04/22/96 A TOUCH OF PINBALL MAGIC FOR PCs

A TOUCH OF PINBALL MAGIC FOR PCs

EDITED BY ROBERT D. HOF IF YOU'RE ADDICTED TO THE ringing bells and flashing lights of a good old-fashioned pinball game, practically the only way to satisfy your craving these days is with computer pinball software. But while today's PCs can effectively mimic the fast-paced action of a pinball ricocheting off bumpers, targets, and flippers, most pinball wizards will tell you the PC versions still don't really cut it. Now, Thrustmaster hopes to bridge that gap.
The Portland (Ore.) manufacturer of computer-game gear has introduced Wizzard Pinball Controller, a pair of devices that connect to the joystick port of an IBM-compatible PC. The controllers attach to the sides of the keyboard with Velcro, simulating the feel of a real pinball machine's controls. The $39.95 devices can sense how hard you hit the built-in flipper buttons, and they move the on-screen flippers accordingly. What's more, they can sense motion--so if you shake the keyboard, the game table ``rocks'' as well. Wizzard comes with its own pinball software but will work with most pinball titles.
By Paul Eng