the original translite. If you click on the link I forwarded, you'd see what I'm talking about. The Congo text in this alternate translite are lifted from the official poster from the movie.
Don't get me wrong, it looks gorgeous (and better). I'm just used to the current logo. I am still trying to come to terms with the rainbow coloring of the original 'Bad Gorilla'.
The translite on Congo is interactive with the lighting behind it. If you changed your translite to the 1st one here for instance, you'd lose out on the pulsing effect of medallion in the bottom middle of the translite, the volcano erupting and more. I wouldn't have paid any amount of money to put that on my Congo, it's not for me.
First one appears to be a good alternative for Congo owners. Thanks for looking into it and posting the info for us.
Quoted from LesManley:The translite on Congo is interactive with the lighting behind it. If you changed your translite to the 1st one here for instance, you'd lose out on the pulsing effect of medallion in the bottom middle of the translite, the volcano erupting and more. I wouldn't have paid any amount of money to put that on my Congo, it's not for me.
We will see. I ordered the top one. It has a medallion also. The flasher can be relocated. The volcano erupting will be harder but to be honest I never see that when playing the game anyway. My volcano mods are so much nicer on the PF.
I like them both, first and second. Obviously I like the second for other reasons that the first. Its a nice theme to do art for with all the animals and jungles so I think most Congo art is cool. The original backglass isnt too bad, probably just the goofy expression on the gorillas face and the bad movie likenesses that dont cut it for some people.
Quoted from Medieval_Gofers:I like them both, first and second. Obviously I like the second for other reasons that the first. Its a nice theme to do art for with all the animals and jungles so I think most Congo art is cool. The original backglass isnt too bad, probably just the goofy expression on the gorillas face and the bad movie likenesses that dont cut it for some people.
Glad you like them! My problem with the original backglass was two-fold:
- Too busy in general. The alternate is more focused on a small handful of cool images.
- The characters look goofy. The alternate de-emphasizes the characters.
The only image I like in the original is the emerald ring/medallion.
I've actually never seen the movie, but like the pinball a lot. Will be interesting to see how it looks on the pinball...should get one in the next week or so. Will post pictures when I do.
Happy to see these strike a chord with many of you!
1st one is better imo, rather see a white/latin chick on the 2nd one. either way, still much better than the original. i like alternative backglasses.
Quoted from Phetishboy:The toys use the same logo as the translight, (as does my DVD):
Promotional artwork for films differs greatly between release date, international region and format. A quick google image search shows that Congo has three different design styles for their material.
I think the layout and the photography used in the reference poster is really strong. But these elements don't suit the landscape translite layout — which is obvious because they were designed for a portrait layout. The font choice for the poster wasn't great and so it's also not good for the translite. It's definitely not heavy enough and because it's a totally different style it doesn't tie into the feel of the game artwork — an important consideration for alternate artwork designs.
Amy's eyes are really powerful using the full width at the top of the reference poster but this element is comparatively weak on the translite. The vine leaves look out of place — stock photography perhaps. The blending on the photo is too harsh and the black background has no texture or interest. The medallion is being covered by the blending of the photo, which looks awkward.
It really does look like what it is: roughly blended elements cut and resized from a poster.
But in these cases perhaps the old adage is true: ignorance is bliss. If you don't see the flaws then you get to enjoy it 
Quoted from accidental:Promotional artwork for films differs greatly between release date, international region and format. A quick google image search shows that Congo has three different design styles for their material.
I think the layout and the photography used in the reference poster is really strong. But these elements don't suit the landscape translite layout — which is obvious because they were designed for a portrait layout. The font choice for the poster wasn't great and so it's also not good for the translite. It's definitely not heavy enough and because it's a totally different style it doesn't tie into the feel of the game artwork — an important consideration for alternate artwork designs.
Amy's eyes are really powerful using the full width at the top of the reference poster but this element is comparatively weak on the translite. The vine leaves look out of place — stock photography perhaps. The blending on the photo is too harsh and the black background has no texture or interest. The medallion is being covered by the blending of the photo, which looks awkward.
It really does look like what it is: roughly blended elements cut and resized from a poster.
But in these cases perhaps the old adage is true: ignorance is bliss. If you don't see the flaws then you get to enjoy it
I think you've made some excellent points. It's really not a matter of ignorance. I had a desire for a different translite and liked the poster. After discussing the idea/poster with John Hanson (the artist who did the work), he came up with the images above. He did the work on his own time without upfront compensation and I think it turned out nicely. For me, "roughly blended elements" taken from the cool poster are better than the default translite. Probably won't feel strongly until it's installed on the pinball machine. In any event, thanks for your interesting feedback.
I don't mean to be a grinch about it! I just notice this stuff. As long as you're happy with it that's what matters
I ordered one, it looks good to me. I'll try it and keep it if I like it. It's not really that difficult to change back if I don't.
I'll say it, since nobody else has:
THANK YOU for making these available to the community. You didn't have to.
-M
HAhahhaahhahahah!!!
Tim Curry and the gorilla's expression on their faces (on the second translite)!
HAhahhahahhahhha!!!
I've yet to see a fan-made alternate translite that didn't look like a bad photoshop job circa-2003. I'll take the original painted art of the real translite any day of the week.
Quoted from ButtonMash:I've yet to see a fan-made alternate translite that didn't look like a bad photoshop job circa-2003. I'll take the original painted art of the real translite any day of the week.
Just because something is "original art" doesn't make it appealing. If you like the original art, then great. If you only like it because it's hand drawn, then I don't get it.
Data East pins have lots of hand drawn art...most of it pretty mediocre.
Quoted from snaroff:Just because something is "original art" doesn't make it appealing. If you like the original art, then great. If you only like it because it's hand drawn, then I don't get it.
Data East pins have lots of hand drawn art...most of it pretty mediocre.
I wouldn't say I *only* like it because it's hand drawn, but as a general rule I will take hand drawn over photoshop any day of the week, yes. Artist interpretation is just more interesting to me, and generally the more time and effort put into it shows.
...but your congo translite is definitely the best attempt I've seen and looks cool on your machine
Quoted from KPM19:I received my translite a few days ago and it looks great.
I haven't finished the bb lighting yet but it's pretty close to done.
Here are some not so great quality phone pics.
Thanks Snaroff!
My pleasure. Glad you like it! Your lighting looks cool...I'm sure it's even nicer in person.
I had a pinball tournament this weekend and everyone loved Congo (and the custom translite/artwork). It's fun having a high quality B/W title that many people haven't played.
Quoted from billsfanmd:Is the movie as bad as everyone says? Saw it along time ago and liked it until they mowed them all down with assault rifles in the end
thanks buddy. guess I won't be needing to watch this movie now lol... just fired up a congo last night. I like it!
Quoted from sleethering:I've yet to see an alt translite that looks better than the original. Most are really, really bad.
genesis
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