GOAL

The main object of Earthshaker is to complete all of the zones for the current building, which leads to Multiball play and the Jackpot score. Each building starts with a number of "predictions" for the next quake. Each prediction corresponds to one of nine zones located on the playfield.

Upon completing all of the predicted zones, the first-ball may be locked by hitting the ball into the shelter (unless disabled by the operator) or by hitting the ball up the fault.

Once the first ball is locked, the Earthquake Institute predicts zones for the second quake. Upon completing the zones, the second ball is locked by hitting the ball up the fault. With two balls locked, the player shoots a third ball into play to begin a 3-ball Multiball.

For the first round, the zone visits can be in any order (all zones are lit from the beginning). For the second round, the zone visits must be row-by-row, but may be in any order within each row (zones 4, 5, and 6 will only be lit after zones 1, 2, and 3 are completed). After the second round, each of the zone visits must be in numerical order.

As the game progresses, more zones are "predicted" for each quake, and enabling each lock for Multiball becomes harder to achieve. Eventually all nine zones must be completed in numerical order to complete the building.

GLOSSARY

AFTERSHOCK
The Aftershock is an additional two-ball Multiball that is awarded if the ball enters the shelter within 15 seconds after the end of normal Multiball. During the Aftershock, the Jackpot may be enabled and claimed in the same manner as for Multiball (see MULTIBALL).

BILLBOARD
The billboard is another term for the three drop targets.

BONUS
A bonus is awarded at the end of each ball as follows:

(1K * total miles * bonus multiplier) + (20K * total fault trips)

For example, if 24 miles and 5 fault trips have been accumulated at the end of the first ball, and the bonus multiplier is at 3X, then the bonus would be 72K for the miles and 100K for the fault trips. Both the miles and fault trips are cumulative throughout the game.

BONUS MULTIPLIER
After a building is completed, the bonus multiplier is advanced to the next level. This is used to calculate the bonus at the end of each ball (see BONUS). The bonus multiplier is cumulative throughout the game.

The current value is indicated by the lights just above the flippers. The "2X" and "3X" (in white) are awarded in the first round of Multiball, the "4X" and "5X" (in yellow) are awarded in the second round of Multiball, and the "6X + LIGHT EXTRA BALL" and "6X + LIGHT SPECIAL" (in red) are awarded in the third round of Multiball.

BUILDING
The building, or Earthquake Institute, is located in the upper left region of the playfield. It signals to the player the zones that still need to be completed before the lock for Multiball will be enabled.

CAPTIVE BALL
The Captive Ball, zone 9, is located on the right side of the playfield between the stand-up targets. Hitting the Captive Ball awards the current point value (indicated by the five lights in front of the right slingshot) and usually spots the lowest zone that is not yet completed. Spotting a zone may, however, be disabled by the operator.

The point value starts at 25K. Each center ramp shot increases the value for a timed period to 50K, 100K, 150K, or 250K. The timer can range from three to 20 seconds, but is usually set to about seven seconds. After each timed period expires, the point value falls to the next lowest level. If the 250K shot is hit, Quick Multiball is enabled and the point value returns to 25K.

If the ball enters the shelter, the non-timed minimum point value is increased to 50K or 100K. If the shelter is entered twice, for example, the point value of the Captive Ball will not fall below 100K until the next ball or the 250K shot is hit. This means that only two successive center ramp shots are needed to light the 250K shot.

CENTER RAMP
Each center ramp shot awards 1 or 2 miles depending on if the shot is made before the "2 miles" timer expires. This timer is activated when the ball passes through the left return lane, and it normally lasts for about five seconds. The operator may set this to anywhere between 1 and 20 seconds or disable it completely.

The initial point value at the start of each ball is 25K, jumping next to 50K, and then increasing by 10K for each shot up to a maximum of 100K. If the first shot is made before the 50K timer expires, then the scoring starts at 50K. After 99 miles, each center ramp shot is worth 200K.

The center ramp is also used to increment the point value of the Captive Ball, and to enable the Jackpot during Multiball.

DROP TARGETS
The three drop targets are located near the bumpers at the base of the building. Hitting all three targets awards the current point value, resets the targets, and increments the value of the Jackpot.

The initial value at the start of each ball is 50K, and increments by 10K (up to 100K) each time the targets are reset. The "BILLBOARD VALUE 100K" Match-up award sets the point value to the 100K limit.

EARTHQUAKE INSTITUTE
The Earthquake Institute is the name of the building (see BUILDING).

EJECT HOLE
The eject hole, zone 5, is located near the upper left flipper directly to the right of the stand-up target. The ball is ejected to the left, which brings the ball down past the upper left flipper. If enabled, the eject hole will will lock the ball for Quick Multiball, which allows the player to put a second ball into play.

END OF ROAD BONUS
Miles stop accumulating after 99 miles. At this point, each shot up the center ramp will award 200K points. The "light 2 miles" switch loses its meaning. There is not an equivalent bonus for making additional fault trips beyond the upper limit of 69.

EXTRA BALL
The following will light the extra ball award, which is claimed when the ball enters the shelter:

• Accumulating 12 miles (this is the factory setting, but the operator may change this to any value up to 75 miles, turn it off completely, or allow the value to change based on the level of play).
• Accumulating 60 miles (this is the factory setting, but the operator may change this to any value up to 75 miles, turn it off completely, or allow the value to change based on the level of play).
• Completing the building for the 5th time.

The following will immediately award an extra ball:

• The "Extra Ball" Match-up award.
• The "1.5 Million + Extra Ball" Jackpot award.
• The third million shot of a game.

The following are additional ways to receive an extra ball if set by the operator, but are not common:

• On a replay.
• As a special award.

The operator may also set the maximum number of extra balls, ranging from one to nine, that can be awarded to a single player.

FAULT TRIP
The fault is the ramp on the right side of the machine that places the ball in the upper left corner of the machine. This is the most important shot of the game. Making a "fault trip" awards three miles, spots the lowest uncompleted zone, and locks the ball for Multiball if the building is completed. During Multiball, a trip to the fault awards the Jackpot value after it has been enabled (see JACKPOT).

The ball will be ejected up the habitrail and directed towards the center ramp, which will bring the ball back to the lower left flipper. If the first ball is being locked for Multiball, however, the California/Nevada state maps will separate and the ball will be directed to the shelter.

Each trip to the fault adds a 20K bonus at the end of each ball (see BONUS). Making a fault trip during Multiball will award 250K points if the Jackpot is not yet enabled or if it has already been claimed. During Multiball the ball will be directed towards the shelter rather than to the center ramp.

JACKPOT
The Jackpot value is indicated by the lights on the backglass, which is incremented when the drop targets reset (this includes the start of a ball). The possible values are 500K + SPECIAL, 1M, 1.25M, 1.5M, 1.5M + EXTRA BALL, 2M, and 2.5M.

During Multiball (except for Quick Multiball), the player must first make the center ramp shot to enable the Jackpot. The Jackpot is then claimed by making a fault trip.

If the Jackpot is not claimed by the end of Multiball, the player has a timed period to hit the ball into the shelter for an additional two ball Multiball. During this "aftershock", the Jackpot may be enabled and claimed in the same manner.

JET BUMPERS
The lighting of the Jet Bumpers is advanced by hitting the ball around the loop. The "Jet Bumpers On" Match-up award will set the lighting to the maximum setting. The stages of the Jet Bumper lighting are as follows:

1. All bumpers score 1,000 points (none lit)
2. Red bumper scores 2,000 points (red lit)
3. Blue bumper scores 2,000 points (red and blue lit)
4. Yellow bumper scores 2,000 points (all lit)
5. Red bumper scores 3,000 points (red blinks)
6. Blue bumper scores 3,000 points (red and blue blink)
7. All bumpers score 5,000 points (all blink)

The initial Jet Bumper lighting at the beginning of each ball may be set to any of the above stages. The factory setting is stage two (red bumper lit).

LOOP
The loop is located at the top of the playfield. It is typically hit from the upper left flipper (sending the ball just to the left of the fault trip) or from the right flipper (sending the ball past the upper left flipper) The loop completes zone 6 and advances the lighting of the Jet Bumpers.

MATCH-UP
A Match-up sequence is started by hitting the ball into the shelter, which will award one of 10 possible Match-up values. These values appear in the upper and lower display panels. When both panels display the same value, a Match-up occurs and the displayed value is awarded. The 10 values are:

• 2 MILES
• 5 MILES
• 100,000 POINTS
• QUICK MULTIBALL LIT
• LIGHT SPECIAL
• ZONE COMPLETED (Spots lowest uncompleted zone)
• COMPLETE BUILDING (Spots all uncompleted zones)
• BILLBOARD 100K (Drop Target value at maximum)
• JET BUMPERS ON (Jet Bumper lighting at maximum)
• EXTRA BALL (instant extra ball)

The more valuable awards (complete building, light special, and extra ball) are awarded much less frequently than the others. The Match-up will not award a value that is already completed. The "Zone Completed" value will not be awarded, for example, if the building is already completed.

After a Match-up sequence is completed, the ball returns through a habitrail into the right return lane. The Match-up sequence is shortened if a ball is locked for Multiball, since the locked ball must be ejected before the ball that just entered the shelter comes and replaces it.

The Match-up is not awarded during any Multiball, when locking the first ball for Multiball, or when locking the ball for the Aftershock.

MILES
Miles are awarded for the following:

• Hitting the ball up the center ramp (1 or 2 miles)
• Hitting the ball up the fault ramp (3 miles)
• As a Match-up award (2 or 5 miles)

The current number of miles is indicated by the lights on the left side of playfield. The numbers 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 10, 20, and 30 will be lit so that the total of the numbers lit will equal the number of accumulated miles. All of the lights will be lit after 75 miles, at which point the actual number of miles accumulated can only be determined by looking at the backglass display.

At the maximum of 99 miles, each center ramp shot awards the "end of the road" bonus of 200K points.

MILLION SHOT
The Million Shot is only enabled during Quick Multiball, and it is claimed by making a fault trip. If the Million Shot is made after the first ball has been locked in the shelter, then the normal 3-ball Multiball play will begin immediately.

The third Million Shot of a game will award an extra ball.

MULTIBALL
After two balls have been locked, the player begins Multiball by shooting the third ball into play. After enabling the Jackpot by making a center ramp shot, it is claimed by making a fault trip.

If one of the balls enters the shelter during 3-ball Multiball, it will be held until one of the remaining two balls is lost. The shelter will not hold the ball, however, once the Jackpot has been awarded.

After both balls are lost, the player has 15 seconds to hit the ball into the shelter for an additional two-ball Multiball called the Aftershock.

Each trip to the fault during Multiball before the Jackpot is enabled or after it has been claimed awards 250K points.

QUICK MULTIBALL
Quick Multiball is enabled as a Match-up award or by hitting the Captive Ball when the point value is 250K. When enabled, hitting the ball into the eject hole (zone 5) will lock the ball for a two-ball Multiball.

During Quick Multiball the Million Shot is enabled (see MILLION SHOT). When putting the second ball into play, the locked ball will pop out past the upper left flipper for an immediate attempt at the Million Shot.

The Jackpot is not enabled during Quick Multiball.

SCENIC DRIVE
The scenic drive is another term for the center ramp.

SHELTER
The shelter is located just to the right of the center ramp. If the lock is enabled (indicated by a flashing green light), the first ball will be locked for Multiball. The factory setting always allows the first ball to be locked via the shelter, but the operator may change this so that both balls must be locked by making a fault trip. Another setting allows the first ball to be locked via the shelter only on the first round.

If the lock is not enabled, or the first ball is already locked, the shelter will award a Match-up (see MATCH-UP). An extra ball will also be awarded when enabled (see EXTRA BALL).

After two of the three balls have drained during Multiball the player has 15 seconds to "head for the shelter", which will awards an additional two-ball Multiball (see AFTERSHOCK).

SKILL SHOT
When putting a ball into play, the ball enters a spiral located in the upper left corner of the playfield. The spiral contains exits for 10K, 25K, 50K, and 100K points. A strong shot from the plunger causes an "overpass", which awards 25K points and 1 mile. The overpass directs the ball to the lower left flipper which allows the player a shot at the center ramp before the 50K timer expires.

SPECIAL AWARD
A special award is lit, and remains lit until claimed, by completing the building for the sixth time. If one special is enabled, it will switch between the left and right outlanes when the ball hits a bumper or slingshot.

A second special award is lit, and remains lit until claimed, by accumulating a certain number of miles. The operator may set this to anywhere between 50 and 99 miles or disable it completely. Normally the special will be lit at about 75 miles.

A special award may also be lit as a Match-up award, but this is extremely rare. This special award, however, will be disabled at the end of the current ball.

The special award is claimed when a ball passes through an outlane when the special is lit. Normally this awards a free game, but the operator may set this to award points or an extra ball instead.

SPINNER
The spinner is located above the bumpers at the entrance to the loop. It awards 1,000 points for each full revolution (or 3,000 when lit). The spinner is lit when the ball passes through the right return lane, and stays lit for about ten seconds (may by set to anywhere between one and 20 seconds).

ZONES
The playfield contains nine "zones" as follows:

1. Left stand-up target (near the upper left flipper)
2. Upper right stand-up target (to the left of the Captive Ball)
3. Lower right stand-up target (to the left of the Captive Ball)
4. Center stand-up target (just to the right of the center ramp)
5. Eject hole (next to the upper left flipper)
6. Loop (around the upper portion of the playfield)
7. Right return lane
8. Left return lane
9. Captive Ball

For the first round, the zone visits can be in any order (all zones are lit from the beginning). For the second round, the zone visits must be row-by-row, but may be in any order within each row (zones 4, 5, and 6 will only be lit after zones 1, 2, and 3 are completed). After the second round, each of the zone visits must be in numerical order.

As the game progresses, the number of zones that need to be completed for each building increases, making Multiball harder to achieve.

SOUNDS

The following voices are heard during the game (M = male, F = female):

• M "It's sunny drive time!" Starting a game
• M "They've locked on with all the hits." Completing the building
• M "EARTHSHAKER!!!" Locking a ball for Multiball
• M "Take a scenic fault drive today." Starting Multiball
• M "Check out the fault today." Enabling the fault for Jackpot
• M "Head for the shelter!" During timer for Aftershock
• F "Ooh, give me shelter!" During timer for Aftershock
• F "Ooh, bitchin'!" Receiving/starting an extra ball
• F "Ooh, million!" Million shot enabled
• F "M-M-M-Million!" Million shot awarded
• F "Ooh, Jackpot!" Jackpot enabled
• F "J-J-J-Jackpot!" Jackpot awarded

SCORES

The following summarizes the scoring in Earthshaker. For a more descriptive explanation of certain items, such as the scoring for the center ramp, see the entry in the glossary.

• Bumpers 1010 (off), 2010 (lit), 3010 (blink), or 5010 (all blink)
• Captive Ball 25K, 50K, 100K, 150K, or 250K
• Center ramp 25K, 50K, 60K, 70K, 80K, 90K, 100K, or 200K
• Drop targets 50K, 60K, 70K, 80K, 90K, or 100K
• Fault trip 50K (normal) or 250K (Multiball)
• Jackpot 500K/Special, 1M, 1.25M, 1.5M, 1.5M/Extra Ball, 2M, or 2.5M
• Loop 20K (normal) or 100K (Jet Bumpers)
• Outlane 50K
• Return lane 5000
• Skill shot 10K, 25K, 50K, or 100K
• Slingshot 110
• Spinner 1000/revolution (unlit) or 3000/revolution (lit)
• Stand-up 25K (unlit) or 40K (lit)
• 50K Stand-up 25K (unlit) or 50K (lit)
• Zone (lit) 40K

TIPS

• Master the fault trip. This is by far the most important shot of the game. Use it to accumulate miles, spot the more difficult zones (zone 6 and zone 9), and receive the Million and Jackpot scores.

• Pound the miles. This leads to extra balls and basically boosts up your score. This especially true after 99 miles, when each center ramp shot is worth 200K points and the bonus is worth up to 594K points. Work on consecutive center ramp shots to accumulate the miles faster.

• After hitting the shelter twice, the Captive Ball will stay lit at 100K. It then takes only two consecutive center ramp shots to light the 250K shot. If you feel like gambling (it's a sucker shot), go for the Captive Ball to enable Quick Multiball. Usually it's worth the gamble, since it can lead to the M-M-M-Million shot.

• On Quick Multiball, don't shoot the ball too hard to cause it to cause the ball to "overpass" into the center ramp. This puts the ball on the lower left flipper at just about the same time the second ball gets ejected past the upper left flipper, which ruins your initial chance at the Million shot.

• If possible, shoot the ball into the "overpass" when starting Multiball (except for the Quick Multiball). This gives a good shot at the center ramp to enable the Jackpot before the other balls get in the way.

• It's almost always a good idea to shoot for the eject hole (zone 5) from the right flipper. This will eject the ball so that it rolls slowly past the upper left flipper for an attempt at the fault.

Editor's Notes

• HTML added by David Gersic dgersic_@_niu.edu
• E-mail addresses have been expunged to prevent web-bot spamming, and Web links have been updated where possible.