History Pinball / Congo

* EverythingsBetterWithCows: During "Satellite Transfer", the eighth image transmitted is a cow.

* SpellingBonus: Z-I-N-J enables the Mystery Saucer, A-M-Y increases the bonus multiplier and enable Amy Mode, H-I-P-P-O enables the VideoMode, G-R-A-Y starts Gray Attack, and C-O-N-G-O collects the lower playfield reward.

[[quoteright:350:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/congo-pinball_2109.jpg]]

''Congo'' is a 1995 [[PhysicalPinballTables arcade pinball game]] from Creator/WilliamsElectronics. [[LicensedPinballTables Based on the]] Creator/MichaelCrichton [[Film/{{Congo}} film adaptation,]] it was designed by Creator/JohnTrudeau and illustrated by Kevin O'Connor.

As with the movie, the player is leading an expedition to Africa, and quickly runs across a [[AdvancedAncientAcropolis lost city,]] a diamond mine, and lots of {{Killer Gorilla}}s. Elude poisonous snakes, avoid the rabid bears, and dodge the hippo attacks on the way to Zenj. Consult the Map and decipher the heiroglyphs, then follow the lava flow around the volcano and be prepared when it erupts for multiball. For more riches, wait for the Grays to attack, then confront the giant gorilla in the lower playfield and try to collect the diamonds he guards.

* TakeThatPlayer: Amy will insult you if you tilt the game.

* SkillShot: The standard Skill Shot is to hit the lit kickback target for an award. Alternately, soft plunge the ball into the left outlane for 25 million, and try to shoot the Map Saucer for a Kickback Combo.
** In the Skill Fire mode (a Map award), the player tries to do nothing but make skill shots for [[TimedMission a short period of time]].

* ShellGame: Shooting the Mine Shaft displays a set of tunnel entrances; one leads to several diamonds, while the others result in an attack from a bear or a snake.

->"HIPPOS!"

'''Congo''' is a 1995 [[PhysicalPinballTables arcade pinball game]] from Creator/WilliamsElectronics. [[LicensedPinballTables Based on the]] Creator/MichaelCrichton [[Film/{{Congo}} film adaptation,]] it was designed by Creator/JohnTrudeau and illustrated by Kevin O'Connor.

* HeavyHippo: As with the movie, the hippos here are depicted as dangerous and ferocious, with open mouths baring their fangs.

* MythologyGag: Several of the images sent during Satellite Transfer refer to Creator/JohnTrudeau's classic ''Pinball/CreatureFromTheBlackLagoon,'' including a hot dog vendor and a man yelling "Move your car!"

* SkillShot: The standard Skill Shot is to hit the lit kickback target for an award. Alternately, soft plunge the ball into the left outlane for 25 million, and try to shoot eh Map Saucer for a Kickback Combo.

* SpellingBonus: Z-I-N-J enables the Mystery Saucer, A-M-Y to increase the bonus multiplier and enable Amy Mode, H-I-P-P-O to enable the VideoMode, G-R-A-Y to start Gray Attack, and C-O-N-G-O to collect the lower playfield reward.

Among pinball enthusiasts, ''Congo'' is the textbook example of an AcclaimedFlop -- the game is highly regarded for its impressive ruleset, challenging layout, stirring soundtrack, and a bevy of toys, including a snarling gray gorilla sculpted by Creator/StanWinston himself. However, the game is often overlooked due to the box-office failure of its license, and it was released during the decline of arcade gaming in TheNineties. ''Congo'' ended up as Williams' worst-selling game of the year, with only 2,100 tables were made, making it [[VindicatedByHistory highly coveted among collectors as their rarity increases.]]

* HeavyHippo: As with the movie, the hippos here are depicted as dangerous and ferocious.

->'''Amy:''' "Amy want play pinball."

->'''Amy:''' "Amy want play pinball."

* AllNaturalGemPolish

* SentryGun: Played by the upper-left flipper, which shoots lasers (and pinballs) at an attacking gorilla.

* VideoMode: Steer a boat down the river, avoiding rocks and attacking hippos along the way.

Among pinball enthusiasts, ''Congo'' is the textbook example of an AcclaimedFlop -- the game is highly rated for its impressive ruleset and challenging layout, but is often overlooked due to the box-office failure of its license. This was Williams' worst-selling game of the year, and only 2,100 tables were made, making it [[VindicatedByHistory highly coveted among collectors as their rarity increases.]]

->'''Amy:''' "Amy want play pinball."