Simpsons Pinball Party

From: "Bowen Kerins" <bowenkerins@attbi.com>

Newsgroups: rec.games.pinball

Subject: Simpsons Pinball Party Rulesheet

Date: Sat, 08 Mar 2003 07:06:07 GMT

Preliminary Rulesheet for Stern's "The Simpsons Pinball Party"

Bowen Kerins (bostonpinball@attbi.com)

last update: March 7, 2003 (ROM version 2.00)

--- Overview ---

The Simpsons Pinball Party is one of the most fun, yet most complicated,

games ever made.  Playing it to have a good time doesn't require too much

effort, since there should always be something to do.  Playing it

strategically takes more effort than almost every other modern pin, but it

sure is worth it.

If you haven't played it yet, why are you reading this?  Go play the game,

already.

--- Help Me! ---

This is a preliminary rules sheet.  Although fairly thorough, it sucks as

far as being complete.  If you know of things that should be here, please

contact me at bostonpinball@attbi.com.  Square brackets [] indicate matrix

concatenation -- no, they mean that it's something I'm not sure of or need

more information.  Please let me know if you have any thoughts.

--- Special Thanks ---

Thanks to Tim Showalter for his ideas on a rule sheet.

--- Playfield and Basic Scoring ---

This section describes, briefly, the location and basic scoring of shots.

See later sections for specifics on mode and multiball scoring.  This is

roughly clockwise, from left to right.

-- First, the main playfield.

- Left inlane / outlane: Standard setup.  Either can be lit for Extra Ball.

  Inlane lights spinner on Right Orbit for extra scoring.

- Lite Otto standup: This target is in roughly the same position as the

  "G-R" standups of Addams Family.  Hit the standup when lit, and Otto's Bus

  Tour will light at Springfield Elementary, activating 2x scoring on a

shot.

- Left (Cletus) Orbit:  Through the bumpers, around the back, feeding the

  upper right flipper.  Adds 1 Cletus Kid.  See "Cletus Kids" section for

more.

- Pop Bumpers: Three, in standard arrangement.  The left pop is standard,

  while the other two have a nuclear cooling tower that "pops", much like

Data

  East's 1990 Simpsons game.  Each pop bumper adds to the Nuclear Value.

- Pop Target: Standup target above the pop bumpers.  This target is

  frequently hit while the ball is bouncing in the pops, and can also be hit

  directly from the upper right flipper.  When the timer is active, the Pop

  Target adds time (2 to 10 seconds, depending on how it was hit).  See "The

  Timer" section for more.  The Pop Target also collects the Nuclear Value

when

  lit, and lights Extra Ball.

- Adv. Pops standup: This target is in roughly the position of the Electric

  Chair shot of Addams Family.  Hit the standup to advance one pop bumper's

  value.  [Still need specific values, believe this goes from 1K to 2.5K to

5K.]

- Comic Book Guy standup: This target is directly behind the Adv. Pops

  standup. It cannot be hit from either lower flipper directly, but can be

shot

  from the upper right flipper or on a plunge.  Starts a Hurry Up when lit.

  Also a Skill Shot.  See "Hurry Ups" and "Skill Shots" sections for more.

- Left (Treehouse) Ramp: Directly above the Comic Book Guy standup.  This

  ramp feeds the upper playfield.  Collects Treehouse of Horror when lit,

and

  adds 1 or 2 Simpsons letters toward D'Oh Frenzy.  See "D'Oh Frenzy" and

  "Treehouse of Horror" sections for more.

- Left (Kwik-E-Mart) Loop: Inner loop above Left Ramp.  Shots through Left

  Loop tend to hit Bully standups.  Kwik-E-Mart collects Kwik-E-Mart value

and

  adds a bonus multiplier.  Also a Skill Shot.  See "Skill Shots" section

for

  more.

- Kwik-E-Mart standup: Guards Left Loop.  Adds small points [random between

  1,000 and 9,990?] to Kwik-E-Mart value.

- Garage: Big door in general vicinity of the Toilet shots of South Park.

  Hit the door and it opens.  Go through the door and over a small ramp to

enter

  the upper playfield.  Shots that are not powerful enough to make it over

  the ramp fall to the bumpers via the Left Orbit.  Collects "Clean the

Garage"

  random award when lit.  Adds 1 Simpsons letter toward D'Oh Frenzy.  See

  "D'Oh Frenzy" and "Clean the Garage" sections for more.

- Right (Springfield Elementary) Loop: Inner loop behind Right Ramp.  Shot

  is straight up the middle and can be made from either lower flipper.

Feeds

  upper right flipper.  Starts Otto's Bus Tour 2x Scoring and advances to

  Chalkboard Award.  See "Double Scoring" and "Chalkboard" sections for

more.

- Bully standups: Three standup targets along the side wall of the Right

  Loop shot.  Difficult to shoot directly, they are made through the Left

Loop.

  Completing the bank lights a Daredevil Mode.  Also a Skill Shot.  See

  "Daredevil Modes" and "Skill Shots" sections for more.

- Right (Moe's) Ramp: Get Duffed.  Lights Treehouse of Horror and Extra

  Ball. See "Treehouse of Horror" and "Extra Balls" sections for more.

- Captive Ball: To right of Right Ramp is a captive ball.  Hitting it a

  short distance starts a Daredevil Mode or advances the value of a

Daredevil

  Mode. See "Daredevil Modes" section for more.

- Right (Krusty) Orbit: Past the upper right flipper, through a spinner, to

  the bumpers.  Spins score increasing points.  Lights TV Mode.  See "TV

  Modes" section for more.

- Itchy & Scratchy Drop Targets: Below the upper right flipper are three

  drop targets.  Behind them is the...

- Itchy & Scratchy Sinkhole: Behind the drop targets.  Lights, then starts,

  an Itchy & Scratchy multiball.  See "Itchy & Scratchy Multiball" section

for

  more.

- Right inlane / outlane / plunger lane: All three connected.  It is

  possible to nudge the ball into the plunger lane for a free Skill Shot.

The

  inlane can be lit for Extra Ball, while the outlane can be lit for

Special.

- Manual plunger: Can be used to try for three skill shots: the Comic Book

  Guy, Kwik-E-Mart, and the Bully standups.  See "Skill Shots" section for

more.

-- And now, the upper playfield...

- "Lite"/"Lock" standups: Hit these to light lock.  Difficulty of lighting

   locks is variable.  See "Couch Multiball" section for more.  These

targets

   can be hit from either upper playfield flipper, though are easier from

the

   lower left flipper.

- Side (Couch) Ramp: Exit upper playfield.  If lock is lit, lock a ball in

  the Couch.  If not, feed to the left inlane.  Can be shot by the upper

  playfield's right flipper, but also possible on a carom from the left.

- Light Mystery standup: Light "Clean the Garage" at the Garage if not

  already lit.

- Upper (TV) Loop: Feeds from lower flipper to upper flipper on playfield.

  Starts TV Mode when lit.  See "TV Modes" section for more.

- Monorail: Drain from upper playfield to right inlane.  Normally not a good

  thing, this is actually a required step in the "Stop the Monorail" TV

  mode. See "TV Modes" section for more.

-- Whew, that's "all".

--- The Timer ---

The timer is your friend.  Don't let the timer run out.

All timed modes in The Simpsons Pinball Party run on the same timer.

Starting a timed mode resets the timer to 30 seconds if it is not already

above 30 seconds.  The timer is displayed on the TV board, and will change

colors as it counts down.  Green is good, yellow not so good, red means

you're running out of time.

What does this one timer to rule them all mean for you?  As long as you

start something else within 30 seconds, you get to continue EVERYTHING you

have started since the timer became active.

This is the most important thing to learn about playing this game

strategically.  There are at least 20 things that can reset the timer, so it

is theoretically possible to have -timed- modes such as the D'Oh Frenzy

running for more than 10 minutes.

The timer stops when the ball is in the bumpers, and time can be restored by

hitting the Pop Target.  Hitting the target after hitting a bumper adds 2

seconds to the timer.  Hitting the target directly from a flipper adds 5

seconds to the timer ("Great googly moogly!").  Hitting the target from the

upper right flipper as a combo shot from the Left Loop adds 10 seconds to

the timer ("Ahoy!").

The timer is reset to 30 seconds if it is not already above 30 seconds when

starting any of these:

- Any of the 10 Otto 2x Scoring modes

- Any of the 7 main TV Modes

- D'Oh Frenzy

- Any Treehouse of Horror timed mode

  - Apu's Giveaway

  - Captain's Bounty

  - Krusty's Nightmare

  - Nuclear Disaster

  - [others?]

The timer is -not- cleared when a TV Mode is completed.  The timer continues

to run no matter what else is going on, including multiballs.

There is a grace period of about 3 seconds on the timer (it will read 00).

Hurry up and shoot something!

Note that at most points in the game you are no more than 2 shots away from

resetting the timer (Lite Otto, then shoot it).  Don't forget about it!

--- Double Scoring ---

Shooting the Right Loop when Otto's Bus Tour is lit starts a double scoring

mode.  The double scoring modes are indicated by red lights at major shots.

A flashing light indicates that the double scoring for that shot is

currently running, while a solid light indicates that the double scoring for

that shot has already completed and will not be available again until all

double scoring modes are completed.

The ten double scoring areas are:

- Bumpers

- Left (Cletus) Orbit

- Left (Treehouse) Ramp

- Left (Kwik-E-Mart) Loop

- Garage

- Right (Springfield Elementary) Loop

- Right (Moe's) Ramp

- Right (Krusty) Orbit

- Itchy & Scratchy

- Living Room (entire upper playfield)

These ten areas are awarded in a random order [or is it?].

Double scoring applies to ALL shots to that area, including shots during TV

Modes and multiballs.

Double scoring modes continue until the timer runs out or the ball ends.

Since the timer can be reset, double scoring modes may run for a very long

time.

When all ten double scoring modes have been completed (and are not running),

the red lights will pulse instead of being solidly lit.  Then, shoot the

Otto shot one more time to start... see "Spoilers" section for more.

--- TV Modes ---

TV Modes are lit after every 4 goals.  No, wait, start over.  TV Modes are

lit by shooting the right orbit.  They are started by making the TV Loop on

the upper playfield, or by an award from "Clean the Garage".  Starting a TV

Mode scores an instant 250,000 points.

There are seven base TV Modes.  Each resets the 30-second timer.  You can

control which TV Mode will be next by flipping the right flipper (!!).

TV Modes remain active until the timer expires, or until all shots in the

mode are completed.  If all shots are completed, the TV Mode ends and

Victory points can be earned.  See "Victory" section for more.

Remember that any shot where "2x Scoring" is flashing will double in value

at any time, including TV Modes.

Here is a description of each of the seven TV Modes.

-- TV Mode: Duffman --

"Duffman likes your attitude!"  Shoot the right ramp to SCORE.  Five shots

to complete, score from 250,000 to 650,000 by increments of 100,000.  "OH

yeah!"

-- TV Mode: Homer's Day --

"Wake me up when it's break time..."  Shoot the Nuclear plant bumpers, then

shoot Moe's, then the Garage, and finally the Couch Ramp.  Nice, huh?  Each

shot scores 500,000.  "Beer.  The cause of, and solution to, all of life's

problems."

-- TV Mode: Wiggum vs. Snake --

"Another dirtbag..."  This "chase" goes across the board.  [Shot specifics?]

Each shot scores 500,000.  Try for shots that have double scoring active...

-- TV Mode: Bart's Day --

"Bite me, Skinner..."  Shoot Springfield Elementary, then the Kwik-E-Mart,

then the Treehouse, then the TV.  Each shot scores 500,000.

-- TV Mode: Krusty's Last Stand --

Shoot the right orbit.  Five [four?] shots to complete.  Score from 200,000

to 600,000 by increments of 100,000.  [I could be wrong.]  "It's a

living..."

-- TV Mode: Stop the Monorail --

In this mode, the ball must travel down the Monorail, the "drain" from the

upper playfield.  This scores 250,000 and lights all major lower playfield

shots for 500,000.  Shoot any shot to relight the Monorail "shot".  Repeat

this three times to complete the mode.  Try for shots that have double

scoring active.  Watch the dot matrix when a main playfield shot is made to

see

what is being used to Stop the Monorail...

-- TV Mode: Willie's Woes --

Hit the Bully standups for 250,000, then Springfield Elementary for

500,000. Repeat three times to complete.  Go Kearney, stomp those flowers...

When all seven TV Modes have ended, either by the timer running out or by

completing them, the TV will be lit for... see "Spoilers" section for more.

--- Victory Points ---

Victory Points, sometimes referred to as "Siegpunkte", are scored when a

major shot is hit while

- the timer is on, and

- at least one TV Mode has been completed during the current run

The number of points scored depends on the number of completed TV Modes:

- 1 completed TV Mode :   100,000 per shot

- 2 completed TV Modes:   250,000 per shot

..

- ? completed TV Modes: 1,250,000 per shot

I am not sure how many completed TV Modes led to 1,250,000 per shot, or

whether this is the maximum.  Whatever -- it's a big bunch of points, and

can be more valuable than a well-played multiball.

Double scoring applies to these points as long as an active shot is hit, so

it is possible to make all major shots worth at least 2 1/2 million points

by skillfully playing TV Modes and starting Otto 2x Scoring.

--- Hurry Ups ---

A Hurry Up is started by shooting the Comic Book Guy ("CBG") at any time

[possibly disabled during multiball].  When a Hurry Up begins, it will light

at one of six major shots:

- Left (Cletus) Orbit

- Left (Treehouse) Ramp

- Left (Kwik-E-Mart) Loop

- Garage

- Right (Moe's) Ramp

- Right (Krusty) Orbit

The Hurry Up value starts at 200,000 and counts down to 50,000.

Hitting the Comic Book Guy again starts a second Hurry Up simultaneously.

When multiple Hurry Ups are active, their value starts much higher [how

much?], but will count down faster.  When multiple Hurry Ups are active,

shooting one collects the value, and adds to the value of the remaining

active Hurry Ups.

Double scoring applies to these points (of course!), so you may score double

the displayed value.

Hitting the Comic Book Guy from a plunger shot is a Skill Shot and starts

two Hurry Ups immediately.

When a Hurry Up has been collected, its light will stay solidly on until all

six Hurry Ups have been collected.  When all have been collected, the lights

will be pulsing rather than solidly lit.  Then, hit the Comic Book Guy one

more time to start... see "Spoilers" section for more.

Don't drain while a Hurry Up is active, or the Comic Book Guy will lambaste

you with his sarcastic "wit".

--- Daredevil Modes ---

A Daredevil Mode is lit by completing the Bully standup bank, and is started

by hitting the Captive Ball.  It is possible to light as many as all four

Daredevil Modes before starting one, and the Captive Ball starts only one at

a time.

The lights in front of the Captive Ball indicate the status of each

Daredevil Mode:

- flashing: lit

- pulsing: currently active

- solid: completed

Each Daredevil Mode accumulates points for a particular type of shot.  These

points are added to end-of-ball bonus.  100,000 points are scored for

starting a Daredevil Mode.  When 750,000 points (or more) have been scored,

a bonus of 250,000 points is added to complete the mode.  All in all, this

is a similar system to World Cup Soccer's Ultra Modes, including the fact

that they do not score until the end of the ball.

Each Daredevil Mode scores on certain shots:

- Daredevil Ramps scores on any ramp, including the Garage mini-ramp and

   the Couch ramp on the upper playfield.

- Daredevil Loops scores on either Orbit, either Loop, and the TV Loop on

   the upper playfield.

- Daredevil Bumpers scores on any bumper or slingshot hit.  Not since Mario

   Andretti have slingshots been worth so many points!

- Daredevil Targets scores on, well, targets.

Hitting the Captive Ball during a Daredevil Mode increases the value of each

shot, allowing the Daredevil Mode to be completed more quickly.

Hitting the strobing Bully standup from a plunger shot (via the Kwik-E-Mart)

is a Skill Shot, scoring an increasing number of points and immediately

lighting a Daredevil Mode at the Captive Ball.

When all four Daredevil Modes have been completed by earning at least 1

million points on each, all four lights in front of the Captive Ball will

pulse.  Then, hit the Captive Ball one more time to start... see "Spoilers"

section for more.

Don't tilt, or you'll lose all your Daredevil points!

--- Itchy & Scratchy Multiball ---

The Itchy & Scratchy 3-bank of targets hides a sinkhole.  To start Itchy &

Scratchy Multiball, you must:

1. Knock down the entire bank of targets once.

2. Shoot the hole.

3. Knock down the entire bank of targets again.

4. Shoot the hole to start the multiball.

The rules are relaxed a bit for the first multiball only.  For the first

multiball you may shoot the hole without completing the bank of targets.

For later multiballs, if you shoot the hole without completing the bank of

targets, you do not get progress toward the multiball, and the targets all

reset.  This is somewhat like the "Danger Bar" in the Last Action Hero game

of yore.

Completing the target bank is worth 75,000 points.

Beginning with the third time through this process, the bank of targets will

reset on its own after a time.  There should be plenty of time to make all

three targets, but they will reset.

The lit Itchy & Scratchy Multiball will change [how? right flipper?], but

all multiballs are similar.  Starting the multiball will turn on a brief

ball saver and fire a ball onto the playfield.  Since Itchy & Scratchy

Multiball can be started while other multiballs are active, there may be

more than two balls in play.

Jackpot starts at 100,000, and all major shots collect it.  Collecting a

Jackpot adds its value to the Super Jackpot, which starts at 500,000 and is

collected by making the Itchy & Scratchy hole.

In each multiball, the Jackpot is raised by something different [need the

info!]:

- Spay Anything: ?

- Kitty Kitty Bang Bang: ?

- Field of Screams: ?

- Esophagus Now: ?

Double scoring applies to these points (of course!), producing Double

Jackpots and Double Super Jackpots (hee-hee!).

When all four Itchy & Scratchy Multiballs have been played, put the ball in

the Itchy & Scratchy hole one more time to start... see "Spoilers" section

for more.

--- Couch Multiball ---

Couch Multiball begins when three balls have been locked in the Couch.

Locks are lit by hitting the "Lite"/"Lock" standup targets, then collected

by shooting the upper playfield's ramp when the Lock light is on.  If the

Lock light is flashing, the next Lock shot starts Couch Multiball.

In single-player games, you get free credit for any balls already in the

Couch when the game begins, making it easier to achieve a multiball.  In

multi-player games, each player's locks are retained independently, so there

is no "stealing" of locks.

Couch Multiball is a three-ball multiball when nothing else is going on, and

triggers a short ball saver.  All major shots are lit.

Most shots score an increasing Jackpot, beginning from 200,000 and

increasing by [10,000? 25,000?] per Jackpot.  The maximum value of the

Jackpot seems to be 500,000.  The Left (Treehouse) Ramp scores a Double

Jackpot.  The TV Loop scores a Triple Jackpot.  The Couch Ramp scores a

Super Jackpot, worth 5 times the Jackpot, and relights all Jackpots.

Further Super Jackpots may require some shots to relight, but this is

unconfirmed.

Double scoring applies to these points (of course!), producing Double

Jackpots, Quadruple Jackpots, Sextuple Jackpots, and Double Super Jackpots.

The maximum value of the Double Super Jackpot seems to be 3,750,000, a big

sum of points.

When the Super Jackpot is lit, a family member's playfield light (look in

the center) will flash, and when it is collected, the light becomes solidly

lit for the rest of the game.  When all five family members have been

collected (i.e., 5 Super Jackpots have been collected), progress is earned

toward... see "Spoilers" section for more.

Couch Multiball ends when one ball is left on the playfield, but there is a

long grace period where one or more additional Jackpot shots may be made.

--- D'Oh Frenzy ---

One letter in "Simpsons" is awarded for opening the Garage, shooting the

Garage mini-ramp (to feed the upper playfield), or shooting the Left

(Treehouse) Ramp.  Two letters can be earned by shooting the Left Ramp after

the Left (Cletus) Orbit.  Listen for Homer's quality spelling job.

"Simpso?!"

When "Simpsons" is complete, D'Oh Frenzy begins.  The timer is reset to 30

seconds if not already above 30, and all switches score.  The first D'Oh

Frenzy is worth 10,000 per switch, and further Frenzies score 2,500 more per

switch.

D'Oh Frenzy can run for a very long time, since the timer is reset by many

different events.  See "The Timer" section for more.  D'Oh Frenzy ends only

when the timer expires or the ball in play ends.

--- Treehouse of Horror ---

Treehouse of Horror is lit by making enough Right (Moe's) Ramp shots, then

collected by shooting the Left (Treehouse) Ramp.  There are many possible

choices, some which give a quick point award, and others that start a timed

round.  You won't know what you're about to get until it's awarded, but the

awards seem to cycle (seems like you would get them all before getting one

for a second time).

On default settings, Treehouse is lit at 5 ramp shots, then 15, 25, and

every 10 thereafter.

Here is a description of each of the Treehouse of Horror awards.  [This may

or may not be a complete list.]

-- Treehouse: Apu's Giveaway --

In this timed mode, the Kwik-E-Mart shot is worth more points than normal,

and awards 2 or 3 bonus multipliers instead of just 1 per shot.  [More

specifics needed.]  "Sanjay, give this man more points!"

-- Treehouse: Captain's Bounty --

In this timed mode, each of the Left (Treehouse) Ramp, Garage, and Right

(Moe's) Ramp score points.  Awards start at just over 100,000 and grow with

each shot. [More specifics needed.]  "Arr."

-- Treehouse: Krusty's Nightmare --

In this timed mode, each shot to the Right (Krusty) Orbit scores a random

number of points.  Similar to Odd Change from TZ, the number of digits in

the

score seem to be random, then a random value is chosen.  [More specifics

needed.]

-- Treehouse: Nuclear Disaster --

"Mr. Smithers, it's happening again..."  In this timed mode, each bumper

hit scores 20,000.  Earn 1 million points by making 50 bumper hits before

the

timer runs out.  [Is there anything else to do in this mode?]

-- Treehouse: Max Everything --

Max all incrementing awards, such as the Bumper value, Ramp value, and

Chalkboard value.

-- Treehouse: Really Big Points --

Awards some number of millions [always 2 million, or random?].

-- Treehouse: Really Small Points -- [Horrifyingly Small Points?]

"Awards" something like 20 points.

-- Treehouse: 10x Nuclear Value --

Score 10x the current Nuclear Value.  Also advances Nuclear Value

collections toward Extra Ball.

-- Treehouse: Crazy Extra Ball --

Oh boy.  Extra Ball is lit at one of the three lanes (left outlane plus

either inlane), but you do not get to control the lit lane.  The GAME

controls

the lane, and you won't like its choices.  Ball heading out of the bumpers?

Oh, the right inlane will become lit.  Ball heading down the Monorail?  Oh,

look, it switched to the left inlane just in time.  Hilarious, unless you

expect to get the extra ball!

Since it takes an awful lot of ramp shots to collect all of these, it is

unknown whether something special happens when all the Treehouse awards have

been collected.

--- Cletus Kids ---

Each time you shoot the Left Orbit (directly, or as fallback from a failed

Garage mini-ramp shot), you get a Cletus Kid.  The display will show the

name of the new kid and the point award.  Awards start at 25,000 [?] and

increase by 5,000 [?] per shot.

Great displays here, since all the previously awarded kids are still shown

in the animation.  [Need: list of the kids' names!]

There are 26 kids, so shoot Cletus 26 times to collect all the kids.  Then,

shoot Cletus one more time to start... see "Spoilers" section for more.

--- Random Awards ---

There are two shots that give random awards: the Garage and Springfield

Elementary.  The Garage gives "Clean the Garage" awards when lit, and

Springfield Elementary gives "Chalkboard Completed" awards every few shots.

-- "Clean the Garage" --

Clean the Garage is lit to start, and is relit by shooting the standup

target on the upper playfield.  Shoot the Garage mini-ramp to collect the

award.

The possible awards include [not a complete list]:

  - Light Special

  - Light Extra Ball

  - Light Lock

  - Award Lock

  - Light Otto

  - Award Otto

  - Light TV Mode

  - Award TV Mode

  - Small Points (multiples of 10,000)

  - Big Points (multiples of 100,000)

  - Light Daredevil

  - Max Bumpers

  - Max Right Ramp

  - Add to Bonus: 50,000

  - Add 1 Simpson Letter

  - Add 2 Cletus Kids [3?]

-- Chalkboard Awards --

Chalkboard Awards are given for shooting Springfield Elementary several

times. Each shot gives a small number of points, but some shots [every third

shot?] also give a random award.

The possible awards include [a very incomplete list]:

  - Hold Bonus Multiplier

  - Hold End-of-Ball Bonus (value, not multiplier)

--- Skill Shots ---

There are three available Skill Shots in the game.  The first is the Comic

Book Guy target, which normally starts a Hurry Up.  Hitting it from a plunge

scores an increasing number of points [value?] and starts two Hurry Ups

immediately.

The second Skill Shot is the Kwik-E-Mart loop, which normally adds a bonus

multiplier.  Hitting it from a plunge adds an increasing number of bonus

multipliers: 5x, 6x, ..., up to 10x. [?]

The third Skill Shot is the strobing Bully standup.  Hitting the Bully

standup (almost always via the Kwik-E-Mart) scores an increasing number of

points [value?] and lights the next Daredevil Mode immediately.

Try maxing out one or more of the Skill Shots!  You'll like it.

--- Miscellaneous Scoring ---

-- Combos --

Combos exist in the game, from 3-Way to 7-Way [?].  A 3-Way Combo is worth

250,000 points.  A 4-Way Combo is worth 500,000 points, for a total of

750,000.   A 5-Way Combo is worth 750,000 points, for a total of 1.5

million.  [6-Way,  7-Way scoring?]

Some examples of Combos are Cletus > Treehouse > TV > Couch (4-Way), and

Moe's > Elementary > Treehouse > TV > Couch (5-Way).

-- Kwik-E-Mart --

The Left (Kwik-E-Mart) Loop scores points and adds a bonus multiplier.  The

number of points awarded by the Kwik-E-Mart Loop is increased by a random

score between 1,000 and 10,000 by hitting the target in front of the loop.

-- Nuclear Value --

The Nuclear Value starts at 100,000, and can be increased as high as

500,000. Add to the Nuclear Value by hitting any pop bumper.  The Nuclear

Value

is collected by hitting the Pop Target directly above the bumpers.  The

value

is multiplied according to how the target was hit:

- If hit as a bounce from a bumper, score the base value.

- If hit directly (no bumpers involved), score triple the base value.  This

   is usually done from the upper right flipper, but can be done from the

lower

   flippers by luck.

- If hit from the upper right flipper immediately after a Left (Cletus)

   Loop, score five times the base value.

[How is the Nuclear Value -lit-?  It's not always lit.]

The Nuclear Value can also be scored at a 10x multiplier from a Treehouse

of Terror award.

Collecting the Nuclear Value advances toward lighting an Extra Ball.  On

default settings, an Extra Ball is lit at 10 Nuclear Values and at 60.

-- Spinner Points --

Spinning the spinner adds an increasing number of points per spin,

beginning at 1,000 and raising by 10 [?] per spin.  Going through the left

inlane triggers a brief period where the spinner is worth triple, then

quadruple.  "Nail that clown!"

Additionally, a bonus is awarded after a number of spins [60?].  This bonus

is not a lot of points [250,000?], but a nice little addition.

-- Ramp Points --

The Right (Moe's) Ramp scores 25,000 for the first shot, then 5,000 for

each additional shot, to a maximum of 75,000.

Double scoring applies to all these points (of course!), so get them while

the getting is good.

--- Extra Balls ---

Extra Balls can be lit in many ways.  Here is a list of some of the ways to

light an Extra Ball [not a complete list]:

- Hit the Right (Moe's) Ramp 10 times.  Hit it 60 times for another.

- Collect the Nuclear Value 10 times.  Collect it 60 times for another.

- Score the first Super Jackpot during Couch Multiball.

- Get "Crazy Extra Ball" from Treehouse of Horror and hope for the best.

- Score few enough points to light the "bozo" Extra Ball on your final

   ball.

Extra Balls are lit on the inlanes and left outlane.  All except the Crazy

Extra Ball may be controlled by flipping either flipper.

--- Spoiler Section ---

WARNING:  This section includes spoilers for many of the special features

available in the game.  Don't read this section unless you absolutely want

to ruin the surprise of seeing these special features yourself.

--- SPOILERS FOLLOW ---

--- SPOILERS ---

Okay, that ought to be enough space to keep everyone away.  Oh, you're still

reading?  Fine, be spoiled, see if I care.

-- Double Scoring --

When all ten double scoring modes have been completed (and are not running),

the red lights will pulse instead of being solidly lit.  Then, shoot the

Otto shot one more time to start...

--- SPRINGFIELD MYSTERY SPOT ---

"Where logic takes a holiday and all laws of nature are meaningless."  Boy,

you'd better believe it, because the left flipper button and the right

flipper button have switched their abilities.  "Everything's all backwards!"

Fortunately, all major shots are lit for 500,000 apiece, double scoring is

active for ALL ten shots, and five balls are put onto the playfield with a

lengthier ball saver.  Mystery Spot, by itself, isn't worth so many points;

but WITH something else, it can make your score jump in a hurry.

Springfield Mystery Spot ends when only one ball is left on the playfield,

and things return to normal (you'll still be freaked out for many seconds).

Fortunately, a ball saver kicks in at the end of this event to keep you from

losing your ball due to switching back.

Make all shots at least once to "win" Springfield Mystery Spot.  This is

pretty important if you plan on... see "Big Spoiler" section for more.

-- TV Modes --

When all seven TV Modes have ended, either by the timer running out or by

completing them, the TV will be lit for...

--- ALIEN INVASION ---

It's an Attack from Mars!  No, wait...  It's just Kang and Kodos, or one of

them at least.  The timer is set to 60 seconds.  There are four phases to

Alien Invasion.  In each phase the goal is to lock all balls.  One ball may

be locked in the Itchy & Scratchy hole and in Springfield Elementary at any

time.  Up to three balls may be locked in the Couch at any time.

Additionally, if there is only one ball remaining, that ball may be locked

in Springfield Elementary, the Garage, the Treehouse, or the Couch.

In each phase, an increasing number of balls are kicked out.  In phase one,

2 balls must be locked.  In phase four, 5 balls must be locked.  If you lose

a ball after the ball saver has shut off, you drop down to the next lower

phase and must complete it again.

Finishing phase four requires at least two balls to be locked in the Couch

without losing a single ball.  Supremely challenging.

Each lock scores 500,000 points.  Finishing a phase for the first time

scores 2 million points instead, and adds 10 seconds to the timer [?].

"Run!!  He's got a board with a nail in it!!"

Finishing phase four scores 20 million points [?] and you "win" Alien

Invasion.  This is pretty important if you plan on... see "Big Spoiler"

section for more.

-- Hurry Ups --

When a Hurry Up has been collected, its light will stay solidly on until all

six Hurry Ups have been collected.  When all have been collected, the lights

will be pulsing rather than solidly lit.  Then, hit the Comic Book Guy one

more time to start...

--- SECRET STASH ---

When Secret Stash begins, all six Hurry Up lights flash, and a countdown

begins at 500,000.  The countdown goes to 100,000.  Shooting a Hurry Up

clears it and resets the countdown to 500,000.

You must hit ten Hurry Ups to complete Secret Stash.  This means completing

all six -- they will then all light again -- and hitting four more.

Completing Secret Stash awards a 1 million point bonus.

Double scoring applies to all Hurry Ups (of course!), so each can be worth

up to 1 million, and the round can be worth up to a total of 11 million

points.

Finishing Secret Stash is pretty important if you plan on... see "Big

Spoiler" section for more.

-- Daredevil Modes --

When all four Daredevil Modes have been completed by earning at least 1

million points on each, all four lights in front of the Captive Ball will

pulse.  Then, hit the Captive Ball one more time to start...

--- DAREDEVIL MANIA ---

Daredevil Mania is a timed round where you must earn 5 million points from

Daredevil shots.  All four types of shots (ramps, loops, bumpers, and

targets) score points.  If a multiball is going on, or if you reset the

timer once or more, you are very likely to finish Daredevil Mania by earning

5 million.

As with the Daredevil Modes, Daredevil Mania points are not awarded until

the end of the ball, so don't tilt if you want the points.

Finishing Daredevil Mania is pretty important if you plan on... see "Big

Spoiler" section for more.

-- Itchy & Scratchy Multiball --

When all four Itchy & Scratchy Multiballs have been played, put the ball in

the Itchy & Scratchy hole one more time to start...

--- SCRATCHY'S REVENGE ---

Scratchy's Revenge plays a lot like the other Itchy & Scratchy Multiballs,

except that 10 Jackpots must be hit before Super Jackpot becomes lit at the

Itchy & Scratchy hole.  Yes, 10.  Since starting the multiball still only

kicks one ball onto the playfield, it is strongly encouraged that you play

Scratchy's Revenge in tandem with another multiball in order to get a Super

Jackpot.

Jackpot is worth at least double what is normally is during Itchy & Scratchy

Multiball.  Overall, it is quite possible to get more than 30 million points

from this multiball.

Getting a Super Jackpot during this multiball is pretty important if you

plan on... see "Big Spoiler" section for more.

-- Couch Multiball --

As mentioned earlier, you must get 5 Super Jackpots during Couch Multiball

to earn progress toward... see "Big Spoiler" Section for more.

-- Cletus Kids --

There are 26 kids, so shoot Cletus 26 times to collect all the kids.  Then,

shoot Cletus one more time to start...

--- PRETZEL MULTIBALL ---

You remember that one with all the pretzels?  Well, too bad.  It's good

Cletus action.  During Pretzel Multiball, all shots score points and add

pretzels, and the Left (Cletus) Loop seems to collect some big jackpot.

[Needs more info.]

-- Secret Awards --

There are several buried secret point awards.

- Max out 1 skill shot: 1 million bonus.

- In Couch Multiball, score a 1x Jackpot, 2x Jackpot, and 3x Jackpot, in

   that order: 2 million bonus. [?]