Eggnchips Feed
TwitterSpace Cadet Glow!
I had a long break between jobs for what are laughingly known as "personal reasons". My previous job involved a lot of time in front of a computer and so does my current one. Although computers are generally faster and more whizz-bangy now, there’s something I miss from the turn of the Millennium and sitting in front of a PC on the night shift – Space cadet pinball!
Yes, it’s not the most exciting game in the world, nor the most technologically advanced – even then. But for whiling away a night shift when everything was running smoothly there was nothing quite like it. The entire production floor would be involved in Pinball tournaments and the Kudos for winning was enormous!
In no way could it be described as "involved". There was only the one table, which was part of it’s charm, and any number of cheats for it, which just take away the fun to my mind. The sound effects are undoubted a little naff but it just struck the right note for 3 in the morning. I can still hear it now and if it came installed in Vista I’d probably be playing it now as well. To my mind it’s right up there as one of the great time-wasters of…well…all time.
I’m a little saddened by the fact that Microsoft, in their infinite wisdom, no longer package it with their OS. Equally, that it’s not available to play for free online somewhere. With the interest in "retro-gaming" that’s sprung up, surely there’s a place for a basic, rather uncool pinball game.
So cast your minds back. What was it that you played in the wee small hours of the morning? What kept you amused at work, distracted from your homework and up half the night? And I’m not just talking to the Cool Kids here. I’m talking to you…
Columns, without a doubt. It was so simple, but incredibly addictive. I did try playing the pinball game but was never sure what you were supposed to do lol
I didn’t have PC games but I used to LOVE Ms Pacman when I was in college. It was one of those big, snad up and f**k off machines that used to EAT money! I used to play it literally for hours and they removed the blooming machine about 4 days before my finals!!! It was worse than coming off some kind of drug – I didn’t know what to do with myself lol! Of course I try to play games now but it’s with my son saying, as patiently as a 9 year old can, “Mom, it’s circle, circle, B, B and X for the move…sigh”. So I just watch. Or, of course, there’s always Bubble Spinner on Mind Jolt games on Facebook (eyes glaze over and I start to drool – just a little!!)
Of course I meant STAND up machines – not snad up (not quite sure what that would be actually lol!)
The game of choice back then, just had to be Boxworld and later, Boxworld 2 (well d’uh). O….M….G! Toooooo many hours spent on that thing. Pushing those little crates around to cover the ‘sprouts’ (as we affectionately named them) with the annoying little dancing character (turning off the sounds was a must) and writing down how you managed to complete the level, so you could pass on the answers to friends that were pining for help. The game drove you insane! We even had little support groups going.
This game also spilled out into the real world too. It conditioned your way of thinking. I’d find myself chuckling after I had re-arranged the contents of my fridge, or the layout of chocolate selection trays, based on what you had to do in the game. I also remember passing up the opportunity to go to a NYE party, because ‘I nearly had it’ (the solution to level 39). Oh that one was a pig!
In fact, I’ve just Googled Boxworld 1 & 2 and they’re still available to download! *bites nails* What’s more…it’s free! *chews off fingers*
I’ve just called work and explained that I’ve come down with this dreadful, sudden life-threatening illness and won’t be in for a looooong time. Errrrrrr…..must stop writing now. Bye! *downloads*
Greg! Look what I’ve just found! I hope your loved ones and employers forgive me. You can download Space Cadet Pinball for Vista and 7 here:
http://mspinball.weebly.com/index.html
Enjoy! x