2 flipper v 3&4 flipper games

[DRD]

I am looking to add a couple of machines to my games room. I am trying to open my mind to a 2 flipper late 70s to mid 80s solid state game, to give some contrast to my TAF and TZ.

But even as a child in the early '80s, I always preferred the 3 and 4 flipper games (provided they are put in the right place and not just a gimmick) as to me they give more interaction with the game:

skill shot
nudging it
flipper 1
flipper 2
[flipper 3]
[flipper 4]

There are plenty of top rated 2 flipper games (MM, TOM, AFM ....), so obviously many people like the 2 flipper games.

What is it that folk like about 2 flipper games please ?

 

[ronsplooter]

For me the number of flippers isn't that important, it's the layout of the playfield and the rules that make the game. If a particular playfield has 2, 3 or 4 flippers then it's just part of the design. You've already pointed out some great 90's 2 flipper games but two of my favourite games of all time, Flash Gordon and Fathom, are from the early 80's and have 3 flippers

 

[windoesnot]

I've personally always preferred 2 flipper games although that doesn't add up much really when you consider the games in my house currently are 3 (SM) and 4 (TZ) flipper games

 

[lukewells]

I guess most of my favourite games are 2 flipper games, it's not for any particular reason, although with some of the multi-flipper games I find the upper flipper(s) are often setup to make only one single shot and thus don't add much value.

That said, I have a few games that feature the Steve Ritchie Upper Right Loop Flipper [tm]

 

[RGV]

I'm with @ronsplooter - Its not the number of flippers per se, but the gameplay of the overall machine that's important. A machine having a certain number of flippers is neither a plus or minus for me.

I suppose an answer to the question might be that on the 2-flipper games that I like there are more than enough varied shots of sufficient difficulty to keep me coming back to play (easy tables are no fun over time) without the need to add a third flipper. In addition there is usually a decent combination of table art/ music and shoutouts that enhance the fun-factor for me as well.

Rog

 

[Moonraker]

The more flippers the better...
3 TAF
3 Pink Panther
3 X-men
3 ST:TNG
3 WH2O
4 TZ
4 TSPP
4 BK
4 The Amazing Spider-man
6 Spirit
8 Haunted House

What...? Genesis only has 2 ???

 

[bartron]

TSPP has 5 mate

 

[Moonraker]

D'oh...

 

[kevlar]

So many of mine have at least 3, when a ball comes down the right side on a 2 flipper machine I'm always looking for that 3rd flipper. But there again if I play a lot of BK2K then move to another machine I try to activate Magna save and tonight I went from Medusa to Spiderman and tried to activate the center post .

 

[BloodyCactus]

I like a little threesome action... on my Starship Troppers with its mini 3rd flipper that affects the scoring.

 

[lukewells]

I like a little threesome action... on my Starship Troppers with its mini 3rd flipper that affects the scoring.

It't a bit of added risk/reward. Trickier shots, but it makes killing the bugs twice as quick.