Line #38 Pinball/StrangeScience


1	[[quoteright:350:http://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/strangesciencebackglass_3299.jpg]]
2	[[caption-width-right:350:Hey, that's not [[Film/WeirdScience Lisa...]]]]
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4	->'''Dr. Shock:''' "This is what [[TitleDrop Strange Science]] is all about!"
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6	''Strange Science'' is a PhysicalPinballTable designed by Dan Langlois and illustrated by Creator/GregFreres. It was released by Creator/BallyMidway in 1986.
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8	On [[ItWasADarkAndStormyNight a dark and stormy night,]] [[HormoneAddledTeenager frisky teens Jodi and Todd]] venture into an abandoned old house, only to get separated by a MadScientist living within. Dr. Shock introduces Jodi to Gertrude the chimpanzee, then announces his wild experiment to [[FreakyFridayFlip swap their bodies.]] While Todd rushes to save her, the player must use the Particle Accelerator and the Atom Smasher to power up the experiment, and activate the Anti-Gravity machine to move balls up the playfield. Trigger the Power Saver to prevent drains down the outlane, fill up the test tube, then start a five-ball multiball spree and start some [[TitleDrop Strange Science!]]
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10	[[TheMockbuster Capitalizing on the "wacky science" comedy movies]] of TheEighties, ''Strange Science'' ended up a modest success, selling around 2,300 units. It was marketed with a seven-page black-and-white comic by Brian Colin (the designer of ''VideoGame/{{Rampage}}'') documenting the back story. While it's not a particularly deep game, it has a fair number of fans who enjoy its wacky humor and engaging layout.
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12	----
13	!!''Strange Science'' demonstrates the following tropes:
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15	* AllThereInTheManual: The game's background story is only presented in the promotional comic.
16	* AntiGravity: The Anti-Gravity machine shoots balls up to the top of the playfield.
17	* BigElectricSwitch: Dr. Shock is grabbing one on the backglass.
18	* DamselInDistress: Jodi.
19	* EinsteinHair: Dr. Shock has a scalp of cropped white hair.
20	* EpilepticFlashingLights: The Jacob's Ladder neon topper tends to flicker very rapidly, producing this effect.
21	* EvilLaugh: Though the game lacks any voices, it makes up for it with a variety of modulated laughs from Dr. Shock.
22	* ExcusePlot: The backstory of Jodi, Todd, and Shock's experiment don't factor into the game at all -- just shoot stuff and score points.
23	* FreakyFridayFlip: The experiment is to swap Jodi and Gertrude's bodies.
24	* GeniusSlob: Dr. Shock's desk (represented by the pinball table's apron) is a slovenly mess, including a half-empty can of cola, a partially-eaten cheeseburger and a tube of ketchup.
25	* GoldenSnitch: Multiball is ridiculously unbalanced - The playfield multiplier goes up to ''12x'' with all five balls out.
26	* HormoneAddledTeenager: Jodi and Todd.
27	* ImprobableWeaponUser: Todd charges into the laboratory with his electric guitar held like a shotgun.
28	* ItWasADarkAndStormyNight
29	* LabcoatOfScienceAndMedicine: Dr. Shock is always seen wearing one.
30	* MadScientist: Dr. E. Shock, the antagonist.
31	* MadScientistLaboratory: The playfield is decorated like a classic laboratory. Operators can also install a backbox topper resembling a [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spark_gap#Visual_entertainment Jacob's Ladder]] with an electric arc.
32	* TheMockbuster: The game intentionally invites comparisons to films such as ''Film/WeirdScience'' and ''Film/RealGenius''.
33	* NoNameGiven: Ultimately subverted; although the MadScientist is never named anywhere, a small nametag on his coat reads "Dr. E. Shock".
34	* NotSoAbandonedBuilding[=/=]OldDarkHouse: Shock's lab is located inside a seemingly-abandoned OldDarkHouse.
35	* ScoreMultiplier: 3x, 6x, 9x, or 12x with 2, 3, 4, or 5 balls in play, respectively.
36	* SkillShot: Time your launch so it rolls over the Particle Separator switch when the moving light is on the desired reward.
37	* SpellingBonus: L-A-B increases the bonus multiplier, while S-T-R-A-N-G-E-S-C-I-E-N-C-E advances the Spark Bonus.
38	* UnwantedRescue: The comic ends with [[BigDamnHeroes Todd bursting in to rescue Jodi]] (whose mind is now in the body of Gertrude the chimp), only for her to note, "Save me?! He's gotta be kidding -- this is the most fun I've had in years!"
39	* ValleyGirl: Jodi even ''thinks'' in val-speak.

Context Pinball / StrangeScience