|
Who fixes my machines when I can't
Great Pinball Links
|
Williams Grand PrixThis was our first pin. We bought it from Dr. Scott in Maumee, Ohio. When we first began to put the addition on our house, we thought that we might be able to get one pin for the new room. I began researching them on the web and found several that I liked. The Grand Prix was a machine I had played at the University of Toledo's Pizza Hut in the student union and liked back then because of the spinners. The kids and I took a trip into Dr. Scott's to see what he had. This Grand Prix sat next to a Bally Monte Carlo that was being refurbished. The Monte Carlo was neat but the Grand Prix was clean and looked great. We loved it and I went back the next day to put half down and Scott could store it until we were ready sometime in October when the addition was done. Fortunately I called Scott back in September because the reserve card had slipped from the machine and he didn't know why it was in storage. The pin was delivered and set-up in October 2002.
The backglass of the machine is in great shape and the playfield only has a few small worn spots at the kick-out landing points. The cabinet is in great shape except some typical flaking around the backbox frame. I've modified the machine only slightly and not permanently. Karen complained that the chimes were too loud. I stuffed the chime box with some insulation sealed in a plastic bag that helped to keep the resonance down. I also closed the corner gap in the rails that separate the inner and outer out-lanes using some thin gage wire. This made catching the ball an easier task for everyone and doesn't interfere with integrity of the game. We have the free balls set up relatively low so that everyone can have fun. Free balls are awarded at 200,000, 330,000, 480,000, 660,000 and 950,000 points.
Strategy Game play is pretty simple, but it offers two main strategies to get top scores. In either approach you need to get advance bonus, either by landing in the top kick-out hole, rebounding off of either side bumper rail or most easily by shooting the ball up the spinner lanes. Outhole bonus collects only on the side for which the arrow is lit. The arrow alternates after every ball, so if you get a full rack of bonus on the non-lit side you want to try to collect it in that side's collect bonus kick-out hole before you drain. Bonus can be doubled by lighting the first star if you knock down either the A & B targets at the top of the playfield or the C & D targets in the center middle. Never shoot at the right target from the right side or left from the left unless you want a quick drain. Lighting additional stars will light various "Specials". Getting a full rack of 50,000 bonus also lights the spinner of the corresponding side for a value of 1000 for each revolution which can boost your score quickly. The two strategies involve whether you first shoot for bonus or for targets. Personally, I go for targets to attempt to double any bonus score I have. However, most opponents think that this is silly since doubling a single bonus of 5,000 points doesn't get you much. It seems to work for me since I hold the top score on the machine at over 2,100,000 points! Game Rating I'm glad we picked this game up. It was a great game for a starter and the entire family loves it. My brother Greg is addicted to the spinners. I wish it would have been designed with a right ball save gate and maybe a triple bonus for making additional stars, but even without it, the game is a keeper. I'd give it an 8 out of 10.
| ||||||
