Very cool project!

videomode suggestion >> shoot the gophers as they run across the screen. similar to FT shoot the boats. IMHO good video modes need to be simple, a non-repeating pattern (STTNG is bad cause you can just memorize the pattern), and relatively quick.

I also like when video modes are awarded after or along with something that is timed or hectic. For example in FT (pretty much the best video mode ever), have video mode loaded, start monsterfish which is a timed count down for left orbit. Coincidentally the left orbit is also the shot to start video mode.

Rain effects are likely for caddyshack type " The hard stuff is not even coming down yet" or whatever the quote is...

The new mode should reference this if possible.

You have to keep playing as more and more rain comes down. Could be a fun very chaotic mode. This could actually be a fun safecracker style of mode. What I mean is a mode where it is timed till flippers die and the object is to keep adding time to your mode. Basically a game within a game. Could have a seperate high score board for this mode?