PINBALL for 1K Sinclair ZX-81
by Stuart Nicholls
from Your Computer, October 1982

[The game will only run a 1K machine]

Two generations have mis-spent their youths to the whirr and click of the
pinball machine. Now Stuart Nicholls offers the game for your unexpanded
ZX-81 with this machinde-code program.

Pinball is a game loosely based on the well-known arcade game. A ball
starts at the top of the playing area in different positions and moves in a
random way, bouncing off the sides and top of the table. If the ball lands
on a number square, the score is increased by that number. The ball is then
bounced off the square in a random direction.

The pinball table flippers have been replaced by a bat at the base line of
the table, due to the memory restrictions of a 1K ZX-81. The numbered
squares, 1 to 9, are printed in a variable position on the table so that
each game is different. The method of playing the game is as follows.

The player has control over the whole of the playig area, as well as the
bat. By pressing any of the keys 1 to 5, teh whole table playing area
except the ball will roll left - that is, numbers and bat will move left as
long as the key is held down. The ball continues moving normally. Anything
leaving the left-hand side of the screen reappears on the right-hand side.
To make the table and bat roll right, press any key 6 to 0.

With these controls you have to try and land the ball on a number square as
it bounces around the table.

If the ball misses all the numbers, then by skilful use of the bat it can
be kept in play and hit back up the table. If a ball evades the bat it is
lost, and a new ball will be given.

Five balls are given altogether, and the number of the ball in play is
displayed on the top left of the screen area. To start each ball the Shift
key must be pressed; an instruction to this effect is given with each new
ball. Your score is shown at all times at the top right of the screen area.
