The Princess Bride pinball rules and strategy
The Strategy
The Princess Bride opens each Story region through its named ramp or orbit, while TRUE LOVE and glove progress prepare separate Multiballs. Shoot the Castle ramp or Florin orbit twice to open that region's first Story selection (later Stories need three shots), then choose a Story. Spell TRUE LOVE at the side targets and shoot Max's Hut for True Love Multiball, or light and collect six glove shots from the captive ball and shoot the Castle ramp for Prepare to Die Multiball.
The goal
Use the Castle ramp or Florin orbit for a Story, the side targets and Max's Hut for True Love Multiball, or the captive ball, glove shots, and Castle ramp for Prepare to Die Multiball.
How to start a mode
Shoot the Castle ramp or Florin orbit twice to open that region's first Story selection; later Stories in the same region require three shots. The final shot opens the selection, where you can choose a Story or skip it.
Recommended mode: A Castle or Florin story
Each completed Story awards Character progress, and completing Stories in narrative order increases end-of-ball bonus.
How to play it
Follow that Story's instructions in the Book. Start True Love or Prepare to Die Multiball after the Story begins if you want to play an eligible Castle or Florin Story during Multiball.
- On balls 2 and 3, default settings spot the first qualification shot in each region. Check the displayed progress before shooting again. Competition Mode removes this credit.
Start True Love Multiball
Hit the left and right side targets to spell TRUE LOVE, then shoot Max's Hut to start True Love Multiball.
Alternative route: Prepare to Die Multiball
This is the other main Multiball route.
- Hit the captive ball to light six-fingered glove shots. Collect six lit glove shots, hitting the captive ball again when more choices are needed.
- Shoot the Castle ramp to start Prepare to Die Multiball.
Need to know
- True Love Multiball
- Spell TRUE and LOVE at the side targets, start at Max's Hut, rebuild the letters with jackpots, then make the held-ball kiss for the Super Jackpot.
- Prepare to Die Multiball
- Hit the captive ball to light glove shots, collect six gloves, start at the Castle ramp, then alternate glove shots and captive-ball jackpots.
- Story Modes
- Shoot a region twice for its first Story and three times for later Stories. The final Castle, Florin, or Guilder shot opens that region's selection; completing Stories in narrative order increases end-of-ball bonus.
The Princess Bride advances four Characters by completing Stories and collecting Multiball Super Jackpots. Spell TRUE LOVE, shoot the Castle ramp twice to choose Buttercup's Nightmare, then start True Love at Max's Hut about halfway through the Story's opening ball save. During True Love, rebuild TRUE LOVE with Jackpots, hold a ball from the right orbit or upper side loop, then ricochet it into the left-orbit scoop for the Super Jackpot, add-a-ball, and Westley and Buttercup progress.
The goal
Spell TRUE LOVE, shoot the Castle ramp twice to choose Buttercup's Nightmare, then start True Love at Max's Hut about halfway through the Story's opening ball save.Rebuild TRUE LOVE with Jackpots and make the held-ball kiss Super Jackpot for add-a-ball and Westley and Buttercup progress.
- On the plunge, try the first Farm Boy sequence: shoot the center ramp, then repeat the center ramp.
On the plunge, try the first Farm Boy sequence: shoot the…
- Each completed Farm Boy sequence earns one As You Wish. Later sequences add the left orbit, Castle ramp, right orbit, and upper loop.
- Work the left and right side targets to spell TRUE LOVE. In Competition Mode, shoot only the currently highlighted cycling letter.
Work the left and right side targets to spell TRUE LOVE.
- On default settings, any uncollected letter can advance qualification. A second full letter set before the start extends the multiball after the first drain to one ball.
- Shoot the Castle ramp twice to open its first Story selection, then choose Buttercup's Nightmare.
Shoot the Castle ramp twice to open its first Story selec…
- On balls 2 and 3, default settings spot the first qualification shot in each region. Check the displayed progress before shooting again. Competition Mode removes this credit.
- About halfway through Buttercup's Nightmare's opening ball save, shoot Max's Hut to start True Love Multiball.
- During multiball, collect lit ramp and target jackpots until TRUE LOVE is complete again.
During multiball, collect lit ramp and target jackpots un…
- The first two default Super Jackpot cycles need four ramp jackpots. Later cycles also require four target jackpots. Difficulty and prior progress can change the count.
- Shoot the right orbit or upper side loop to hold a ball at the left-orbit post. Use another ball to ricochet the held ball into the scoop for the Super Jackpot.
- After the Super Jackpot adds a ball, finish the active story mode before returning to the next letter cycle.
After the Super Jackpot adds a ball, finish the active st…
- The first True Love Super Jackpot awards Westley and Buttercup Character progress.
Builds toward: Four White Horses
- Complete story modes and multiball Super Jackpots until Westley, Buttercup, Inigo, and Fezzik each have four Character segments.
- Complete the Guilder modes and Fire Swamp mini-wizard.
- Complete the Florin modes and Miracle Max mini-wizard.
- Complete the Castle modes and To the Pain mini-wizard to reach Four White Horses.
Pro / Premium differences
- Standard, Limited, and Collector's editionsPro: The Standard Edition uses the same playfield module and game software as the other editions.Premium / LE: Limited and Collector's editions add presentation and cabinet extras without changing the playfield module or rules.
- P3 side-target flipper assembliesPro: P3 machines built before 2022 may lack one or both side-target flipper assemblies required by this four-flipper game.Premium / LE: Current P3 machines include both assemblies. Confirm both auxiliary flippers work before using side-target and upper-loop routes.