Single and/or double player pinball machine

Abstract

A pinball machine which may be played by a single player for a pair of players either playing against one another or as a team. The invention comprises a pair of pinball playing fields joined together at one end and having a common scoreboard, typically protruding vertically upward therefrom. The machine may be played by a single player in a mode wherein a divider separates the two playing fields, which can be mirror images of one another, or can be completely different in design or theme. In a dual player mode, the divider is retracted and the player may play on his own field as well as the other field. The flippers on the opposite field may also be controlled by a player. In this manner, the opposing player gains some degree of control over the opposite playing fields to enhance the chances of scoring. In a further embodiment, it is possible to play the game on a second level or in an arrangement wherein the playing fields are put together back to back and the scoreboard extends vertically above the two playing fields. The versatility of having a single or double arrangement is attractive to players and presents innumerable additional possibilities for play.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.