The Simpsons pinball rules and strategy
The Strategy
The Simpsons uses the center bowling-pin drops and lit saucers to turn one lock into two-ball play, then two timed relocks start three-ball Multiball. Complete the center bank, take the first lock, relock both balls before time expires, then complete the bank again and shoot the left ramp for Jackpot.
The goal
Shoot the left ramp for M-I-L-L-I-O-N-S while you build Multiball. Complete the center drops, lock one ball for two-ball play, and relock both balls before the timer ends. During three-ball play, complete the center bank, keep switches active, and collect the one Jackpot at the left ramp.
Plunge through an unlit top lane and use either flipper to move the lit lanes toward a completion.
Test the left ramp. Repeat it from the right-inlane return only when that feed stays controlled.
Use the left ramp to add M-I-L-L-I-O-N-S letters while you work toward the center bank.
- Completing the word starts a timed mode with 1,000,000 at each left-ramp shot.: Completing the word starts a timed mode with 1,000,000 at each left-ramp shot.
Complete the three center bowling-pin drops and shoot any saucer lit for Lock.
- The first lock releases with an autoplunged replacement ball.: The first lock releases with an autoplunged replacement ball.
During two-ball play, lock one ball in any saucer and read the relock timer.
Put the second ball into a different saucer before the timer ends, then plunge the third ball.
- If time expires, the first held ball ejects and the two-ball relock attempt must start again.: If time expires, the first held ball ejects and the two-ball relock attempt must start again.
- The third plunge releases both held balls for the Jackpot phase.: The third plunge releases both held balls for the Jackpot phase.
Complete the center bowling-pin bank once to light Jackpot at the left ramp.
Keep balls moving through safe switches while Jackpot rises from 1,000,000 toward 4,000,000.
- Long periods without switch activity can lower the displayed value.: Long periods without switch activity can lower the displayed value.
Shoot the left ramp for the one Jackpot collect, then use safe play until one ball remains.
Return to left-ramp letters and the next multiball qualification.
Alternative route: Recovery: Simpsons Millions
Recovery pivot: Use this when the center targets or timed relocks are unsafe.
- Repeat the left ramp to spell M-I-L-L-I-O-N-S.
- When the mode starts, repeat the ramp for 1,000,000.
- A made ramp briefly pauses the timer during its callout.
- Stop after a dangerous return; the mode has no grace period.
- Each scored Million shortens the next mode timer by two seconds to a five-second minimum.
Need to know
- Two-Ball Multiball
- Complete the bowling-pin bank and lock at a lit saucer to release a second ball.
- Three-Ball Multiball
- During two-ball play, relock both balls in different saucers before the timer expires.
- Multiball Jackpot
- Complete the center bank during three-ball play and shoot the left ramp for the one available Jackpot.