North Star pinball rules and strategy
The Strategy
In North Star, plunge a top lane you still need, then shoot just outside the bumpers toward either side saucer. A saucer scores 100, or 200 when lit. Nudge balls through the outer side lanes toward a flipper and away from the inner lanes, which can feed behind the flippers.
The goal
The side saucers are the best repeatable value, but no lower feed is fully safe. Use constant gentle Move the cabinet briefly so the playfield shifts under the ball, changing its speed or path after contact with a post, rubber, or wall., not large moves, and keep the shot outside the bumper faces. Ignore the color-completion Special routes when their conversion is worthless.
Plunge the center top lane first, then choose a missing outside lane on later balls.
From either flipper, shoot just outside the nearest bumpers toward the matching side saucer.
Use small side nudges to help bumper rebounds enter a lit saucer instead of a drain channel.
Guide balls through an outer mid-playfield lane; prepare to flip immediately when it returns.
Avoid the inner side lanes and color-completion detours unless their Special conversion is useful.
Need to know
- Top lanes
- Each lane lights the pop bumper directly below it.
- Side saucers
- The left and right holes score 100, or 200 while lit.
- Outer side lanes
- Their exits usually head toward a flipper for an immediate shot.