Rollerball is a classic pinball video game developed by HAL Laboratory and released for the NES in 1990. Rather than dividing the action into separate, distinct screens, it features one continuous, extra-tall vertically scrolling table called the Skyscraper, lightly themed around New York City. With its smooth physics and multi-tiered design, it stands out as one of the stronger pinball experiences on the console and laid the groundwork for HAL’s later handheld pinball titles.
How to play
Your objective is to rack up the highest score possible by hitting bumpers, completing target banks, and preventing the ball from draining at the bottom of the table. In the browser, the default NES controls map to your keyboard: use the Arrow keys for the D-pad and Z/X for the A and B buttons to operate the flippers and launch the ball. Enter and Shift act as Start and Select.
Tips
Take time to learn the layout of the Skyscraper table; reaching and staying in the upper tiers is crucial for setting high scores. Instead of flipping constantly, try to catch the ball on a raised flipper so you can aim your shots at specific ramps or target groups.
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