VP8 - Williams - SS - Flipperless - Recreation - Rat Race (Williams, 1983) VP8

Rat Race (Williams, 1983) VP8 v1.0
IPD No. 3718

Pretty amazing table, heavily inspired by the classic wooden tilting maze games. Also one of those fairly rare, solid state, non-redemption flipperless games. Unfortunately it never went in to production, but thankfully, we have VP. This version by TomB, Gaston, and Destruk.

Notes: After starting up the first time, reset once (F3 key) to get the table in to play mode. When in game, hit the F1 key to get a full list of keys & buttons. Don't forget the ROM.
--@Ike Savage

What a Rat Race!

Especially when it's a whole new game with a whole new format! The playfield is joystick-controlled and actually tilts and tips, floating within the cabinet to propel the ball along its surface. To come out ahead, the player must race against time to complete each feature by following the flashing lights from one non-stop adventure to the next. Points and bonus time are earned in this 1- or 2-player game by skillful manipulation and precision. It's a "tail" of excitement and constant challenge, with no time to play cat and mouse!

Stages:
1- LIFE ON THE FAST TRACK
The player starts with three 30-60 second (operator adjustable) time periods. His first goal is to boost his score and time by making the 4 flashing corners and then lapping the track as often as possible within the 15 seconds allowed. Each lit arrow scores 20,000 bonus points and each lap adds 10 seconds!

The player now goes out into the world and uses the extra bonus time he's able to accumulate to face the challenge of one new adventure after another. Flashing lights are his guide. Each adventure has its own unique bonus feature and must be completed as fast as possible.

2- SEWER SWIM
Down, down, down, the sewer through. Round, round, round, and out again, too. All the way down and back out again means the player can now float free to the 3 bonus lanes flashing for 10 seconds and a possible 100,000 plus 10 seconds, 200,000 plus 20 seconds, or 300,000 plus 30 seconds!

3- STREET SMART
Making it through the streets of Rowdytown by following the flashing lamp posts along the way starts the bonus light flashing for 10 seconds. The bonus value, 100,000 plus 30 seconds, rapidly decreases after the first 5 seconds!

4- SCORE WITH THE VARSITY
Everybody wants to be a hero! The player can score big by making the flashing "field goals" and then making the bonus light for "points after"! (Varsity bonus scores the same as the Rowdytown bonus.)

5- EVEN RATS HAVE TO WORK FOR A LIVING
The Rat-A-Tat Construction Company. Ratty-To-Wear Department Store. Fat Rat Health Club. Wherever he works, the player must ride the red-eye through rush hour to get a promotion to the flashing bonus light! (Rush hour bonus scores the same as the Rowdytown bonus.)

6- BE A BIG CHEESE
...at the wheel of fortune! Going through each "spoke" scores the lit value and adds 15 seconds when all are made. Going through the "spokes" in sequence scores double-value plus 5 seconds. Making all in sequence scores 100,000 plus 45 seconds!

Once the basics of each adventure are mastered, the player must be prepared to face more challenging waves. Still racing against the clock, he now must follow the lights as they flash in specific sequences, requiring different strategies and putting his skills to the test.