Batman at Rialto Poolroom Bar & Cafe (4th Ave., downtown) got a software upgrade sometime between Tuesday and Wednesday. All the scores were wiped and the scoreboard now has entries for “Gotham City Champion,” “Batmobile Hurry-up Champion,” and “Bat Signal Challenge Champion.” Machine is running v. 2.94.
I only had time to knock out a few games, so I’ll just mention one new thing I noticed. The Batmobile Hurry-up shot now sets up (perhaps logically) at the Batmobile (center) ramp. At least on the first time through. This makes it considerably easier to get to your first Bat Signal Challenge. Also, it seems you can now extend the hurry-up time (I think by throwing the ball up to the top rollovers, perhaps other ways.) If you don’t make it in time, 3 more center ramp shots sets it up again at the center ramp. After you’ve made one though, after another 3 center ramp shots, the Batmobile Hurry-up shot reverts to the right orbit. Third time through you have to make both shots – right orbit, then center ramp – and you are given double time for the second shot. (Seems like this time allotment should be reversed, given the relative positions and difficulty of those two shots: center ramp is fairly easy from either flipper; right orbit is more difficult, and left flipper only, except for the rare on-the-fly backhand from the right.)
It seemed like there were some new sounds and animations, and a Batpod Multiball I hadn’t noticed before. I’m sure there’s much discussion of this on r.g.p.; these are just my first impressions…
Rialto's Batman plays generally well. There’s a slight rightward lean noticeable on balls rolling down the playfield. Also, the Joker gate occasionally rejects shots back to the flipper (like a weak War Machine), robbing you of legit ball locks.
Anyone seen other upgraded Batmans out there? ID’ed other new features?
P.S. The notes on v.2.9 and v.2.94 are here:
Lots of new stuff in there...