 |  | Critics Corner by Roger C. Sharpe |
It's almost fitting that this is the lead-off machine for this month's reviews, since almost everyone has been waiting to see what this company would do with a wide-body game. And here it is, Gottlieb's first. PLAYFIELD: The action begins with 4 top lanes (A-B-C-D) which are just off of center at the right. This leads down to 2 thumper bumpers and a right side kick-out hole (which also controls countdowning bonus) as well as a sliced lane that leads back down to the plunger. Below this level, also to the center and right of center is a 4 drop target bank which controls bonus multiplier values, a center slightly angled spinner (Gottlieb's own wide variety), a target just to the left and 2 side targets at the right. Taking a more moderate interpretation of Atari's Middle Earth 2 playfields in 1 concept, Genie also offers yet another level in design. Move over to the left side, and at the top is a 7 drop target bank (4 red and 3 white), an access wire to the right of this for getting back to those lanes, an opening from the left thumper bumper, a left side target that controls extra ball value and 3 star rollover buttons along with 2 smaller flippers for some extra play, and a left side rollover lane down to a repeat performance of the A-B-C-D lanes. Below this is yet another thumper bumper before one gets to the maze of lanes and openings for the 3 flipper, 2 kickers, a right side 2 lane and post and a left side short lane and post set up bottom. ANALYSIS: What can one say except there's a helluva lot going on in Genie. It is a well designed and thought out playfield that offers numerous shot possibilities and fine play from all of the 5 flippers. One problem encountered has been the strength of the small top flippers and even flipper-tip strength, but the game plays and plays with adjustments from the player. The bonus multiplier value pops up almost randomly with a yellow light just in front-of the lower drop target bank, and all that's needed is to get down at least 1 target to gain the multiple before the light goes off. The top targets will reset once all the reds or whites are hit and then reset with a value of 5000 points for each and an extra ball popping up from the target at the right side, if memory serves correct. Get the lanes out and there's also a lit target for the extra ball and get everything and the right side special light comes alive. Points and play abound by going for the center spinner for action back to the top and some good nudging. And once the bonus gets to the 20,000 point level, it's collect time if you can get to that top right kick-out hole. It is a remarkable game, a great wide-body and one of the stronger efforts from Gottlieb in recent vintage. Some feel the play may be too slow and have tried to jack the back legs up, but this is ineffective and really takes away from an excellent piece of workmanship that makes Genie one of the more memorable wide-body games, with its reverses off the flippers and good long shots from side to side. GRAPHICS: The magician/wizard weaves a spell for a couple of "genies" that might make Barbara Eden try for a comeback in a very visual treatment that uses some softer shades and a blending of tones in oranges, yellows, blues and greens. Along with these typically Gottlieb graphics is a sound system that is pretty much tied into the theme depending upon how you set it since I�ve run across 2 variations on the sound. (In fact, as an aside for those not necessarily enthralled with the music mode of Totem, you can change it to a second striking sound system that may breathe new life into the game � check your distributor or instruction booklet inside the game. PLAY: 3-ball seems to be the choice with Genie and the play can sustain higher than normal limits due to the scoring potential and length of time a normal game takes. In extra ball areas try a 220,000 start followed by 440,000 and 660,000 points. On free play you might want to raise these levels by about 100,000 points each � depending once again, on the caliber of your players. RATING: # # # # |
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