History Pinball / AirborneAvenger

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''Airborne Avenger'' is a PhysicalPinballTable released by Creator/{{Atari}} in 1977. Illustrated by George Opperman, it is notable for being the first pinball game created by famed designer Creator/SteveRitchie.

As interesting as it might seem, for most players ''Airborne Avenger'' is a slow, plodding game -- what little speed the game has is quickly killed by the captive ball trough in the middle of the table, and many shots end up just bouncing around only to drain down the outlanes. The catchy artwork and 70s-era sound effects are not enough to elevate the game's fundamental problems. Only 350 units were made, but the only market for this game are die-hard collectors looking for a piece of pinball history.

* AirborneMook: The antagonist's minions, who travel around in hang gliders.

* CoolShades: Worn by the hero, of course.

%% * OutsideRide[=/=]SkySurfing

* StuffBlowingUp: The playfield is dotted with various explosions.

* AcePilot[=/=]OneManArmy: The Avenger is implied to be one.

* BaldOfEvil: Seen on the unnamed villain.
* CodeName

* NoPlotNoProblem
* OutsideRide[=/=]SkySurfing
* ProtagonistTitle

The implied premise for the game reads like a pitch for a SummerBlockbuster movie: the Airborne Avenger takes to the skies in his flying one-man jet-sled to battle his evil nemesis and stop his schemes. Battle an [[AirborneMook army of hang-gliding minions]] and dodge anti-aircraft fire, then hit the captive ball target on the table to continue the battle.

* BaldOfEvil: The unnamed villain has one.

As interesting as it might seem, for most players ''Airborne Avenger'' is a slow, plodding game -- what little speed the game has is quickly killed by the captive ball trough in the middle of the table, and many shots end up just bouncing around only to drain down the outlanes. The catchy artwork and 70s-era sound effects are nice, but not enough to elevate the game's fundamental problems. Only 350 units were made, but the only market for this game are die-hard collectors looking for a piece of pinball history.

[[quoteright:350:http://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/airborne-avenger_5874.jpg]]

* StuffBlowingUp: The playfield is dotted with various explosions.

''Airborne Avenger'' is a PhysicalPinballTable released by Creator/{{Atari}} in 1977. Illustrated by George Opperman, it was the first pinball game by famed designer Creator/SteveRitchie.

* CoolPlane: The Avenger's flying vehicle, which combines a jet plane with a hoverboard.

* PromotedFanboy: Steve Ritchie was promoted to pinball designer after creating ''Avenger'' in his off-hours for a year, then showing his design to Creator/{{Atari}} president Nolan Bushnell.

* HighAltitudeBattle[=/=]StuffBlowingUp: The playfield is dotted with airborne explosions.

''The Ultimate High''

As interesting as it might seem, in reality ''Airborne Avenger'' is regarded as a slow, plodding game -- what little speed the game has is quickly killed by the captive ball trough in the middle of the table, and many shots end up just bouncing around only to drain down the outlanes. The catchy artwork and 70s-era sound effects are nice, but not enough to elevate the game's fundamental problems. Only 350 units were made, but the only market for this game are die-hard collectors looking for a piece of pinball history.