Gardner, MA
PLEASE READ THIS FIRST! if you hate the game, this is not the thread for you, so kindly exit.
For those that have never played one, are fans, or want more info on it, please read on.
Everyone knows about or have heard the SHAQ horror stories. ''The game sucks'' ''it's a dog to play'' ''The announcer is terrible'' ''I walked away without finishing''
But what if the game was actually great for what it is? I've always kept those comments in the back of my mind, and wanted to experience it for myself.
My friend and I spotted one at Allentown Pinfest a couple years ago, so we jumped on it. It played like dog shit. We walked away.
But...we both agreed: '' damn, I'd like to play a good one with strong flippers...''
One became available recently for a very fair price, so my friend and I jumped on it. Being an owner of Gottlieb ''Hoops'', a game with little exposure, we were eager to compare the two because we love Hoops.
Shaq art is very...mid 90's. The cabinet especially. It does not get much better on the playfield, either. I do however (and I'm in the minority) like the translight. It's goofy and tells the story.
Shaq Pinball, what is it?
It has an unusual layout and interesting shots. At times this game can be blazing fast needing quick reflexes. Strong flippers are a must, and everything needs to be at 100%. This game will surely play poorly with things not working and weak flippers.
The rotating basket is a very fun shot. It never gets old when you get a basket, and this is where you collect your Jackpots and Super Jackpots.
The other notable neat feature is how it keeps track of separate basket points, versus pinball points on the dot matrix. Much like Hoops, this is where the game can be extremely fun with friends. Play 2 on 2 and combine basket points per team? 1 on 1 basket points only, with first person to 5 wins? Pinball points only? Lots of possibilities. The scoring is extremely well balanced as well, and consistently your scores will be around the same ball park unless you have a break out game.
Right inlane shot lights the vari target, which ''smashes the backboard'' glass shattering sound effects with dot matrix animations. It's a cool throwback shot, and enough of these shots completed lights a timed extra ball and 10 million per backboard break. Being a vari target, you need to smack it good!
The right ramp is a pretty easy shot. You shoot this to start its mini modes and collect your multi ball. Sometimes you just need that safe ramp though.
The spinner is underrated. Like Hoops, it spins real well and this one orbits back to the flippers. It's a feel good shot and can pay off with some good basket points from time to time.
The drop targets are easily the hardest shots in the game. These are for your multipliers (so they're worth hitting) but they are tricky to hit. In one timed mode, you get an extra ball if you can hit just ONE. They work like this: One comes up, hit that and then two come up, then three, etc. Rinse, wash, repeat. The mini flippers are small and make shooting for them very difficult. You're more likely to hit these with the lower larger flippers.
Your ultimate goal is to go the ''The Finals'', which consists of hitting/collecting the horse, clocks, trophies and basketball shots through out the game when they're lit. Once that is completed, you go to the Finals and it's a timed mode where you need to hit the major shots to collect 100 million. There are also hidden features that do something when they're all collected, but I haven't gone that far yet.
Now on to the ''must do'' and the bad.
First the must do. For experienced/seasoned players only, you need to remove the outlane posts completely. Set the game to ''Tournament mode'' and minimize the coach call outs. Also, set all your game play settings to ''Very Hard'' or at least most of them. This will make the game play more like an old bally, and adds more of a risk and calculation to the shots you decide to make, because you pay for them with those posts removed. If your game has a center bounce post- remove it.
The true bad about Shaq Attack Pinball, and the shame.
The shame about this game is the fact that it's basically just the use of Shaq's likeness. No callouts, and nothing really about Shaq in the game itself. The announcer is a bad bummer, but I have found with the game turned down, he's not really as bothersome.
Sure, there are a few should of, could of and would of's throughout, but if you take the game for its unique style, interesting gameplay options, play with friends (and play a strong playing game) its really an excellent and addicting game to play! The system 3 is proven reliability as well. If you get a chance, give it a chance.
Thanks for stopping in. Like Hoops, Shaq is for the long haul because of its diverse gameplay. There is not a lot of information or talk about this game, so I hope this thread helps. I will also be adding pictures, tweaks, advice and some add ons shortly.
