The videos at the bottom of this page use Apple QuickTime plug-in. Broadband internet connection is recommended as these files are 10 MegaBytes in size.
Star Trek The Next Generation pinball machine has 3 videos modes. 2 of them are "hidden" and the 3rd one is the default one that anyone can play. All of them are accesible through a "Holodeck" shot. If you follow below directions step-by-step you will be able to play them all on your machine.
First video mode - There are no secret ways to trigger this video mode, it is built into normal gameplay. Light up the holodeck feature (by shooting the Beta Quadrant ramp) then shoot up the right orbit, like you are going to lock the ball, and the holodeck light should light up. When given the choice between 25 millions on the left and a video mode on the right ("Traverse the Maze", I believe it's called), choose video mode by using right flipper and steer the space ship through caves and mazes with your flippers. Avoid mines and collect 10 million prizes while steering the ship left and right.
Second video mode - "Riker's Poker" To get to this video mode follow the same directions as for the first one. When given the choice between 25 millions and the "Traverse the Maze" on the right, squeeze the trigger button on your gun and hold it (like you're launching the ball).
At the same time with your other hand hit the right flipper button. Riker's Poker mode should appear now, instead of the usual Maze video mode. Use the gun and the flipper buttons to flip the cards. It is a timed video mode and it does award points. I usualy leave a pair of cards if I have them, three of a kind etc... and I leave the rest of them flipped until it times out and the machine randomly deals your and Riker's cards. The rules are the same as in real poker. QuickTime video of the whole event is below.
Third video mode - "Pong" (or "Breakshot") hidden video game - I have been working hard for some time trying to crack the code for the ultra-secret video mode for this game. I worked on it long and hard, tried different stuff, messed with the settings, looked at the game code, probed the game software etc...etc... and I almost gave up. Then I contacted Larry DeMar, ex-chief of Williams engineering. He forwarded me to Dwight Sullivan, code programmer for the game...
This very Secret video mode was revealed by game's programmer Dwight Sullivan after 11 years of guessing in the pinball community (And Yours Truly, almost blew it by almost revealing it on usenet group rec.games.pinball before Dwight did publish it, so I angered 1/2 of the Ex-Williams Engineering staff with lots of emails flying back and forth! It all worked out fine in the end, though, and Dwight had the spotlight in the PinGameJournal # 103 he rightfully deserved... ):
This is the exact procedure for the secret video mode to be followed...
- Start The Game
While the ball is in the shooter lane waiting to be launched, use your flipper buttons and follow this exact sequence of hitting them:
- Hit both left and right flipper button at the same time
- Hit right flipper button once
- Hit left flipper button twice
- Hit right flipper button once
- Hit left flipper button 4 times
- Hit right flipper button once
- Hit left flipper button 8 times
- Hit right flipper button twice
After that has been done NOTHING will happen, except the screen will have an almost not noticeable flicker. But, for the most part nothing will happen, the game will play normally.
Now, start playing your game and launch the ball out of the shooter lane by launching the trigger, just like any other time. Hit the Beta Quadrant ramp 3 times and light up the holodeck.
When holodeck is lit, shoot the ball towards right orbit like you're going to lock it. When given the choice between 25 million instant award on the left and Video Simulation on the right, press the gun trigger and keep it squeezed. At the same time hit the right flipper button with your other hand and you will enter the secret video mode! You will have 5 tries at Pong! that behaves the same way as the classic video game. This mode awards no points whatsoever, unlike the other two modes. After you've had your 5 tries the game will resume its normal operaration. That's it.
And lastly, another hidden feature here:
When you start the game and the game is in attract mode (meaning turned out, but not being played, just shuffling stuff on screen and lights blinking).
Press the flipper buttons in this combo:
L= Left flipper button
R= Right flipper button
B= Both flipper buttons pressed simultaneously
The combination we want is: LLRLB, specifically-
L eight times then once R
L five times then once R
L five times then once R
L six times then twice R
What will happen then: The display will flicker and it will cycle through game logos and names of the games that the designer Steve Ritchie did up to that point.
Below you'll find video files that have all 3 video modes in them. Enjoy! If you have any questions, feel free to email us.
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