Strange World pinball rules and strategy
The Strategy
Strange World repeats each number across a top lane, green target, and yellow target. Completing all three locations makes every shot carrying that number worth 5,000 instead of 500, so completing two compatible numbers creates the repeatable scoring route.
The goal
Complete each number at its top lane, green target, and yellow target, then send the ball up top through completed-number lanes for 5,000-point scores.
Choose the first number
On three-ball rules, plunge top lane 2 or 3; either scores both top numbers. On five-ball rules, plunge the number you want to complete.
Complete that numbered set
Hit the matching green and yellow targets. Completing all three locations makes that number's lanes and targets score 5,000 instead of 500.
Score the completed lanes
After most sets are complete, send the ball up top. Use completed #4 when it safely continues through completed #2; otherwise use completed #1 or #2.
Need to know
- Three-ball or five-ball rules
- In three-ball play, hitting 2 or 3 awards both numbers. In five-ball play, complete those numbers separately.
- Number sets
- Complete the top, green, and yellow shot carrying the same number. Every shot with that number then scores 5,000 instead of 500.
- Top lanes
- The top lanes supply one completion for each number. In three-ball play, 2 or 3 awards both; in five-ball play, complete them separately.
Strange World is a number-completion game with three physical locations for each number. Complete a number at its top lane, green target, and yellow target, then repeat any matching shot for 5,000. Complete at least two sets; completed 2 and 4 can score together on one right-side feed for 10,000.
The goal
Complete two number sets at their top lane, green target, and yellow target so matching shots score 5,000 instead of 500.When 2 and 4 are complete, send the ball up the right side so it can score 4 and continue through 2 for 10,000.
- On three-ball rules, plunge top lane 2 or 3; either scores both top numbers, so choose one to finish first. On five-ball rules, plunge the number you want to build and do not rely on that shortcut.
- Hit the chosen number's green stand-up target and yellow stand-up target. For green 4, roll over the upper disk; for yellow 2, use the right-side lane.
- Complete all three locations for one number; every matching lane and target then scores 5,000 instead of 500.
- Complete two number sets. With 2 and 4 complete, send the ball up the right side to roll through 4 and continue through 2 for 10,000. Repeat that feed; take another completed 5,000 shot only when it is cleanly presented.
Top-player proof
- At the Northwest Pinball Championships 2025, Zach McCarthy repeatedly used completed 2 and 4 together, including the 10,000-point right-side 4-to-2 feed.