Line #28 Pinball/SpyHunter


1	[[quoteright:350:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/613a2472b96ccdd92e7394e63ad0e96c.jpg]]
2	[[caption-width-right:350:[-THE GAME IS PINBALL-]\
3	[-THE PASSWORD IS EXCITEMENT!-] ]]
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5	''Spy Hunter'' is a PinballSpinoff of the [[VideoGame/SpyHunter hit arcade racing game]] of the same name. Designed by Creator/GregKmiec with art by Tony Ramunni, it was released by Creator/BallyMidway in 1984.
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7	In this game, the player must help Agent GK and his partner as they battle enemy agents on land, sea, and air. Make the SkillShot to open the safety gate, then take to the air with missiles and a one-man jet to double and triple the playfield targets. Drive through the Weapons Warehouse for armament, then drop out to engage the target in a deadly battle over the drain. Knock down the drop targets to build the score towards a Special, hit the SHOT targets to light the spinner, then enter the saucer hideout and collect the Hunter bonus.
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9	Pinheads end up sharply divided over ''Spy Hunter''. Critics bemoan the highly unorthodox design, with a trisected playfield that leaves the left side wasted, a dearth of satisfying shots, and lackluster sound effects. Fans, in turn, embrace it as a change of pace from conventional games, with three separate areas that provide a good variety of play. There is, however, consensus over the music, a catchy synthesized version of "Peter Gunn."
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11	In 1985, Bell Games of Italy released '''Saturn 2,''' a conversion kit for Bally pinballs based on ''Spy Hunter.'' Although the layout remained the same, the software was altered a bit, and the game was rethemed to a space battle between unspecified factions.
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13	----
14	!!''Spy Hunter'' and ''Saturn 2'' demonstrate the following tropes:
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16	* AlwaysAccurateAttack: The Missile Attack on the upper playfield; hitting it spots a letter in AGENT GK.
17	* BadassDriver: Agent GK performs a bootlegger reverse to shoot an enemy car behind him.
18	* BlindIdiotTranslation: The upper-left region of ''Saturn 2'' is named the "Combact Area".
19	* CodeName: The protagonist is only identified as "Agent GK".
20	** ShoutOut: "GK" is a reference to the game's designer, Creator/GregKmiec.
21	* CoolBoat: A speedy white powerboat can be found in Agent GK's stable.
22	* CoolCar: Agent GK's white sportster, complete with Machine Guns, OilSlick, Smoke Screen, and surface-to-air Missiles.
23	* CoolPlane: Two of them -- a white private jet appears on the backglass, while the playfield shows off a one-man mini-plane.
24	* DistaffCounterpart: Agent GK is accompanied by an unnamed female partner.
25	* EiffelTowerEffect: Landmarks include the Capitol Building and the Eiffel Tower.
26	* HomeBase: The Weapons Warehouse, a safe haven for the player to collect more weapons. Collecting a complete set scores the current lit bonus.
27	* HotLine: The playfield features an unseen caller using a red phone.
28	* UsefulNotes/{{Plagiarism}}: [[invoked]]''Saturn 2'' shamelessly copies spaceship art from other sources. The playfield has a [[Franchise/StarTrek Klingon Bird of Prey]] and several [[Franchise/StarWars TIE Fighters,]] while the [[http://www.ipdb.org/showpic.pl?id=3542&picno=13309 backglass]] features the Gunstar from ''Film/TheLastStarfighter.''
29	%%* RatedMForManly
30	* SpellingBonus:
31	** In ''Spy Hunter,'' S-H-O-T collects the current Hunter reward, while A-G-E-N-T-G-K gives an increasing bonus and doubles or triples all scores.
32	** In ''Saturn 2,'' F-I-R-E gives a 5,000 point bonus, while S-A-T-U-R-N-2 gives an increasing bonus and doubles or triples all scores.

Context Pinball / SpyHunter