How to Play Attack from Mars

Attack from Mars is about stopping an alien invasion in stages. You begin by attacking waves of Martians threatening major countries, then build toward multiballs, combos, side features, and eventually the destruction of Mars. The game tracks several major objectives, and when all six are completed, Rule the Universe is lit.

The game is enjoyable because the objectives are easy to understand even if you are not an expert. You are usually doing one of three things: attacking the central saucer, building multiball features, or advancing side goals such as combos, Super Jets, or Martian Attack.

• Lower the forcefield to start attack waves.
• Destroy saucers attacking world locations.
• Light and start regular multiball through the center ramp.
• Spell MARTIAN to start Martian Attack at the right sinkhole.
• Build toward Total Annihilation by completing ramps and orbits.
• Complete six major tasks to light Rule the Universe.

Starting the game

The game offers two skill shots. The basic skill shot sends the ball above the bumpers and asks you to collect the flashing lane, which scores 10 million plus another 10 million for each successful skill shot and also increases bonus multiplier by 5X. There is also a Super Skill Shot, activated by holding the left flipper during launch, which sends the ball around and challenges you to hit a ramp, orbit, or gate for 50 million.

The normal skill shot is often the better long-term choice because of the bonus increase and consistency.

• Basic skill shot: flashing lane above the bumpers for 10M plus increasing value.
• Super Skill Shot: hold the left flipper on launch and shoot a ramp, orbit, or gate for 50M.
• Safer players often prefer the standard skill shot.

Attack Waves and destroying the saucer

The central saucer is the heart of the game. In front of it is a motorized three-bank forcefield, and hitting all three targets lowers the forcefield and starts an Attack Wave. During these waves, Martians attack places including France, Germany, Italy, England, and the USA, and you must repeatedly hit the drop target behind the forcefield to reduce the damage meter. Once the meter is emptied, a shot into the center sinkhole destroys the saucer.

After five Earth attack waves, the sixth major objective is the attack on Mars itself.

• Lower the forcefield by hitting its three targets.
• Hit the drop target repeatedly during an Attack Wave.
• Use the side targets to multiply damage and points.
• Shoot the center sinkhole after the damage meter is empty to destroy the saucer.
• Later waves become more valuable and more demanding.

Multiball and major scoring

Regular multiball is started by shooting the center ramp to light locks and locking three balls. During multiball, all ramps and orbits are lit for jackpots. After collecting all five jackpots, a traveling Super Jackpot is lit.

Multiball is especially useful during Attack Waves because having extra balls in play makes it easier to damage the saucer and complete objectives.

• Shoot the center ramp to light and collect locks.
• Lock three balls to start regular multiball.
• Ramps and orbits score jackpots.
• After all five jackpots, Super Jackpot is lit.
• Super Jackpot value increases through the game.

Martian Attack, Total Annihilation, and the final goal

One side objective is Martian Attack Multiball. You light this by completing the seven targets spelling MARTIAN, then shooting the right sinkhole. Another major feature is Total Annihilation, started by shooting ramps and orbits to complete the features below them.

The biggest goal of all is Rule the Universe. It is lit by completing six major tasks: 5-Way Combo, Total Annihilation, Martian Attack Multiball, Super Jackpot, Super Jets, and Conquer Mars.

• Spell MARTIAN to light Martian Attack.
• Complete ramps and orbits to start Total Annihilation.
• Reach the sixth attack wave to conquer Mars.
• Finish all six major tasks to light Rule the Universe.
• Score 5 billion during Rule the Universe to fully win it.

Beginner tips

Even though the theme is chaotic, Attack from Mars is one of the best tables for learning goal-based pinball. The shots are clear, the rules are readable, and the machine keeps pointing you toward the next objective.

• Learn the center saucer sequence first: forcefield, drop target, sinkhole.
• Use multiball during attack waves whenever possible for faster progress.
• Practice the center ramp because it controls locks and many key features.
• Don’t ignore side goals like combos and Super Jets, because they are required for Rule the Universe.
• Focus on completing objectives, not just chasing one high-value shot.

History of Attack from Mars

Attack from Mars was released in December 1995 during the final great years of Williams and Bally pinball production. It was produced by Midway under the Bally label and built on the Williams WPC-95 hardware platform.

The game was created by Brian Eddy, with software by Lyman F. Sheats Jr., art by Doug Watson, mechanics by Robert C. Friesl, and music and sound by Dan Forden.

• Concept and design: Brian Eddy.
• Software: Lyman F. Sheats Jr..
• Art: Doug Watson.
• Dots and animation: Adam Rhine and Brian Morris.
• Mechanics: Robert C. Friesl.
• Music and sound: Dan Forden.

Historically, the table is important because it became one of the signature games of the 1990s. There is also a well-known note that the game was not originally inspired by the film Mars Attacks!.

Hardware and Playfield Features

A big part of Attack from Mars’s success comes from how clearly its hardware supports the theme. The central feature is a moving flying saucer in the middle of the playfield, backed by a motorized forcefield target bank and a drop target that reveals the center sinkhole.

The playfield also includes four dancing Martian figures and a strobe light used during Strobe Multiball.

• Moving flying saucer in the center of the playfield.
• Motorized three-bank forcefield targets.
• Center drop target and sinkhole behind the forcefield.
• Four dancing Martian figures for Martian Attack.
• Strobe light used during Strobe Multiball.
• Two ramps, two orbits, bumpers, and a right sinkhole for awards.

Saucer and forcefield

The central saucer assembly is the machine’s defining hardware feature. You first knock down the forcefield targets, then attack the drop target, then shoot the sinkhole to finish the saucer.

Ramps and orbits

The left ramp, center ramp, right ramp, and the two orbits all matter heavily in scoring. They are used for jackpots, combos, Total Annihilation progression, locks, and Super Skill Shot objectives.

Right sinkhole and bonus features

The right sinkhole is where players collect features such as Extra Ball, Stroke of Luck, Martian Attack, and Rule the Universe. Stroke of Luck can award several random bonuses, including video mode, multiball-related help, and direct scoring awards.

Fun Facts About Attack from Mars

Attack from Mars is known for its campy humor, over-the-top B-movie presentation, and callouts that match the alien invasion theme.

The IPDB also notes that Doug Watson voiced the Martians and wrote their dialogue script, while Tim Kitzrow provided multiple other voices.

• The machine has an average IPDB fun rating of 8.2/10.
• There were 3,450 confirmed units produced.
• Doug Watson voiced the Martians and also wrote their script.
• Tim Kitzrow provided multiple voices.
• The game includes a hidden Cow Video Mode if specific conditions are met.

One of the funniest secrets is Cow Video Mode. Another reason the game is so beloved is that it feels instantly understandable but remains challenging for years.