For a high score on RBION you have to achieve at least a couple of these things in one game:
1. Make every skill shot. That's 6 million points per 3-ball game right there. If you manage to earn one extra ball that gives you another 4 million. If you manage to earn yet another extra ball that gives you another 5 million. That's a total of 15 million just from the skill shots! Earning (or being awarded) 2 extra balls in one game of RBION is not that hard as there are many ways to earn an extra ball; 2mil super jackpot, tic-tac-toe board, Idol hits, BOZO award, and amazing event (mystery award at scoop).
2. Unlimited millions (awarded from the tic-tac-toe board). You can really jack your score up quickly in this mode. Every shot to the upper loop increases the "millions" award.
3. Super Jackpot. Enough said. It only requires 2 shots (any combination of the ramps and upper loop) to relight the super jackpot so getting 2 during multiball is not out of reach even for an average player.
4. Stack your modes. All single modes can be stacked with another mode. All you have to do after a single ball mode starts is shoot the right ramp and then the vari-target; a second mode will start.
5. Time your 2x playfield scoring wisely. Multiball is a obvious place to want to have 2x scoring, but the *big* 2x opportunity is when you have played, uh visited, all the continents and then shoot the vari-target for your reward. You get 1 million PLUS the grand total of all your scores from all 7 continents. If you have 2x going this score will be doubled. It's not uncommon to get 15m if you can accomplish this. Unlimited millions is another mode that can really jack up your score if you have 2x going.
6. Try to get the road trip mode started on ball one as the total amount of jewels you earn will be part of your bonus for all the remaining balls in your game.
Most people who do not *get* this game to not understand the tic-tac-toe board. Learning when to open the gate or when to keep it closed is key to controlling the board and earning the awards when and where you best need them.
I've owned this game for 8 years and the most Ripley's letters I have ever gotten is 5. You not only have to play a mode to get a letter, you must also beat it. If you do not beat it you must travel the entire continent, relight the mode, and play if from the beginning (no progress save). Some of the more lucrative points come with no possible letter reward; i.e. - super jackpot, unlimited millions, and continent reward. To get to the eighth continent (wizard mode) you have to get all 7 Ripley's letters, but don't let that distract you from some big scoring opportunities along the way. If you focus strictly on getting to the wizard mode (highly unlikely for the average player) you will probably not end up with a very high score.
My average score is around 25m; left outlane all the way open, right outlane half open, all settings on factory default. My highest score (out of probably 4000 tries) is 159m. Just about every element of the above 6 I described occurred in that game.
Terry.