Revenge of the 'Gator

Revenge of the Gator hit Game Boy in October 1989 in Japan and March 1990 internationally, and today we are playing it on the Game Boy via MiSTER FPGA with full gameplay and commentary. If you are new to the channel, welcome. This is exactly what we focus on.

Developed and published by HAL Laboratory with music by Hiroaki Suga, Revenge of the Gator stands as one of the earliest and most influential pinball games on the Game Boy platform. The game is known in Europe as Pinball: Revenge of the Gator, and in Japan as Pinball: 66-hiki no Wani Daikoushin. The objective is straightforward but engaging: score as many points as possible without allowing the pinball to be eaten by the hungry alligator lurking at the bottom of the play field.

The main pinball table spans across four scrolling screens, giving the play field a sense of scale and exploration that feels expansive for handheld hardware. Access to three bonus stages is triggered by knocking down specific targets on the main table. Each stage has its own layout and scoring potential. Direct the ball into certain spots to earn extra balls and score multipliers, but one mistake can cost you dearly.

HAL Laboratory's pinball physics engine proved so effective that it would be reused in Kirby's Pinball Land, released later on Game Boy. That same engine would later be adapted again for Pokemon Pinball on Game Boy Color, cementing the legacy of this original design. The fact that the company continued refining and reusing these physics across multiple titles speaks to the quality of the initial implementation.

The game features four distinct modes of play. Standard single-player mode is the default score-attack experience. Gator mode allows two players to alternate turns and compete for high scores. Match Play mode represents actual head-to-head competition where two players compete simultaneously through the Game Link Cable, with the ability to knock your opponent's ball over their flippers. There is also a two-player alternating turn mode for play without link cable hardware.

The contrast between the green monochrome display and the simple but effective sprite work gives the game a distinct visual identity. The pinball table itself is clean and readable on the small screen, making it easy to track your ball position even during intense play. The audio design is appropriately minimal, keeping the focus on the gameplay without unnecessary distraction.

Revenge of the Gator received generally positive reception from critics upon release and has held up remarkably well over more than three decades. Players and critics consistently note that despite lacking the visual refinements of modern pinball games, the simplistic nature of the table design means you can give high-score chasing your full attention without distractions. The ball physics are respectable enough that you never lose a game through anything but your own fault.

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