"Hit the Deck" and "Neptune" are two closely related pinball machines produced by D. Gottlieb & Co. in 1978. "Hit the Deck" is a replay version, while "Neptune" is the Add-A-Ball variant. Both machines were designed by John Osborne with artwork by Gordon Morison. "Hit the Deck" features a low production run of 375 units, making it a rare electro-mechanical (EM) machine, with unique mechanical score reels designed to mimic solid-state displays. "Neptune" was even rarer, with only 270 units produced, and it was notable for using black score reels with red letters to give it a more modern, digital appearance despite being an EM game.
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Flyers & Promo Media
Neptune
Quickie Version:
UTAD.
Go-to Flipper:
Balanced
Risk Index:
Very High
Skillshot(s):
Get a card you need; try for the 10 on ball 1. If you already have all the red cards, get the center saucer if it’s lit to award a black card. If you have all the red cards and the saucer is lit on red, go for the 10 at the middle left to try to get the ball to bounce into the top left kicker.
Full Rules:
This is the replay version of the more-often-seen Neptune. The goal is to collect all the cards, 6 red and 6 black. All but the black queen can be collected from lanes, although the black ace lane is the right outlane. The top and bottom saucers also award a random card of the color indicated. Completing all six cards of either color lights the joker in the top left chute and light one of the saucers for a special. In competition, the special should be set to award points. Hitting the Joker scores 5000 and once its lit lights both of all matched pairs for 5000. Once you have a pair, e.g. two jacks, the value of one of the pair will go up from 500 to 5000 (it alternates). The game is pretty much UTAD and nudging to get a complete set of one or both card colors. I prefer to shoot straight up towards the gap between the center and left bumpers and assume the ball will start bouncing around between the top lanes, the bumper, the top saucer and the left chute. I only shoot at the Queen and King standup targets at the lower left if they’re the only cards I still need. Because very few cards can be shot at directly, and those few can be dangerous, you’ll find yourself shooting near the bumpers often. Be very careful not to hit the bottom of any bumper squarely, as this can rebound to drain.
via Bob's Guide
