[New VP10 Alert] Thunderbirds Are Go!

[DrSandraNo]

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Thunderbirds Are Go!

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With drinkcristal's kind permission, I present THUNDERBIRDS ARE GO! 

 

This is kind of an orphan game.  It is considered to be the worst pinball game IRL and was not the best game HomePin produced.  I think the game is playable, though it seems overly complex.  The IRL game didn't really utilize a lot of sound effects from the show, and I think that reduced some of the campy, joyful charm of the game.

 

This game was produced with the help of Ian and others in the World of Virtual Pinball group.  The WVP group can be found at: https://wovp.freeforums.net/  Check them out!

 

This version does not have the VR room or the rocket gameplay from drinkcristal's version. This is just a straight-up pinball game.

 

Also, while this game is based on the HomePin TAG game, it is not an exact replica of the game either.  This is more of an homage to the TV show and has more elements from the Gary Anderson program.  I've used many sound effects and videos from the show and included a lot of Barry Gray's wonderful music as well.

 

This uses Wildman's backglass, which was part of the drink crystal package. There are several TAG topper videos and DMDs that could be used with the game, but I have not incorporated them into the package.

 

To play the game, be sure to put the directory called thunderbirdsDMD in the table directory.

 

The game missions are as follows:

Defeat The HOOD by striking the oscillating target four times.
That unlocks the rest of the Thunderbird missions.  And allows you to launch TB1 and TB2.
Currently, the HOOD needs to be defeated BEFORE being able to launch TB1 and TB2.
Launch TB4 by going through the gates at the top of the playfield.
Launch the Mole by hitting the captured ball target twice.
Light Lady Penelope's FAB light by going up the FAB ramp four times.
The Hoverboards are lit by striking their target twice.
Once all six missions are lit, a three-ball multiball will be unlocked.

 

And if you are a glutton for punishment, going up the International Rescue ramp NINETEEN times will unlock a five-ball multiball.  This, I think, is what reduced a lot of the enjoyment of this game.  It was stupid and almost impossible to achieve in one game.

 

Menu for the game.
 Hold the Left flipper for 1.5 seconds between games to activate.

 

LUT 
 Press the Left or Right Magna buttons anytime to change the LUT setting.

------------->These changes are intentionally not implemented <--------------------
Add Upper ramps (I've decided not to.  The game isn't really well designed to use ramps, so out they go.)
Create ball lifter for Tracy Pool (TB1 Launch) (Another one that didn't make the cut.  No ramps, no ball lifter.)
Play mode uses REM music in the background?  (Background music is already being played.  Putting in other music is not efficient.)
Hit Target to change music    (This is a feature on the IRL game.  Not implemented here.)
Music selection has <-SYNTH->            (See above about music.)
Music selection has <-ALTERNATIVE->            ditto
Fill the bar to reach Thunderbird 5 (Yeah, that's a thing. Not happening.)
Swimming pool lights up    (More IRL vs virtual game differences.)
Need hoverboard videos    (This would be handy to find.  But the hoverboards were used so infrequently, it's hard to find good video sequences.)
 

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• Submitter
  DrSandraNo
• Submitted
  05/16/25
• Category
  VPX - Pinball Tables
• VPX Standalone
  No