UK Machine Record
Catacomb
Stern Electronics · 1981 · at 1 UK venue.
Catacomb is a Stern Electronics fantasy-themed machine built around exploring a dark underground world. The game uses monsters, treasure and dungeon imagery to give its relatively straightforward rules a strong adventure feel.
The playfield is focused on target shooting and progression, with the various features representing different parts of the catacomb. The atmosphere does much of the storytelling while the player concentrates on making the important shots.
It is a reminder that pinball doesn’t need a complicated rulesheet to feel like an adventure. Enter the dungeon, find the treasure and try to make it back out.
Written by Silverball
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No guide to Catacomb yet
Guides here are compiled against the machine’s published rules, credited to what they were built from, and dated. That makes them slow: the machines standing on the most UK floors get one first — but anyone who plays this machine can write their own.
Strategy tips written by players on PinTips , not by Silverball. Best-voted first.
Multiball1 tip
- Multiball
There are two ball locks. Complete all numbers of a color to release all balls. If done on backbox, balls release on next ball.
General6 tips
- General
After the ball ends, press the right flipper to activate the backbox "bagatelle." Play continues until no time/flips or a repeat number.
- General
Lighting four of the same color numbers on the grid advances bonus x
- General
To spot a number, time the drop target completion with the number being lit. There are also a few switches that spot numbers.
- General
In the backbox, A/B/C/D correlate to the 4 drop target banks. Going through a lane will spot the lit number on that letter's bank.
- General
If the value is boosted, the spinner can be a lucrative strategy.
- General
Choose color you have least of! If you have 4 blue, 3 red, 1 yellow, 0 green…start with green (100%), then yellow or green (75% success)
Skill shot1 tip
- Skill shot
The three top lanes each do a different thing - the left 2 stop the drop targets from cycling and hold to a color. Right advances spinner.
Secrets & easter eggs1 tip
- Secrets & easter eggs
Use the left flipper in backbox mode to cycle between the 4 colors. Wise and fast control can build huge bonuses!
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