Cyclopes, Game Plan’s 1982 solid-state offering, is a mythical journey designed by pinball legend Roger Sharpe with vibrant art by Seamus McLaughlin. This low-production title, with only 400 confirmed units, immerses players in a fantasy world dominated by the one-eyed giant. Sharpe’s design features a three-flipper layout, including a crucial upper-left flipper, alongside three pop bumpers and a single slingshot to keep the ball lively. The playfield is defined by twelve standup targets and two distinct four-bank drop target sets, all contributing to a classic alphanumeric scoring experience that rewards precision and pattern recognition.
Central to the gameplay are the two spinning targets and two kick-out holes, strategically placed to interact with the drop target progression. The game introduces a unique “messenger ball” feature, adding an extra layer of chaos and scoring potential. Players are challenged to spell out “CYCLOPES” by hitting specific targets. Completing the “CYCL” sequence not only advances the game’s multiplier (X value) but also boosts the value of the left spinner, while “OPES” similarly enhances the right spinner and multiplier. This clever mechanic encourages players to balance their shots across the playfield to maximize points.
For competitive play, mastering the “CYCLOPES” sequence is paramount. Successfully spelling out the full word is highly lucrative, lighting the center kick-out hole for an extra ball and enabling a valuable ball lock in the top-right hole. A key strategy involves exploiting the small upper-left flipper, which proficient players can continuously backhand to repeatedly strike the spinner, racking up significant points. The interplay between completing target banks, lighting spinners, and securing extra balls and ball locks forms the core of a high-scoring game on this rare and engaging Game Plan classic.