January 13, 2005

You just TRY collecting on that free game

I've so far only seen the first season of The Sopranos, thanks to Netflix. It's a good show, with a dark, unsettling world view. The juxtaposition between Tony's worlds (regular family, mafia family, and psychotherapy) puts a postmodern spin on the traditional gangster epic. It's a complex and mature show, and thus, the perfect subject matter for a pinball game.

Wait, what's that? You think I'm kidding?

I'll show you who's kidding.

Yes, this is Stern's next game. Yes, those are pole dancing plastic dolls up in the corner. Yes, that's a talking fish head in the middle (apparently straight from Tony's hallucinations).

Some of the game's features:

Truck hijacks are achieved by shooting the loops three times to start a hijack hurry-up. Shoot the loop again to collect the award and increase you hijack total towards the number required.

The Bada Bing ramp needs to be shot repeatedly to light it again for an award. The ball is stopped next to the two pole dancers so you can admire the view while collecting your award.

Likewise, repeatedly shooting the right ramp will increase the number of buried bodies towards the target number needed to light your red insert.

Bizarre. This has to be the strangest idea for a game since Future Spa.

By the way, here's a Fun Furdell Fact: our ancestors apparently came to America because they were fleeing the mafia. Yep, that sounds like us all right.

James - 12:11 PM
Comments

Wasn't that also true of the Ciprianis, a descendent of whom we knew as Chip?

Big Pinz - Jan 13, 2005 - 3:39 PM

No dude. They came to America because they were BEING the mafia, not FLEEING the mafia.

Fredo - Jan 13, 2005 - 4:05 PM

Yes, I believe the talking fish occurs near the end of season 3.

Be warned: Sopranos peaked in its first season, which was actually about something (Tony's mom). Subsequent seasons are much less awesome.

Andrew F - Jan 13, 2005 - 4:19 PM

I agree with Andrew. But, remember: much less awesome Sopranos > most other stuff on tv at its best.

Big Pinz - Jan 13, 2005 - 5:31 PM

Hey. Nobody in the family has killed for...weeks!

Dad - Jan 13, 2005 - 8:40 PM

blockbuster is cheaper for now and you can get in-store rentals for free every month.

Lee - Jan 14, 2005 - 12:03 AM

Morally opposed to Blockbuster. Worked there in college. Not renting from there.

James F - Jan 14, 2005 - 2:56 AM

True.

Andrew F - Jan 14, 2005 - 9:25 AM