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Time Scanner is a conversion of an obscure Sega coin-op, where you must clear four pinball tables to escape a mysterious time warp (great plot innit?!). Each table is split into two screens and in addition to the obvious flippers, you can also tilt the table as much as you want to affect the path of the ball. The first three tables are linked by 'time tunnels', so you can move between these tables as you want. The fourth table, however, is only accessed once you've completed the first three.

The tables are Volcano, Ruins, Saqqarah (Egyptian) and Special. Unsurprisingly each requires you bash the balls into various targets. Thankfully the two screens which make up each table are fairly well separated with barriers, so you're not constantly flicking between them. When you've lost all your balls you can continue play indefinitely, but can't enter a high score in that case. There's also a two player option.

Being pinball, Time Scanner is instantly playable, and the urge to see the final table is compelling - even with infinite lives it takes quite a lot of time to complete.

It's a pity then, that there's no end screen and that the pinball movement is dodgy.

What I really like about Time Scanner are the double-screen tables - this technique allows for far more graphical detail than the usual single-screen tables which are fiddly to play on and a strain on the eyes.

Also each of the tables plays differently and offer a substantial challenge. But after completing in a day, with the continue-play option, I haven't honestly been tempted to have another go.

Presentation 65%
Decent title sequence, but the instructions are brief to say the least.

Graphics 61%
Jittery ball movement, but attractive backgrounds.

Sound 62%
A different tune for each table.

Hookability 73%
All pinball games are instantly playable.

Lastability 68%
Even when completed, the high score objective remains.

Overall 65%
A very playable pinball game, although it would have benefitted from having a few more features and maybe even an extra couple of tables.