Revenge from Mars
| Company type | Pinball machine |
|---|---|
| Industry | Arcade games, Pinball |
| Founded | 1999 |
| Founder | George Gomez |
| Products | Pinball game |
| Parent | Williams Electronics Games (under Bally brand) |
Revenge from Mars is a pinball game developed by George Gomez and manufactured by Williams Electronics Games under the Bally brand in 1999. It acts as the direct follow-up to Attack from Mars.
This machine marked the debut of the Williams Pinball 2000 platform, which combines traditional mechanical playfields with interactive video overlays (see also Star Wars Episode I).
A key innovation was its default configuration awarding additional balls rather than free game replays upon reaching specific score thresholds (50 million and 200 million points), a setting that operators could modify. Additionally, the end-of-game match sequence, which randomly grants free games, could be turned off—a feature first disabled in 1994's Road Show but later reactivated in most subsequent machines.
Gameplay
The gameplay includes 9 primary modes organized into 3 clusters, with each completed mode illuminating one Saucer light. Players can either select the starting mode themselves or allow it to begin automatically after a delay. The modes proceed sequentially from left to right, except for the central (Saucer) cluster, which becomes active only after finishing one of the other groups. Modes remain active until fully completed, even if the ball changes.
Successfully completing a mode without error earns a "Flawless" rating and activates a corresponding Saucer light. Securing Flawless ratings across all modes lights all 9 Saucer indicators, which together with Martian Multiball and Mothership Multiball unlocks Attack Mars. However, Saucer lights may also be obtained through Martian Multiball, Stroke of Luck, Bonus Wave Multiball, or Super Jackpot, meaning flawless completion is not strictly required for advancement.
Fuel
- Alien Abduction — Set against the backdrop of the White House, this mode features a large flying saucer overhead accompanied by smaller UFOs attempting to abduct various items such as sports cars and cows using tractor beams. Players cycle through these items via Action buttons and can earn up to 3 million points by rescuing abducted objects. The value of each item rapidly decreases once abduction starts. Shooting the Martian saves the item, adds its current value to the mode's "jackpot" (which begins at 1 million points), and destroys smaller UFOs through center targets, ramps, loops, or missile shots. After eliminating seven smaller saucers, a final shot on the middle Mini ramp destroys the large saucer, concluding the mode with a Flawless rating and lighting one Saucer light. This mode includes voice clips performed by a Bill Clinton impersonator.
- Martian Happy Hour — This scenario presents five Martians causing mischief at a bar beneath three hanging "kegs" containing kerosene, gasoline, and propane. Martians positioned on ramps require one hit each to be destroyed; those located on the Capture Lane and Martian target need two hits; while the central Martian demands three hits (adjustable based on difficulty settings). Each defeated Martian awards 1.5 million points. Completing orbits triggers keg explosions worth 4 million points apiece; destroying the center keg via a right ramp shot awards 6 million points. Blowing up all three kegs immediately ends the mode, which can prevent achieving a Flawless rating unless all Martians are already eliminated. Destroying all five Martians results in a Flawless rating and lighting a Saucer light.
- Secret Weapon — This mode depicts hand-to-hand combat between A.B.E (the Advanced Battle Emancipator—a giant robotic Abraham Lincoln) and a Big-O-Martian opponent. The Martian's health bar decreases with each successful hit. Once depleted, a "Finish him!" prompt appears, requiring one final shot that sends the Martian crashing into the saucer, triggering an explosive conclusion.
Saucer
- Tower Struggle — Four Martians engage in a Tug-of-War using the Leaning Tower of Pisa. Target the left and right ramps to eliminate saucers with a single shot each, along with the two Martians positioned on the lock shot and the top Martian light. The tower's "life bar" diminishes with each hit on the Center Target Bank; sufficient hits will raise the ramp and conclude the mode. Taking out all Martians and saucers triggers an immediate lift of the center Mini ramp, allowing one final shot to complete the mode. Achieving a Flawless rating requires destroying all four Martians.
- Mystery Mode (?) — Randomly activates one of four distinct challenges:
- Martian Aerobics — A homage to Space Invaders. Shooting launches missiles targeting 24 moving Martians. Occasionally, a large saucer appears that can be shot, though its effect on completing the mode is uncertain. Successfully eliminating all 24 Martians before they descend to the bottom ends the mode and lights a saucer indicator.
- Martian Bowling — Ten Martians traverse the playfield. Players use action buttons to aim, with the pinball acting as a bowling ball to knock down these Martian pins.
- Martian Autopsy — A hurry-up timer begins on the center shot starting at 3 million points. The accumulated value applies to each object collected during this mode. Gathering 10 objects awards a Flawless rating along with a Saucer Light.
- Martian Tank — The most challenging mode featuring a moving tank carrying two Martians. Both Martians must be destroyed by precisely timed shots on the ramps, followed by destroying the tank itself to earn a Flawless rating.
- Drive-In Demolition — Inspired by "Move Your Car" from Creature from the Black Lagoon. Martians obstruct the screen while every shot inflicts damage tracked by a power bar. Filling this meter completely grants a saucer light.
Weapons
- Paris in Peril — Commences with a flying saucer hovering above the Eiffel Tower. A centrally located catapult launches various objects (watermelons, spiked balls, cows) at the saucer. Hitting center targets activates the catapult, with each hit dealing 13% damage (adjustable by operator up to 25%). Missile lanes deliver 25% damage per successful hit. After one hit, four Martians parachute onto ramps and targets; each requires one hit and rewards between 1 million and 5 million points. Destroying all four grants a Flawless rating. The mode concludes after eight hits (operator adjustable), raising the center Mini Ramp for a final shot that destroys the saucer and adds points.
- Big-O-Beam — Set on a farm with oversized animals and a saucer hovering above a barn. Center targets raise the barn structure to damage the saucer, awarding 2 million points per hit. Ramps and orbits shrink large animals (cow, duck, pig, chicken), each worth 4 million points and granting missiles. A life bar above tracks saucer damage; depleting it raises and lights the center mini ramp for completion. Alternatively, shrinking all animals also raises this ramp, allowing completion without fully draining the life bar. This high-scoring mode is well-suited for early gameplay.
- Mars Kneads Women — Features six TV screens adjustable via Action Buttons. Left TVs are accessed by hitting loops or combinations of left and middle ramps; right TVs are similarly reached on their side. Shooting either left or right ramps raises the center ramp for viewing shots. Orbits begin shows immediately without returning ball play until completion or cancellation (by pressing all four buttons). Center targets activate two center TVs accessible through center ramp shots. After viewing both center TVs, one additional center ramp shot destroys the console for 2 to 5 million points based on how many TVs were watched. When ready to end, the screen prompts "Destroy the Console"—watching all six stations before destruction results in a Flawless rating.
Multiball modes
Revenge from Mars offers six distinct multiball experiences:
- Martian Attack Multiball (2 balls)
- Multiball (3 balls)
- Bonus Wave Multiball (4 balls, involving Fuel, Saucer, and Weapons)
- Mothership Multiball (4 balls)
- Martian Hypno-Beam (an extendable 2-ball mode)
- Attack Mars (Wizard Mode featuring 4 balls)
Almost two decades after its initial launch, fan-made modifications have broadened these modes and unlocked previously unused audio and visual elements embedded in the original ROM files.
Software upgrades
Players can update the game software through a serial interface connected to a PC using the Pinball 2000 updater tool. These updates provide gameplay improvements and bug fixes, accessible via http://www.planetarypinball.com/.
Reception
By 2008, a lone Revenge from Mars unit reportedly generated $41,900 in revenue at a single location, underscoring its commercial success.
External links
- Official rule sheet for Revenge from Mars
- Current auction pricing for Revenge from Mars
- The creation of Revenge from Mars is documented in the film Tilt: The Battle to Save Pinball (official website)