[[quoteright:350:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/ruiner-pinball-better_7822.jpg]]
[[caption-width-right:350:Here's a MirrorMatch you don't see every day.]]

->'''Operator:''' "Current level: DEFCON 5."

'''Ruiner Pinball''' is a pinball VideoGame for the Platform/AtariJaguar, developed by Creator/HighVoltageSoftware and released in 1995. The game cartridge contains two separate DigitalPinballTables, presented with a scrolling overhead view. The only common theme between the two tables is in their uncommon designs:

* "Ruiner" consists of two pinball playfields connected side-to-side with each other. Taking place in 1962 during the UsefulNotes/ColdWar, you must raise global tensions to DEFCON 1, then start WorldWarIII against the enemy in a multiball exchange across both fields.
* "Tower" takes place in a six-screen-tall playfield, representing the [[EvilTowerOfOminousness evil tower]] of an EvilSorceress. Defeat her minions, then cast three magic spells to destroy the tower and end her reign.

''Ruiner Pinball'' left gamers with mixed feelings. Fans enjoyed the game for its straightforward action, unorthodox gameplay, and creative use of its video pinball design. Detractors bemoaned the choppy scrolling, lackluster music, and unrefined polish.

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!!''Ruiner Pinball'' demonstrates the following tropes:

* AlternateCompanyEquivalent: "Tower" is often seen as Atari's take on ''VideoGame/DevilsCrush''.
* DeathFromAbove: A recurring theme in "Ruiner" -- in addition to a bomber and two NoseArt gals dropping bombs, the right side of the table has a family anxiously looking skyward as more bombs fall down.
-->''Watch for Bombs''
* DefconFive: Averted; the game properly uses DEFCON 1 to indicate imminent nuclear war.
* TheEndOfTheWorldAsWeKnowIt[=/=]WorldWarIII: The theme of "Ruiner".
* EvilSorceress: The antagonist of "Tower".
* EvilTowerOfOminousness: The setting of "Tower", of course.
* FacelessEye: One of the enemies in "Tower" are eyeballs wandering around the playfield.
* GlowingEyesOfDoom: Seen on the sorceress.
* GreenSkinnedSpaceBabe: The EvilSorceress has dark violet skin and neon green hair.
* HammerAndSickleRemovedForYourProtection: Although the game is set during the UsefulNotes/ColdWar and the player is clearly identified as the United States, there is no indication of who the opponent is.
* HumanSacrifice: Heavily implied in "Tower", particularly with the hooded guard holding a bloody sword over a pool of blood.
* ItsRainingMen: In "Ruiner", hitting certain targets will cause paratroopers to fall from the sky onto the playfield.
* MagicStaff: The sorceress has one.
* MsFanservice: "Drop Target" and "Da Bomb," the bomb-dropping pinup girls on "Ruiner".
* MutuallyAssuredDestruction[=/=]NuclearOption: Invoked with "Ruiner", as avoiding war is not an option.
* NavelDeepNeckline: The Sorceress of "Tower" wears a bustier to emphasize her cleavage... which is cut down to her navel for more emphasis.
* NoOntologicalInertia: Played with; casting the three magic spells are supposed to destroy the Tower and cause it crumble, but we never actually see it happen.
* NoseArt[=/=]PinUp: The top of the left "Ruiner" table features two bomb-dropping pinup girls done in NoseArt style.
* TheOperatorsMustBeCrazy: Inadvertently invoked with the loading screen for "Tower", which reads
-->Welcome to Hell. Please Hold...
* OminousMultipleScreens: Seen on the bottom of the "Ruiner" board.
* PastVictimShowcase: The "Tower" board includes a previous victim who is shackled spread-eagled to a rack.
* RevealShot: In "Ruiner", starting multiball causes the camera to zoom out, showing both playfields at the same time.
%%* TopDownView
* VainSorceress: The playfield art for "Tower" puts a fair amount of focus on the sexiness of the EvilSorceress.
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