Godzilla - 1998 SEGA Only 500 Made
The year was 1998 and Godzilla was the last SEGA model made that year, with Viper Night Drivin pinball also being one of the last titles to leave the Sega factory. I have included the I.P.D.B link below for Godzilla.
http://www.ipdb.org/search.pl?any=godzilla&search=Search+Database&searchtype=quickBACKGROUND.
Godzilla was a pinball design produced to represent the movie GODZILLA starring Matthew Broderick and French actor Jean Reno.
The movie was infact very well recieved and was very popular. It is not clearly understood why only 500 units were made, but clearly with the pinball economy in sharp decline, and Sega looking to close its production of pinball machines, one would assume that it was a combination of factors that allowed for such a short production run.
One of the first things you will notice about the GODZILLA Pinball, is the different shaped headbox and the bright green T-moulding used around the backbox edging. This shape headbox was also used on another small production run being Lost in Space Pinball, so one wonders if it was used to take advantage of unused cabinet stock left over from the other title. This headbox shape was also a departure from the Showcase Concave headbox design used on titles like Viper Night Drivin. Interestingly, the Showcase sticker or plaque still appears on the front of the unusual headbox design for GODZILLA so it was still dubbed a Showcase design even though it has a different style and shape of headbox.
FIRST IMPRESSIONS.
One of the first things you notice about GODZILLA is the striking artwork on the translite. The artwork is excellent and portrays the 300 meter Mutant Lizard running around New York whilst attacking Government forces incl Military Jets, Apache Helicopters, Police vehicles and the occassional Taxi.
The artwork is extremely detailed, which is a departure from previous/recent offerings from the Sega factory.
The playfield is also unique in that it incorporates alot of bright green colours incl see through green ramps which when lit by general illumination give off a bright green glow, representing the mutating chemicals which saw GODZILLA grow to over 300 meters tall. The playfield is well laid out, with 4 under playfield magnets giving many combinations of random ball travel, together with a shaker motor.
PLAYFIELD SHOTS.
On top of the playfield, there are 2 x sets of 3 fixed stand up targets, one each side of the playfield, 2 x individual combo targets, again one each side of the playfield, a set of 4 x fixed stand up TAXI targets in the middle of the playfield to hit, 2 x captive balls to hit, a spinner target, one x ramp shot which has no less than 3 x diverters hidden in the GODZILLA hand or the GODZILLA head, allowing the ball to return no less than 4 different ways incl the ball popping out of Godzilla's mouth. The ramps on GODZILLA are also unique in that the balls travels up n down along the ramp like a roller coaster and its a neat visual trick to watch. There are also 3 super pop bumpers on the playfield, with 2 x seperate gate shots to shoot, and 3 different lanes to shoot the ball along. Overall, there is plenty to do on the playfield shot wise.
GAMEPLAY.
Gameplay is very fast. Four and Five ball Multiball can be achieved a number of ways, but is easiest achieved by hitting all the TAXI stand up targets 3 times. The menu settings allow for many changes to gameplay. One of the neat features of the game is to hit the right ramp 3 times so that the ball then diverts into GODZILLA'S head and comes out his mouth. There are diverter switchs in both the GODZILLA head and the GODZILLA hand, plus 2 x other diverters which are visible on top of the ramps. This makes for interesting gameplay because the diverters are random in nature and can return the ball to the playfield a number of ways.
Missions listed during gameplay are TAXI Multiball, HELICOPTER Multiball, BABY ZILLA Multiball, SONAR Multiball, GODZILLA Multiball,
SAVE NEW YORK Multiball and MULTI MULTIBALL which allows for multiple jackpots, higher scores allowing for free credits, and the return of lost balls during MULTI MULTIBALL to continue the 5 ball experience. During Multiball, the shaker motor comes into effect and increases the fun and excitement with so many balls flying around so fast, incl the use of the under playfield magnets. The game is fast paced and ALOT of fun.
AUDIO and DOT MATRIX.
If you have watched the GODZILLA movie, u will see what a great job they have done on the GODZILLA pinball machine. Many audio extracts are used on the pinball, incl a cheeky one liner used during the movie called "Size does Matter". One of the unique sounds used on the pinball is the use of a sonar ping, used by Submarines, and this ping noise is very unique and works well, as does the Helicopter noises, Police cars, Taxi's driving off, People screaming and running, Military Jets flying and last but not least, Godzilla himself running around the neighbourhood pissed off and wrecking everything he can.
The Dot matrix annimations are many and varied and are excellent on this title. Almost every facet of the movie is introduced on the dot matrix, and the graphics are quite exciting. Too many to list, but if u play the GODZILLA machine, you will enjoy the varied graphics, incl the end annimation where jets are shooting at GODZILLA and they miss him to reveal the match numbers you hope to get to have a free game. The shaker motor also kicks in and is timed with GODZILLA'S feet stomping which is a great effect.
OVERALL.
Overall a really fun and good looking game. Gameplay is very fast, plenty to shoot for, and multiball is not too difficult to get which allows for a very fast paced multiball game. The use of green ramps on this machine make the green visual effects unique and make the game different to most DMD games of the 1990's. Playfield toys being the GODZILLA head or GODZILLA hand crushing buildings are oversized on this playfield which shows no expense was spared on this title\s playfield. Cabinet art is the only area that could have been improved but it is the iconic GODZILLA eye looking thru a window close up, giving u a feel as to how huge the GODZILLA monster Lizard really is.
I have had my GODZILLA for a few years now and still enjoy every game. Although there were only 500 made worldwide, there are probably between 6 and 12 units in Australia from what I can tell. Prices range from between $3,000 and $4,500 depending on condition and the amount a collector places on the title. GODZILLA is a fun and entertaining game, if you get the chance to play one, I think you will enjoy it alot.
