Revenge from Mars is the sequel to Attack from Mars, released in January 1999 by Williams Electronics (being the final pinball game released under the Bally label). It was designed by veteran arcade game creator George Gomez, whose previous Video Games include Spy Hunter and TRON, with artwork by Greg Freres and John Youssi, and programming by Keith Johnson.
It was notable for being the first of the two ill-fated "Pinball 2000" games (the other being Star Wars Episode I), which utilized digital graphics projected over the playfield to create an interesting psuedo-3D illusion of immersion. The format of the game is also different from its predecessor: you are given a choice of nine missions in three categories to tackle.
The making of the game is profiled in the documentary Tilt: The Battle to Save Pinball
This pinball machine contains examples of:
- Abnormal Ammo: In "Paris in Peril", a saucer lands on the Eiffel Tower, and the player must fling items like watermelons and cows at it.
- Alien Autopsy: The focus of the "Martian Autopsy" mode.
- Alien Invasion: The game's premise.
- Aliens Steal Cable: "Mars Kneads Women" has the player destroying televisions that a Martian is watching.
- Aliens Steal Cattle: One of the objects that's tractor beamed up during the "Alien Abduction" mode is a cow.
- Attack of the 50-Foot Whatever: The "Secret Weapon" mode has the Lincoln memorial turning into the "Advanced Battle Emancipator" fighting a Big-O Martian.
- Bizarre Alien Biology: Martians drink gasoline the same way humans drink alcohol.
- Company Cross References:
- The "Drive-In Demolition" mode is a reference to the "Move Your Car" mode in the Creature from the Black Lagoon pinball machine.
- Deplete the Big-O Martian's Life Meter in "Secret Weapon" and you're prompted to "FINISH HIM!" (Williams had acquired Mortal Kombat developer Midway back in 1988.)
- Easter Egg: During the attract mode, pressing the flipper buttons in a certain sequencenote will show a picture of the development team.
- Every 10,000 Points: By default, extra balls are given out (as opposed to replays) at certain point plateaus.
- Finishing Move: Done in "Secret Weapon" mode as a Shout-Out to Mortal Kombat.
- Fun with Acronyms: The Lincoln Memorial doubles as the Advanced Battle Emancipator.
- Hologram: The "Pinball 2000" platform, which projected video images onto the playfield.
- Humongous Mecha/Living Statue/Weaponized Landmark: The "Secret Weapon" is a giant Abe Lincoln robot.
- Life Meter: Used in the Fighting Game-styled "Secret Weapon" mode.
- Mars Needs Women: Various animations indicate the Martians still desire women, to the point where one mode is titled "Mars Kneads Women".
- Mission-Pack Sequel: Revenge is essentially this to Attack from Mars — the fundamental layout and gameplay is the same in both games.
- Monumental Damage: "Tower Struggle"
- My Brain Is Big: The aliens have wrinkly oversized heads.
- Punny Name: "Tower Struggle" and "Mars Kneads Women".
- Revenge of the Sequel: The title, of course.
- Shout-Out: "Martian Aerobics" is a homage to Space Invaders.
- Stuff Blowing Up: Frequently the result of a mode's conclusion.
- Tractor Beam: Used in the "Alien Abduction" mode.
- Unexpected Gameplay Change: "Secret Weapon" changes into a Fighting Game (albeit heavily simplified for the control scheme).
