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Jurassic Park (pinball)

There have been four pinball adaptations of the film Jurassic Park franchise: a physical table released by Data East the same year the film came out, Sega's 1997 The Lost World which is based on the second movie of the series, a virtual table developed by Zen Studios on the franchise's 25th anniversary and a new physical table released by Stern Pinball a year after. All four tables behave differently.

Original Data East version

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Jurassic Park
ManufacturerData East
Release dateJune 1993
SystemData East Version 3
DesignEd Cebula
Neil Falconer
Joe Kaminkow
ProgrammingNeil Falconer
ArtworkMarkus Rothkranz
MusicBrian Schmidt, John Williams
SoundBrian Schmidt
Production run9008[1]

Gameplay

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There are 11 gameplay modes, called "Computer Screens". They are started by shooting the right scoop, called "Control Room", when it is lit. These modes are stackable (i.e., one mode can be running while another mode is in progress). The Control Room is briefly lit by the right ramp or either inlane, and is permanently lit by shooting the Power Shed (the right scoop) on the upper-right side of the playfield.

Completing all Computer Screen modes lights the Control Room for System Failure, a six-ball "wizard mode" where all shots on the playfield are worth one million points. It lasts for 45 seconds.

Zen Studios

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In the late 2010s, two additional pinball adaptations of the film were released. The second pinball adaptation of Jurassic Park is a virtual table developed by Zen Studios as one of three tables in the Jurassic Park pinball pack, designed to celebrate the franchise's 25th anniversary, which is an add-on for Pinball FX 3 that was released on February 20, 2018.[2]

In addition to developing a digital pinball adaptation of the film, Zen Studios also developed another pinball table that reflects on its aftermath, titled Jurassic Park: Pinball Mayhem, which is also one of the three tables in the aforementioned Jurassic Park pinball pack[3], with a table based on Jurassic World completing the pack.

All 3 of these tables were remastered for Pinball FX, with full release on February 16, 2023.[4]

Stern Pinball release

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Jurassic Park
ManufacturerStern Pinball
Release dateSeptember 2019
DesignKeith Elwin
ProgrammingRick Naegele
ArtworkJonathan Bergeron
MusicJerry Thompson
John Williams
SoundJerry Thompson

Stern Pinball released a third pinball adaptation of the film in 2019.[5]

Upon launch, Stern created three versions: Pro, Premium and Limited Edition. All models feature a unique spinning kinetic newton ball Jungle Explorer Vehicle, three flippers, four ramps and a custom T-Rex sculpt. Premium and Limited Edition models feature a motorized animatronic ball-eating, ball-throwing, T-Rex mechanism and an interactive Raptor Pen ball lock mechanism. The game features the John Williams Jurassic Park score.

The Limited Edition model is limited to 500 units and features a numbered plaque, custom-themed backglass, cabinet artwork and art blades as well as a shaker motor and anti-reflection glass.[6]

Samples of Wayne Knight's voice featured in the original motion picture is sampled in the game.

In August 2023, Stern announced a new limited edition version of the game called Jurassic Park 30th anniversary. This version is limited to 500 units featuring a brand-new exterior art package, full-color mirrored backglass, “Illusion Copper” powder-coated pinball armor, a custom designer-autographed bottom arch, inside art blades, upgraded audio system, anti-reflection pinball playfield glass, shaker motor, a sequentially numbered plaque, and a Certificate of Authenticity. Stern also updated the software for all previous versions adding multiple features including Co-Op Play mode, Team Play mode as well as new refinements and voices.[7]

Game overview and objectives

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Dennis Nedry's computer virus continues to send Jurassic Park into chaos. The dinosaurs are loose on the island and the employees are in danger. The player has to rescue the staff and capture the dinosaurs and eventually stage an escape.[8]

Skill shots and multiball

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There are various skill shots and multiballs throughout the game. The skill shot on Jurassic Park is a combo sequence: following a full plunge, the left ramp must first be shot, then the right ramp, then the side ramp, then the right orbit. Each shot in the sequence awards 2x, 4x and 6x the base value. There are also secret skill shots and the MXV skill shot.

There are three different multiballs: CHAOS multiball, Raptor Tri-Ball and King of the Island multiball.

Mini wizard modes

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Three mini-wizard modes exist - one for making it to the end of the map, one for playing all Control Room modes, and one for playing all T. Rex modes. Playing all three of these modes is a requirement to unlock Escape Nublar.

Escape Nublar wizard mode

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Upon completion of all three mini-wizard modes, Escape Nublar Wizard begins. The goal of Escape Nublar is to navigate back through the paddocks to the main gate and helipad while rescuing any remaining staff and dinosaurs before the volcano erupts. This is a single-ball wizard mode where you have three “balls” (trucks) to complete the mode. Each Paddock consists of two phases: Rescue Phase and Navigate Phase.

When Dinosaurs Ruled the Earth wizard mode

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A super wizard mode, available at the left ramp after completing "Escape Nublar". It's a timed 6-ball multiball.

Stern accessories

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Stern offered accessories for Jurassic Park as well:[9]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Internet Pinball Machine Database: Data East 'Jurassic Park'".
  2. ^ Good, Owen (7 February 2018). "Jurassic Park comes to Zen Pinball with three tables in February". Polygon. Retrieved 7 November 2019.
  3. ^ McLovin (20 February 2018). "Welcome to Jurassic World Pinball™!". Zen Studios. Archived from the original on 9 November 2020. Retrieved 9 February 2020.
  4. ^ "Pinball FX: Jurassic World️ Pinball". Kotaku. Retrieved 2025-01-06.
  5. ^ Sheridan, Wade (26 July 2019). "Stern releases 'Jurassic Park' pinball machine". Retrieved 7 November 2019.
  6. ^ https://sternpinball.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/Jurassic-Park-Feature-Matrix.pdf [bare URL PDF]
  7. ^ "Jurassic Park 30th Anniversary: Updated". 16 August 2023.
  8. ^ "Stern Jurassic Park Rulesheet". 22 January 2022.
  9. ^ "Jurassic Park Accessories".
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