Line #2 Pinball/Centaur


1	[[quoteright:350:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/centaur-backglass_8518.jpg]]
2	[[caption-width-right:350:''[[{{Tagline}} Awaken the Competitive Spirit.]]'']]
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4	->''"Destroy Centaur."''
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6	''Centaur'' is a PhysicalPinballTable released by Creator/{{Bally}} in 1981. It was designed by Creator/JimPatla and illustrated by Creator/PaulFaris.
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8	The first and most defining aspect of ''Centaur'' is its striking visual design, with its predominantly black and white art punctuated by bursts of red and amber. The backglass is dominated by the game's Centaur, a hulking half-man half-motorcycle creature carrying a leather-clad punk woman on his back. Between the artwork and dark theme, reverberating background, and MachineMonotone voice, this is a hauntingly memorable table, reminiscent of HeavyMetal or BioPunk.
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10	''Centaur'' was only a modest success for Bally, selling around 3,700 tables, but there was enough demand that the company released ''Centaur II'' in 1985. Despite the name change, the game was the same, except for the cabinet[[note]]it used the same modernized design by Creator/DennisNordman, as seen on ''Pinball/MrAndMrsPacManPinball''[[/note]] and some internal changes.
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12	A digital version of ''Centaur'' was formerly available on ''VideoGame/ThePinballArcade'' until the license to all WMS tables expired on July 1, 2018.
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14	!!''Centaur'' demonstrates the following tropes:
15	* AntagonistTitle: The titular Centaur is set up as the player's enemy.
16	* CallAHitPointASmeerp: Pinballs are called "Power Orbs" here.
17	* DeliberatelyMonochrome: The cabinet, backglass, and playfield art are almost entirely in black and white, with slight hints of red and amber.
18	* {{Dominatrix}}: The Rider is implied to be one, with her leather outfit and bullwhip.
19	* EchoingAcoustics: ''Centaur'' featured an echo/reverb board attached to its sound card, which added echo effects to the sound.
20	* ExcusePlot: The game instructs you to "destroy Centaur" at the beginning, which is the only plot the player is given.
21	%%* FemmeFatalons: Seen on the Rider.
22	* MachineMonotone: Downplayed - the synthetic voice the game uses is not ''completely'' robotic, but still clearly mechanical enough to qualify for the trope.
23	* NonStandardGameOver: Unlike almost every other game of the solid-state era, by default, a tilt ends the entire game for that player rather than just the current ball.
24	* NumberedSequel: Subverted: Though there ''is'' a ''Centaur II'', it's more of an UpdatedRerelease than a true sequel.
25	%%* OfCorsetsSexy: Part of the Rider's dominatrix ensemble.
26	%%* OrganicTechnology: Implied, as the Centaur appear to be grown from pods, including the motorcycle bits.
27	%%** {{Biopunk}}: Possibly an UrExample.
28	* OurCentaursAreDifferent: Centaur is a predominant mix of human, horse, and motorcycle, but there are some other odds and ends as well (in particular, that hind leg[=/=]kickstand doesn't have a hoof but clawed toes).
29	* RecycledSet: It used spare backboxes from ''Rapid Fire''.
30	* RedEyesTakeWarning: Centaur, the game's antagonist, has small red eyes.
31	* SavagePiercings: Centaur sports a nose ring, adding to his bestial appearance.
32	* SpellingBonus: The right 1-2-3-4 sequence enables multiball, while O-R-B-S can reward points or add an additional ball, depending on whether it was spelled in sequence or not.
33	* TakeThatAudience: Centaur will taunt, "Slow, aren't you?" or, "Bad move, human," if you send the ball down a lane that's already lit.
34	%%* TattooAsCharacterType: The only spot of color on Centaur himself is a small red heart tattoo on his upper-left bicep.
35	* WhatTheHellPlayer: Tilting the machine causes Centaur to remark "No class, human."
36	* WhipOfDominance: The Rider carries a large leather bullwhip which gives her a {{Dominatrix}} overtone when combined with her HellBentForLeather outfit.
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Context Pinball / Centaur