[[quoteright:350:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/sharkeys-shootout_5798.jpg]]
[[caption-width-right:350:The only thing more boisterous than the game is its creation.]]

''Sharkey's Shootout'' is a PhysicalPinballTable released by Creator/SternPinball in 2000. Designed by Creator/JohnBorg with art by veteran pinball artist Creator/JohnYoussi, this is a game with an unconventionally tumultuous origin.

''Sharkey's'' is about an exclusive, invitation-only pool tournament in Sharkey's Pool Hall, where a motley cast of characters -- including Sharkey himself, Tex the cowboy, and a space alien -- attempt to dethrone the current champion, RealLife pool expert Jeanette "The Black Widow" Lee. The player must first defeat five other players at 8-ball or 9-ball, then take on The Black Widow herself to win the generous cash prize. And the challenge extends beyond the playfield, as ''Sharkey's'' is Stern's first tournament pinball, allowing players worldwide to compete with each other.

This game got its start as ''Golden Cue,'' [[note]]Full title: ''Kelly Packard's Golden Cue''[[/note]] a SpiritualSuccessor to Creator/{{Bally}}'s ''Pinball/EightBall Deluxe.'' It was developed at Creator/SegaPinball by Creator/JonNorris, who intended it to be a "goal oriented" game that ended after a set of objectives were met, giving beginners opportunities to catch up to expert players. Outside of a handful of test machines, however, ''Golden Cue'' was never finished, as Sega Pinball closed its doors and was reformed into Stern Pinball. During the transition, Jon Norris was ousted due to conflicts with management, and John Borg was tasked with re-engineering ''Golden Cue's'' unorthodox game design into a more conventional pinball table.

Perhaps as a reflection of its turbulent origins, players' opinions of ''Sharkey's Shootout'' tend to be divided between those who enjoy its blend of old-school gameplay and modern sensibilities, and those who dislike its white backbox, poor sound quality, and conflicting mix of rules and game elements.

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!!''Golden Cue'' demonstrated the following tropes:

* CelebrityEndorsement: Kelly Packard of ''Series/{{Baywatch}}'' was reportedly added to ''Golden Cue'' because she looked good on the backglass and cabinet art, in a blatant attempt to attract players. She has no connection to either pinball or billiards.
* DepartmentOfRedundancyDepartment: The flyer claimed that "NOW TOURNAMENT VERSION EASILY UPDATES TO TOURNAMENT VERSION!" on ''both sides''.
* FlexibleTourneyRules: ''Golden Cue'' was designed to have different "freezes" that could be used during tournaments to change the rules.
* NonActorVehicle: Attempted by signing Kelly Packard to the game, but ultimately averted by its non-release.
* SpellingBonus: Two of the goals needed to win the game were spelling V-O-D-K-A and G-O-L-D-E-N.
%%* SpiritualSuccessor: To ''Pinball/EightBall Deluxe.''
* SkillShot: Shoot the ball into the center rollover.
* TakeThat: One of the messages displayed during the Attract Mode was "Can You Read This?" flipped upside down (which mirrored on the top part of the playfield). Sega did this because they knew about [[{{Creator/WilliamsElectronics}} Williams']] [[AdvancedTech2000 Pinball 2000]] platform, using a monitor flipped for reflection onto the upper third of the playfield.
* TournamentPlay: ''Golden Cue'' was intended to support worldwide tournaments, using technology from Incredible Technologies' ''Golden Tee'' series of VideoGames.
* UnexpectedGameplayChange: To win at ''Golden Cue'', the player had to complete six goals, then shoot the Corner Pocket to collect a countdown bonus and finish the game. Expert players were expected to play faster and collect a bigger bonus.

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!!''Sharkey's Shootout'' demonstrates the following tropes:

%%* AlliterativeTitle
* AsideGlance: On the backglass, both "Sticks" and Dr. Wood are giving sidelong glances to the viewer.
* BuildingOfAdventure: Everything takes place in Sharkey's exclusive pool hall.
* CelebrityEndorsement: Jeanette Lee was added to ''Sharkey's Shootout'' to lend some billiards ''gravitas'', but did not participate in its design or development.
* {{Cowboy}}: Tex, complete with large hat and bolo tie.
%%* TheDandy: "Sticks", the Bumper Pool champ.
%%* FinalBoss: Jeanette "The Black Widow" Lee.
%%* TheGreys: Mr. Grey, the "Combo King".
* InSeriesNickname: Except for Sharkey, all of the pool players have a nickname.
* RedBaron: Jeanette Lee's RealLife nickname is "The Black Widow" because of how, in spite of her sweet demeanor, she would "eat people alive" when she plays pool.
* ShoutOut: Tex could be seen as a ShoutOut to ''Pinball/EightBall Deluxe,'' which featured a cast of cowboys.
* SpellingBonus: P-O-O-L relights the Mystery Ball, C-U-E increases the bonus mulitiplier and starts Bumper Pool, and P-A-Y-O-F-F awards the current prize money value.
* SkillShot: Shoot the ball into the center rollover.
* TournamentPlay: Like ''Golden Cue,'' ''Sharkey's'' supports worldwide tournament play.
* UnexpectedGameplayChange: The game against Jeanette Lee is neither 8-ball or 9-ball, but "The Web", a four-ball multiball mode.
* WizardMode: "The Web," the game against Jeanette Lee. Shoot four key shots to collect the four Jackpots and start Web Hurry-Up, then shoot the Black Widow drop target to collect the current Web value. This repeats until only one ball remains.
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