History Pinball / TheWizardOfOz

'''The Wizard of Oz''' is a 2013 widebody [[PhysicalPinballTable pinball machine,]] most notable for being the debut game from new pinball manufacturer Jersey Jack Pinball. It was designed by Joe Balcer, with artwork by Jerry Vanderstelt, Creator/GregFreres, and Matt Riesterer, and programming by Keith Johnson.

* TimedMission: Several of the modes, most notably "Rescue Toto".

* EverythingsBetterWithSpinning: Dorothy's house spins, because it wouldn't be ''Oz'' without it. There's even a "Spin the House" mode to invoke this trope.

* EverythingsBetterWithSpinning
** Dorothy's house, which spins because it wouldn't be proper if it didn't.
** Similarly, the Munchkinland playfield requires the player to make multiple consecutive loops for the best rewards.

** The true Wizard Mode is "Somewhere Over The Rainbow", and can only be reached by finishing the game's '''eight''' main objectives (advance the Yellow Brick Road 35 times, collect three gifts in Emerald City multiball, finish all of the Munchkin modes, complete Fireball Frenzy, collect the Emeralds from the Wicked Witch, play all Crystal Ball modes, collect all the Haunted Modes, and score a Mega Jackpot in Rescue multiball).

As Jersey Jack Pinball's first game, ''The Wizard of Oz'' had some very high expectations, which most players believe it fulfills admirably. The game mixes nostalgia with modern gaming conventions, with a broad and detailed ruleset to keep players engaged. The moderate pace makes it approachable for newcomers, with the large display giving clear instructions and keeping bystanders entertained. The playfield toys are detailed and well-crafted, with the color-changing LED lighting and seven-speaker digital sound complimenting the package. If there's a complaint, it tends to be that the crowded playfield doesn't provide room for fast flowing action.

'''The Wizard of Oz''' is a 2013 widebody [[PhysicalPinballTable pinball machine,]] most notable for being the debut game from new pinball manufacturer Jersey Jack Pinball. It was designed by Joe Balcer, with artwork by Jerry Vanderstelt, Creator/GregFreres, and Matt Riesterer and programming by Keith Johnson.

* TradeSnark: TM symbols accompany all of the character names -- yes, even "Dorothy™".

The game itself is [[LicensedPinballTables based on]] [[Film/TheWizardOfOz the famous 1939 MGM film adaptation]] of Creator/LFrankBaum's ''Literature/TheWonderfulWizardOfOz''. Start with the Twister spinning the famrhouse to Oz, then use the Ruby Slippers to follow the Yellow Brick Road in a battle of good versus evil. Recruit the Scarecrow, the Tin Man, and the Lion, then battle the Trumper Bumpers in the Haunted Forest, bash open the Castle Doors, and rescue Dorothy from the Wicked Witch's Castle. Ride the Wizard's balloon, visit Munchkinland and the Wizard's Throne Room, and help Toto Escape, but beware the Winged Monkeys who are ready to pluck you for an unexpected ride. As you light up the Rainbow and restore color to Oz, the HD screen provides instructions with a mixture of movie clips, text, and CGI effects.

** The true Wizard Mode is "Somewhere Over The Rainbow", and can only be reached by finishing the game's '''eight''' main objectives (advance the Yellow Brick Road 35 times, collect three gifts in Emerald City multiball, finish all of the Munchkin modes, complete Fireball Frenzy, collect the Emeralds from the Wicked Witch, play all Crystal Ball modes, collect all the Haunted Modes, and score a Mega Jackpot in Rescue multiball).

The game itself is [[LicensedPinballTables based on]] [[Film/TheWizardOfOz the famous 1939 MGM film adaptation]] of Creator/LFrankBaum's ''Literature/TheWonderfulWizardOfOz''. Start with the Twister spinning the famrhouse to Oz, then use the Ruby Slippers to follow the Yellow Brick Road in a battle of good versus evil. Recruit the Scarecrow, the Tin Man, and the Lion, then battle the Trumper Bumpers in the Haunted Forest, bash open the Castle Doors, and rescue Dorthy from the Wicked Witch's Castle. Ride the Wizard's balloon, visit Munchkinland and the Wizard's Throne Room, and help Toto Escape, but beware the Winged Monkeys who are ready to pluck you for an unexpected ride. As you light up the Rainbow and restore color to Oz, the HD screen provides instructions with a mixture of movie clips, text, and CGI effects.

* AmusingInjuries: When Dorthy's House stops spinning, the feet of the Wicked Witch of the East pop out from one side.

* DescendedCreator: Played with; many of the playfield toys were sculpted by longtime pinball designer Creator/DennisNordman, such as Dorthy's spinning house. Makes sense, given that Dennis [[RealMenWearPink designs custom dollhouses in his free time.]]

** Dorthy's house, which spins because it wouldn't be proper if it didn't.

* PaintingTheMedium: The two bottom flippers are Dorthy's ruby slippers.

** S-C-A-R-E-C-R-O-W, T-I-N-M-A-N, and L-I-O-N recruit Dorthy's companions and enable the multiball locks.

** R-E-S-C-U-E opens the Castle Doors and rescues Dorthy from the Witch.

* StormingTheCastle: "Storm the Castle" multiball, available if Rescue Multiball is started and Dorthy isn't captured yet.

** The sub-Wizard Mode is "Battle The Wicked Witch", which is reached by finishing Emerald City multiball, rescuing Dorthy, and getting through the Wicked Witch Attack and Fireball Frenzy.

'''The Wizard of Oz''' is a 2013 widebody [[PhysicalPinballTable pinball machine,]] most notable for being the debut game from new pinball manufacturer Jersey Jack Pinball. It was designed by Joe Balcer, with artwork by Jerry Vanderstelt, Creator/GregFreres, and Matt Riesterer.

* WizardMode: As with Joe Balcer's earlier pinballs (most notably ''Pinball/TheSimpsonsPinballParty'' and ''Pinball/TheLordOfTheRings''), only the best players will get to either of these.

** The true Wizard Mode is "Somewhere Over The Rainbow", and can only be reached by finishing the game's eight main objectives (advance the Yellow Brick Road 35 times, collect three gifts in Emerald City multiball, finish all of the Munchkin modes, complete Fireball Frenzy, collect the Emeralds from the Wicked Witch, play all Crystal Ball modes, collect all the Haunted Modes, and score a Mega Jackpot in Rescue multiball).

* WizardMode: As with Joe Balcer's earlier pinballs (most notably ''Pinball/TheSpimsponsPinballParty'' and ''Pinball/TheLordOfTheRings''), only the best players will get to either of these.

* ObviousBeta: Some aspects of the original game software are clearly incomplete, most notably some incomplete bonuses and the missing {{Wizard Mode}}s as the most glaring example. Various software updates have addressed the issues, however.

* AmazingTechnicolorWildlife: The Horse of a Different Color, where the player must hit at least four horse targets, then collect a reward based on the resulting colors.

* SkillShot: Launch the ball, then immediately hit one of the lit skill targets on the playfield.

** Played straight with the "Emerald City" version, which includes green trim, a mirroed backglass, a shaker motor, flying Winged Monkey, non-reflective glass, motorized Castle gates, and an OLED crystal ball on the playfield that plays various videos during the game.

As Jersey Jack Pinball's first game, ''The Wizard of Oz'' had some very high expectations, which most players believe it fulfills admirably. The game mixes nostalgia with modern gaming conventions, with a deep ruleset to keep players engaged. The moderate pace makes it approachable for newcomers, with the large display giving clear instructions and keeping bystanders entertained. The playfield toys are detailed and well-crafted, with the color-changing LED lighting and seven-speaker digital sound complimenting the package. If there's a complaint, it tends to be that the crowded playfield doesn't provide room for fast flowing action.

* PinballScoring: Averted; the score levels for ''Oz'' are noticably lower than most other modern-day pinball games.

-->"Here, Scarecrow! Wanna play ball?"

The game itself is [[LicensedPinballTables based on]] [[Film/TheWizardOfOz the famous 1939 MGM film adaptation]] of Creator/LFrankBaum's ''Literature/TheWonderfulWizardOfOz''. Start with the Twister spinning the famrhouse to Oz, then use the Ruby Slippers to follow the Yellow Brick Road in a battle of good versus evil. Recruit the Scarecrow, the Tin Man, and the Lion, then battle the Trumper Bumpers in the Haunted Forest, bash open the Castle Doors, and rescue Dorthy from the Wicked Witch's Castle. Ride the Wizard's balloon, visit Munchkinland, and help Toto Escape, but beware the Winged Monkeys who are ready to pluck you for an unexpected ride. As you light up the Rainbow and restore color to Oz, the HD screen plays movie clips and provides game instructions.

As Jersey Jack Pinball's first game, ''The Wizard of Oz'' had some very high expectations, which most players believe it fulfills admirably. The game mixes nostalgia with modern gaming conventions, with a deep ruleset to keep players engaged. The moderate pace makes it approachable for newcomers, with the large display giving clear instructions and keeping bystanders entertained. The playfield toys are detailed and well-crafted, with the color-changing LED lighting and seven-speaker digital sound complimenting the package.

* EverythingsBetterWithSpinning: Dorthy's house, which spins because it wouldn't be proper if it didn't.

** Played straight with the "Emerald City" version, which includes green trim, a shaker motor, flying Winged Monkey, non-reflective glass, motorized Castle gates, and an OLED crystal ball on the playfield that plays various videos during the game.
** Somewhat subverted with the "75th Anniversary" edition, which has red metal trim, a new backbox topper, more detailed table elements, and additional playfield toys, such as the Twister and Toto in his basket. However, everything but the metalwork is available separately, allowing owners to upgrade their existing games to match.

* SpellingBonus: S-C-A-R-E-C-R-O-W, T-I-N-M-A-N, and L-I-O-N recruit Dorthy's companions, R-E-S-C-U-E rescues Dorthy from the Witch, T-O-T-O allows Toto to escape, B-A-L-L activates the Wicked Witch's Crystal Ball, and R-A-I-N-B-O-W restores the Rainbow to Munchkinland.

As Jersey Jack Pinball's first game, ''The Wizard of Oz'' had some very high expectations, which it fulfills admirably for most players. The game mixes nostalgia with modern gaming conventions, with a deep ruleset to keep players engaged. The moderate pace makes it approachable for newcomers, with the large LED display giving clear aid and bystanders entertained. The playfield toys are detailed and well-crafted, with the color-changing LED lighting and seven-speaker digital sound complimenting the package.

* SpellingBonus: S-C-A-R-E-C-R-O-W, T-I-N-M-A-N, and L-I-O-N recruit Dorthy's companions, R-E-S-C-U-E rescues Dorthy from the Witch, and R-A-I-N-B-O-W restores the Rainbow to Oz.