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You don't have to be a wizard to play the latest pinball. This is a simulation of the classic pre-electronic arcade game known to millions. I dimly remember spending my school lunch hours battling forth, pitting my wits against the machine. The ring of bells and beep of buzzers...oh memories! Since then I've grown old on Bar Billiards, then Space Invaders, and lately the dreaded adventure game - but mention pinball and my eyes mist over.

If you don't remember pinball or if you're of the Space Invader generation, then here's the problem. A silver ball bounces its way around obstacles on the top of a tilted table. Using two flippers, you have to stop the silver ball falling out of play at the bottom of the table.

By skilfully controlling them you can guide it towards the high-scoring areas. Lights, buzzers and bells show when and where the points are made.

This program has excellent graphics that bring the alive the thrill of the game. The ball moves realistically from buffer to buffer with that element of randomness always present in the original machines. Unfortunately, the sounds don't reflect the true pinball. I suppose that is the price of progress.

Gone are the solenoids and bells, buzzers and bumpers, and in return we have electronic noise.

My great enthusiasm for this game was slightly marred by the apparent slowness of its response. However, I feel that the computer is truly reflecting the pinball machine.

I regret to say that the first pinball was slow compared to our electronic entertainers. I guess it must have been the endurance of our concentration over spans of inactive observation that made it a challenge. There's no tilt to the game, so key-bashing won't be penalised.

There's no need for joysticks but it would've been better if the two fire buttons were used to operate the flippers. Generally this is a good game, certainly different from the usual arcade action. Disappointing to my sensitive memories, but entertaining all the same.

John Woollard