Lethal Weapon 3 pinball rules and strategy
The Strategy
Lethal Weapon 3 uses either three-target bank and the upper VUK to start Lotsaballs. Complete a bank, start Multiball, shoot the left ramp for Jackpot, and use any saucer to relight it. Orbit shots build Uzi bullets for Shoot Out.
The goal
Complete either drop bank and shoot the upper VUK for Lotsaballs, then repeat the left-ramp Jackpot and saucer relight.
Start Lotsaballs
Complete either three-target drop bank, then shoot the upper VUK to start Lotsaballs.
Repeat the Jackpot
During Lotsaballs, shoot the left ramp for a Jackpot and shoot any saucer to relight it. Repeat while the ramp returns cleanly.
Try the larger awards
With both balls controlled, send both up the left ramp within the timer for a Double Jackpot. Use the left orbit and subway pair for a Quadruple Jackpot only when both returns are controlled.
Alternative route: Freeway repeats
Use this when the drop banks, VUK, or two-ball timing is unsafe.
- Hold a raised flipper so a slow ball settles against it, giving you time to plan your next move. on the right flipper and repeat the left Freeway ramp for its rising Millions and extra-ball progress.
Need to know
- Lotsaballs
- Complete either three-target bank and shoot the upper VUK to start multiball, while the other bank can qualify a later start.
- Lotsaballs Jackpot
- Shoot the left ramp for a Jackpot, then use any saucer to relight it after a collect.
- Double and Quadruple Jackpot
- Send two balls quickly up the left ramp for Double or through the left orbit for Quadruple.
Lethal Weapon 3 uses either three-target bank and the upper VUK to start Lotsaballs. Complete a bank and shoot the upper VUK, then alternate the left ramp with any saucer while multiple balls protect the route. Between Multiballs, repeat both orbits for six Uzi bullets and use the launch trigger during each DMD duel without losing the live ball.
The goal
Repeat both orbits to build all six Uzi bullets, then win the The DMD presents an opponent. A later trigger press can score more, but waiting too long loses the duel. The playfield ball does not stop. with the launch trigger.Complete one drop bank for Lotsaballs, start it at the upper VUK, collect the left-ramp Jackpot, and use a saucer to relight it.
- Test both orbit returns, the left-ramp return, and the VUK-hole release before committing to a repeatable shot.
- Repeat the safer left and right orbits to light Uzi bullets. Complete both orbits once for each bullet.
Shoot Out timing details
- The DMD presents an opponent. A later trigger press can score more, but waiting too long loses the duel. The playfield ball does not stop.: Six bullets start the DMD duel. Pull the launch trigger before the opponent fires while keeping the live playfield ball under control.
- The third The DMD presents an opponent. A later trigger press can score more, but waiting too long loses the duel. The playfield ball does not stop. lights Super Spinners. The sixth starts Looping, which makes timed left-ramp repeats worth 10,000,000.
- While the orbit route is under control, complete either three-target drop bank to qualify Lotsaballs.
- Shoot the upper VUK to start Lotsaballs.
Lotsaballs qualification details
- Complete either three-target bank. The upper VUK then starts multiball. The other bank can qualify another start.: Complete either three-target bank. The upper VUK then starts multiball. The other bank can qualify another start.
- During Lotsaballs, shoot the left ramp for a Jackpot. Shoot any saucer to relight it.
Lotsaballs Jackpot scoring details
- The left ramp collects the lit Jackpot. The left, center, or right saucer relights it.: The left ramp collects the lit Jackpot. The left, center, or right saucer relights it.
- Completing all three saucers during Multiball also awards the current Stunt without showing its animation.
- When two balls are controlled, send both up the left ramp within the award window for a Double Jackpot.
- For the larger award, send two balls through the left orbit and subway within the award window for a Quadruple Jackpot.
- If Separate two or more balls held on one flipper so one remains cradled while another moves to the opposite side or back into play. breaks down, collect one safe Jackpot and use a saucer relight. Do not force the two-ball combo.
Top-player proof
- At the Louisville Arcade Expo 2015, Daniele Acciari, Jon Replogle, Bob Matthews, and Roy Wils repeatedly used the orbits while combining them with Lotsaballs, Super Spinners, and Jackpot collects.
- At the North East Summer Slam 2024, Zoe Vrabel won on a modern tournament build by repeatedly using the Freeway ramp, while Bowen Kerins used Lotsaballs and collected Double Jackpots.
Builds toward: Super Lethal Weapon
- Complete both orbits repeatedly to build all six Uzi bullets.
- Win each The DMD presents an opponent. A later trigger press can score more, but waiting too long loses the duel. The playfield ball does not stop. with the launch trigger while you protect the live ball.
- Advance through the six earlier The DMD presents an opponent. A later trigger press can score more, but waiting too long loses the duel. The playfield ball does not stop. awards.
- Win the seventh The DMD presents an opponent. A later trigger press can score more, but waiting too long loses the duel. The playfield ball does not stop. to collect Super Lethal Weapon.
Sources and references9 references9 source links and outbound references.
- PinballCards
- OPDB original Lethal Weapon 3 photograph
- Lethal Weapon 3 complete rulesheet
- Data East operator manual
- Data East instruction card
- Lethal Weapon 3 gameplay
- Lethal Weapon 3 at Louisville Arcade Expo 2015
- Lethal Weapon 3 official and unofficial ROM notes
- Chad — Lethal Weapon 3 unofficial 3.01 change guide