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Twilight Zone


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Twilight Zone / IPD No. 2684 / April 05, 1993 / 4 Players
 
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Average Fun Rating: [ 8 stars - Click for comments ]    8.4/10  (765 ratings/507 comments)        [ Add Your Rating! ]
Manufacturer: Midway Manufacturing Company, a subsidiary of WMS Industries, Incorporated,
of Chicago, Illinois, USA (1988-1999) [Trade Name: Bally]
Date Of Manufacture: April 05, 1993
Model Number: 50020
Common Abbreviations: TZ
MPU: Williams WPC (Fliptronics 2)
Type: Solid State Electronic (SS) [?]
Production: 15,235 units   (confirmed)
Serial Number Database:View at The Internet Pinball Serial Number Database (IPSND.net)  (External site)
Theme: Adventure - Supernatural - Licensed Theme
Specialty: Widebody [?]
Notable Features: Flippers (4), Pop bumpers (3), Ramps (2), Dual left inlanes, "Rocket" kicker. Dual autoplunger/manual plunger arrangement. Maximum 1 buy-in ball per player (operator option).

Magnets on the main playfield are situated on the looping lane and catch the ball to aid in hitting shots into the camera and piano. They are not under player control.

Magnets on the mini-playfield 'flip' the ball during "Battle the Power" mode when the player presses the flipper buttons.

The "Powerball" is a ceramic pinball about 20% lighter than a steel pinball, much faster, and not affected by the game's magnets.

Five possible multiball modes:
"Powerball Mania", 3-ball;
"Fast Lock", 3-ball;
"Lost in the Zone", 6-ball wizard mode;
"Regular Multiball", 3-ball sequential release, without 3rd magnet installed;
"Regular Multiball", 3-ball simultaneous release, with 3rd magnet installed.

Toys: Mini playfield that uses magnets for flipper-like action; Real working gumball machine on playfield that dispenses pinballs; Working analog clock; tells time in attract mode, times most modes during game play.
Concept by: Pat Lawlor
Design by: Pat Lawlor, Larry DeMar, Ted Estes
Art by: John Youssi
Dots/Animation by: Scott Slomiany, Eugene Geer
Mechanics by: John Krutsch
Music by: Chris Granner
Sound by: Chris Granner, Rich Karstens
Software by: Larry DeMar, Ted Estes
Notes: This game was part of Williams/Midway's "SuperPin" line of widebody games.

Voice-over artist Tim Kitzrow provided the voice of Rod Serling.

Rod Serling's likeness had to be licensed separately from the "Twilight Zone" name.

Retrofit instructions for third playfield magnet (removed in production games) available
here.

An article by Ted Estes about designing Twilight Zone is available at
GameRoom Magazine.

Another article shows differences between prototype and production games. Here is an Italian language translation.

Twilight Zone was originally to be the first game to use Williams' then-new DCS Sound System (which would actually be introduced for Williams' 1993 'Indiana Jones: The Pinball Adventure'), but due to time constraints concerning the production of the DCS board, the music was recomposed for the Yamaha YM2151/Harris CVSD audio board. It is also therefore the last game to use that audio board.

We asked Chris Granner to tell us about the music for this game. He replies:

The main play tune for TZ is a WPC (synthesized) version of the loooonnnng guitar solo section from Golden Earring's "Twilight Zone". The Jackpot tune is a WPC version of the CHORUS of that song, where you hear the main melody of the song. There are snippets and takeoffs from dozens of TV show moments, way too many to list. The actual AUDIO from either of these sources is NOT reproduced in TZ pinball.

In this listing is an image of a playfield under blacklighting, revealing a serial number. We asked Pat Lawlor why the manufacturer did this. He replies:

The reason for the serial numbers seems strange by today's standards. In 1992, Williams' agreement with its distributors gave them exclusive sales right to a territory. They did not have the right to sell outside of their territory. But some were doing just that. In order to track the game's origin from a distributor into the wild, the blacklight number was added. Williams knew where the game was originally shipped. If the game turned up outside of that territory, it was assumed that the distributor had "Bootlegged" the game outside of his territory. Then it was up to management to decide what penalty to incur on the offender. Remember, this was during a time when it was PROFITABLE to sell and operate pinball machines. This practice would be laughable today because ANY sale of a pinball machine is a good sale.

Marketing Slogans: "Twilight Zone includes more features with patents pending than any other game in history!"
"Enter Into a New Age of Pinball"
"The Profit Zone. (with PlayMeter and Replay ratings)"
"You have just crossed over... into the Twilight Zone"
Photos in: Arcade TreasuresExternal Link, page 132
The Complete Pinball BookExternal Link, pages 238-239
The Pinball Compendium 1982 to PresentExternal Link, page 171
Mike Pacak's Pinball Flyer Reference Book S-Z
Rule Sheets: Twilight Zone Rulesheet, by Bowen Kerins  
Twilight Zone Episode Tie-Ins, by Brian A. Rudolph  
Twilight Zone Guide (Apr/18/94), by Sigma  
Owners List URL:http://www.pinballowners.com/owners/2684  (External site)
Easter Eggs:Available at Cows and Easter Eggs  (External site)
Additional Media:Promotional Video (at YouTube)  (External site)
ROMs: 301 KB ZIP Revision 9.0 Game ROM (PAPA Tournament Version) [Williams Electronic Games, Inc.]
  365 KB ZIP Revision 9.2 Game ROM [Williams Electronic Games, Inc.]
  372 KB ZIP Revision 9.4H Game ROM (home version) [Williams Electronic Games, Inc.]
  347 KB ZIP Revision H-8 Game ROM [Williams Electronic Games, Inc.]
  163 KB ZIP Revision L-1 Sound ROM U14 [Williams Electronic Games, Inc.]
  497 KB ZIP Revision L-1 Sound ROM U15 [Williams Electronic Games, Inc.]
  493 KB ZIP Revision L-1 Sound ROM U18 [Williams Electronic Games, Inc.]
  341 KB ZIP Revision L-2 Game ROM [Williams Electronic Games, Inc.]
  1 MB ZIP Revision L-2 Sound ROMs [Williams Electronic Games, Inc.]
  343 KB ZIP Revision L-3 Game ROM [Williams Electronic Games, Inc.]
  343 KB ZIP Revision L-4 Game ROM [Williams Electronic Games, Inc.]
  291 KB ZIP Revision L-5 Game ROM [Williams Electronic Games, Inc.]
  330 KB ZIP Revision P-3 Game ROM (Prototype) [Williams Electronic Games, Inc.]
  163 KB ZIP Revision P-3 Sound ROM U14 [Williams Electronic Games, Inc.]
  497 KB ZIP Revision P-3 Sound ROM U15 [Williams Electronic Games, Inc.]
  494 KB ZIP Revision P-3 Sound ROM U18 [Williams Electronic Games, Inc.]
  340 KB ZIP Revision P-4 Game ROM (Prototype) [Williams Electronic Games, Inc.]
Documentation: 2 MB PDF Einstell- und Bedienungs-Anleitung (German Manual, OCR durchsuchbar) [NOVA Apparate GMBH & Co.]
  64 KB PDF Instruction and Pricing Cards
  303 KB PDF Manual Amendment (16-50020-AMD-1) [Midway Mfg. Co.]
  52 KB PDF Manual Amendment (software revision 9.4H) [Unofficial user contribution]
  6 MB PDF Operations Manual (OCR searchable) [Midway Mfg. Co.]
  563 KB PDF Operator Handbook [Midway Mfg. Co.]
  949 KB PDF Spanish Manual (translated by Sente) [Midway Mfg. Co.]
  203 KB TXT TZ_parts.txt [www.pinlist.org/parts]
  2 MB PDF WPC Schematic Manual (Revised May 17, 1993) [Williams Electronic Games Inc.]
Multimedia Files: 3 MB MPG Bang-Back video
  2 MB MP3 Main Play Tune [Chris Granner]
  408 KB MP3 Pat Lawlor discussing Twilight Zone (Audio)
  322 KB MP3 Shooter Tune [Chris Granner]
Files: 2 MB PDF Anleitung fur den Ausnau von wichtigen Teilen zu Reparaturzwecken (German Addend
  212 KB AVI Another BangBack video. [Damien D.]
  59 KB PDF Bumper Caps Order [Enver Haase]
  412 KB ZIP Various Card Scans
Images:
(click to zoom)
Image # 2546: Twilight Zone Translite
Translite

1152x785
 
Image # 2547: Twilight Zone Flyer
Flyer

790x509
 
Image # 3186: Twilight Zone Playfield 
(Note that the pop bumper caps do not match those shown in the flyer and do not match those awarded via the skill shots.)
Playfield*

361x420
[Todd George]
Image # 3187: Twilight Zone Power Playfield
Power Playfield

319x464
[Todd George]
Image # 3188: Twilight Zone Backglass (Better Color Quality)
Backglass (Better Color Quality)

800x543
[Todd George]
Image # 3202: Twilight Zone from WMS Mfg. 
(1 of 2 original design prototypes built directly from the whiteboard design. It is believed the picture of this prototype is from the game that stood in Ted Estes' office during the software design phase of development. Note that the bumper cap colors shown in this picture match the skill shot awards.)
Original Prototype Playfield
from WMS Mfg.*

561x834
[Hans Balk]
Image # 3791: Twilight Zone Promo Coaster 1
Promo Coaster 1

315x332
 
Image # 3792: Twilight Zone Promo Coaster 2
Promo Coaster 2

315x332
 
Image # 3795: Twilight Zone German Flyer - Front
German Flyer - Front

236x335
 
Image # 3796: Twilight Zone German Flyer - Back
German Flyer - Back

234x332
 
Image # 3797: Twilight Zone Promo Key Fob
Promo Key Fob

170x175
 
Image # 3798: Twilight Zone Promo Key Fob
Promo Key Fob

170x175
 
Image # 3799: Twilight Zone Promo Key Fob
Promo Key Fob

170x175
 
Image # 4124: Twilight Zone Flyer, Front
Flyer, Front

887x1153
 
Image # 4125: Twilight Zone Flyer, Page 2
Flyer, Page 2

887x1153
 
Image # 4126: Twilight Zone Flyer, Page 3
Flyer, Page 3

887x1153
 
Image # 4127: Twilight Zone Flyer, Back
Flyer, Back

887x1153
 
Image # 5276: Twilight Zone Cabinet - Front View
Cabinet - Front View

640x853
[Jeff Ball]
Image # 5277: Twilight Zone Playfield Piano Entrance
Playfield Piano Entrance

640x480
[Jeff Ball]
Image # 5278: Twilight Zone Left Upper Flipper
Left Upper Flipper

640x480
[Jeff Ball]
Image # 5279: Twilight Zone Close up Mini-Playfield
Close up Mini-Playfield

640x853
[Jeff Ball]
Image # 5280: Twilight Zone Slot Machine
Slot Machine

640x480
[Jeff Ball]
Image # 5281: Twilight Zone Lower Playfield
Lower Playfield

640x480
[Jeff Ball]
Image # 5282: Twilight Zone Ball View
Ball View

640x480
[Jeff Ball]
Image # 5283: Twilight Zone Gumball Machine
Gumball Machine

640x480
[Jeff Ball]
Image # 5621: Twilight Zone Backglass Sketch
Backglass Sketch

800x630
[Jim Hicks]
Image # 8839: Twilight Zone Cabinet - Full View 
(Note that machine has a red shooter instead of the normal black shooter.)
Cabinet - Full View*

546x682
[Allen Shope]
Image # 8840: Twilight Zone Cabinet - Left
Cabinet - Left

480x480
[Allen Shope]
Image # 8841: Twilight Zone Cabinet - Right
Cabinet - Right

464x474
[Allen Shope]
Image # 8843: Twilight Zone Backbox
Backbox

491x470
[Allen Shope]
Image # 8845: Twilight Zone Playfield Slot Machine Entrance
Playfield Slot Machine Entrance

500x375
[Allen Shope]
Image # 8847: Twilight Zone Playfield - Detail
Playfield - Detail

350x467
[Allen Shope]
Image # 8848: Twilight Zone Playfield - Detail
Playfield - Detail

350x467
[Allen Shope]
Image # 8849: Twilight Zone Playfield - Detail
Playfield - Detail

350x467
[Allen Shope]
Image # 9847: Twilight Zone Blank Playfield
Blank Playfield

1024x1786
[Christopher Wolf]
Image # 26192: Twilight Zone Inside Backbox
Inside Backbox

640x480
[John Gray]
Image # 26193: Twilight Zone Under Lower Playfield
Under Lower Playfield

480x640
[John Gray]
Image # 26194: Twilight Zone Under Upper Playfield
Under Upper Playfield

480x640
[John Gray]
Image # 27902: Twilight Zone Powerball
Powerball

1024x768
[Nick Spiertz]
Image # 37887: Twilight Zone Main Playfield Beneath Mini Playfield
Main Playfield Beneath Mini Playfield

1024x768
[Claus Barlose]
Image # 37888: Twilight Zone Main Playfield Beneath Mini Playfield
Main Playfield Beneath Mini Playfield

1024x768
[Claus Barlose]
Image # 38778: Twilight Zone Illuminated Sample Lower Playfield 
(Serial number 52920951930. Date of manufacture: 4/7/93.)
Illuminated Sample Lower Playfield*

1024x768
[Mark Clayton]
Image # 41425: Twilight Zone Cabinet - Front
Cabinet - Front

640x480
[Brian Lee]
Image # 41937: Twilight Zone Lower Playfield - Downfield View
Lower Playfield - Downfield View

1200x900
[Marco Del Ry]
Image # 47195: Twilight Zone Prototype Game - Playfield 
(Serial number X970000.)
Prototype Game - Playfield*

1200x1600
[Jonathan Farris]
Image # 49935: Twilight Zone Playfield Serial Number 
(This number appears only under blacklight. Serial number 202782.)
Playfield Serial Number*

800x600
 
Image # 51439: Twilight Zone Early Production Clock 
(This white clockface was used on the first 2000-3000 games produced. It replaced the prototype clock face that showed a six-color pie chart instead of this numbered dial.)
Early Production Clock*

1200x1175
[Miklos Szebenyi]
Image # 54891: Twilight Zone Stripped Playfield
Stripped Playfield

503x1024
[Jean-Pierre Renault]
Image # 58974: Twilight Zone Illuminated Clock
Illuminated Clock

1200x900
[Alexander Moebius]
Image # 58975: Twilight Zone Playfield - Detail
Playfield - Detail

1200x900
[Alexander Moebius]
Image # 58976: Twilight Zone Playfield - Detail
Playfield - Detail

1200x900
[Alexander Moebius]
Image # 58977: Twilight Zone Playfield - Detail
Playfield - Detail

1200x900
[Alexander Moebius]
Image # 63043: Twilight Zone Translite
Translite

1200x838
[Duncan Brown]
Image # 64079: Twilight Zone Backbox - Right
Backbox - Right

636x1600
[Jean-Pierre Renault]
Image # 64080: Twilight Zone Cabinet - Front View
Cabinet - Front View

845x1600
[Jean-Pierre Renault]
Image # 76026: Twilight Zone Flyer - Inside Fold 
(Pages 2 and 3.)
Flyer - Inside Fold*

1200x780
 
Image # 79583: Twilight Zone Prototype Game - Mini Playfield
Prototype Game - Mini Playfield

568x1200
[Yannick Grampp]
Image # 79584: Twilight Zone Prototype Game - Mini Playfield Bracket
Prototype Game - Mini Playfield Bracket

1200x568
[Yannick Grampp]
Image # 79585: Twilight Zone Prototype Game - Ramp Switch Cover
Prototype Game - Ramp Switch Cover

1200x568
[Yannick Grampp]
Image # 79586: Twilight Zone Prototype Game - Third Magnet
Prototype Game - Third Magnet

568x1200
[Yannick Grampp]
Image # 79587: Twilight Zone Prototype Game - Plastic
Prototype Game - Plastic

568x1200
[Yannick Grampp]
Image # 79588: Twilight Zone Prototype Game - Gumball Plastic With Sticker
Prototype Game - Gumball Plastic With Sticker

1200x568
[Yannick Grampp]
Image # 79589: Twilight Zone Prototype Game - Second Opto
Prototype Game - Second Opto

1200x568
[Yannick Grampp]
Image # 79590: Twilight Zone Prototype Game - Under Playfield
Prototype Game - Under Playfield

568x1200
[Yannick Grampp]
Image # 79591: Twilight Zone Prototype Game - Lamp Holder
Prototype Game - Lamp Holder

1200x568
[Yannick Grampp]
Image # 79592: Twilight Zone Prototype Game - Lamp Holder
Prototype Game - Lamp Holder

1200x568
[Yannick Grampp]
Image # 80644: Twilight Zone Playfield
Playfield

1200x2113
[Nicholas Roedl]
Image # 80645: Twilight Zone Illuminated Playfield
Illuminated Playfield

1200x2173
[Nicholas Roedl]
 

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