In this game, the player must fend off an alien invasion from the planet Mars by defending the world's major cities, destroying the invasion fleet, and conquering Mars itself.
Notable features on the playfield include four mechanized Martian figures, a strobe light (for Strobe Multiball), and several flying saucers mounted above the ramps/loops. The largest of these, placed above a set of targets at the top center of the playfield, can shake and flash in time with the player's success in defeating Martian forces.
Objectives
Six objectives must be completed in order to qualify for the Rule the Universe wizard mode, as follows:
Super Jets: Score a specified number of hits on the pop bumpers to boost their value for the remainder of the current ball.
5-Way Combo: Make at least five lit shots in quick succession.
Super Jackpot: Shoot the lock repeatedly to lock three balls and begin regular multiball, with both loops, both ramps, and the lock lit to award jackpots. Collecting all five lights the Super Jackpot, which cycles among the five shots; shooting the lit one awards the points and relights all jackpots at increased value.
Martian Multiball: Hit all seven MARTIAN targets to light Martian Attack at the "Stroke of Luck" scoop. Once the mode is started, destroy four Martians (by hitting T, I, any of M-A-R, and either of A-N) within 30 seconds to begin Martian Multiball. This is a two-ball mode in which all MARTIAN targets can be hit for extra points.
Total Annihilation: Shoot all four ramps/loops three times each. Each of the first three ramps/loops completed in this fashion will start a hurry-up countdown, collected by hitting the saucer at the top center. The fourth immediately starts Total Annihilation Multiball (four balls), with all four shots and the lock lit for jackpots. Completing a ramp/loop while a hurry-up is in progress will reset it to a higher value, or immediately award that value if the ramp/loop starts Total Annihilation.
Conquer Mars: A bank of three stand-up targets rises to block access to the saucer. Hitting all three lowers the bank and starts an attack wave, in which the player must defend Earth against the Martians by repeatedly shooting the saucer. Once five waves are completed, the player can start a sixth one in which the goal is to destroy Mars by shooting the saucer 10 more times.
Once all six objectives are met, the player can shoot the "Stroke of Luck" scoop to begin Rule the Universe, a four-ball multiball in which all shots and scoring modes are active. The goal is to score 5 billion points without losing every ball; doing so awards a further 5 billion. Once Rule the Universe ends, the player can immediately begin to make progress toward enabling it again.
The game includes five multiball modes, the four described above as well as Strobe Multiball (three balls), which can only be started as a random "Stroke of Luck" award. The stand-up target bank rises to block access to the saucer; repeated hits to these targets score points and give awards.
Reception
Attack from Mars is noted for its lasting cultural impact and its ability to appeal to both newer and experienced players.[1][2] It has also received attention for its unusually high scoring.[1]
Sequels and later machines
Attack From Mars was followed up with Revenge From Mars, released in 1999. It was designed by George Gomez, and it featured most of the original AFM design team. It was the first game to run on Williams' Pinball 2000 platform.[3]WMS Industries introduced slot machines in 2011 called Attack from Mars and Revenge from Mars.[4]
Digital versions
Attack from Mars was formerly available for The Pinball Arcade until its delisting on June 30, 2018. It is available as a licensed table of Pinball FX 3 for several platforms[2]; with a remastered version released for Pinball FX on March 31, 2022. Attack from Mars was also included in the arcade game UltraPin. In 2019 Zen Studios released Williams Pinball on IOS and Android and included Attack from Mars. Unlicensed recreations of the game are available for Visual Pinball.
Remake
In 2017, the Chicago Gaming Company released three new editions of the classic Williams title: Attack From Mars Classic, Attack From Mars Special Edition, and Attack From Mars Limited Edition.[5] The company acquired the license to re-make the game in 2010, along with the rights to recreate other Williams machines and parts.[6] Each edition has some cosmetic differences, including different options for cabinet trim, a large color display with HD graphics, lighting effects on the speakers, and an animated topper on the backbox.[7]
References
1 2 Ruben, Adam (2017). Pinball Wizards: Jackpots, Drains, and the Cult of the Silver Ball. Chicago Review Press. ISBN9781613735930.
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