"Cyclopes" from Game Plan, Inc., released in October 1985, emerged from a dynamic period in pinball manufacturing. With Roger Sharpe at the helm of its design and Seamus McLaughlin contributing the artwork, this machine represented a specific vision for solid-state pinball. Only 400 units were produced, a limited run that, in part, contributes to its current standing. Its theme delves into a realm of monsters and mythology, centering around the colossal, one-eyed Cyclops, a creature of ancient tales.

The development of "Cyclopes" saw Roger Sharpe apply his design insights to the Game Plan MPU-2 system, while Rehman Merchant handled the software, bringing the game's mechanics and rules to life. A notable piece of trivia connected to the machine is the appearance of both Roger Sharpe and his wife on the backglass. Sharpe is depicted as the rider on a horse at the right, while his wife is shown within the clutches of the Cyclops at the center, a personal touch embedded within the machine's fantastical artwork. Curiously, the machine's title itself contains a misspelling, "Cyclopes" instead of "Cyclops," a minor yet distinctive oddity from its production. The machine’s release marked a moment for Game Plan, a manufacturer navigating the competitive landscape of the mid-1980s pinball industry.

Signature Features and Design

"Cyclopes" distinguishes itself with several unique elements that contribute to its gameplay and overall character. Central to its design is a physical ringing bell housed within the cabinet. This bell serves as an audible alert, signifying the start of two-ball multiball and announcing scoring milestones as players reach one million, two million, and subsequent points. This tactile and auditory feedback enhances the thrill of achieving these game states, providing a more visceral experience than sound effects alone.

Another distinctive design choice is the replacement of the conventional left slingshot with a pop bumper. This unconventional placement dramatically alters ball trajectories and requires players to adapt their strategies, creating unpredictable deflections and increasing the challenge in the lower playfield area. The machine also features three flippers, providing varied shot opportunities and control. Two significant banks of four-bank drop targets are present, each backed by a stand-up target, requiring precision to clear both sets. Two spinning targets offer high-scoring opportunities, particularly when lit, and two kick-out holes add to the variety of interactive elements. A captive ball, referred to as a "messenger ball," presents a challenging long shot, crucial for advancing specific game objectives. The visual identity of "Cyclopes" is defined by its artwork, which, while distinct, has elicited varied responses over time. The "seizure-vision flashers" scattered across the playfield also contribute to the machine's distinctive visual flair, drawing attention with their rapid, intense illumination.

Playfield and Mechanics

The "Cyclopes" playfield layout creates an engaging flow, often described as feeling like a widebody machine despite its normal cabinet dimensions. This perception stems from the density of interactive elements packed into its space, which contributes to its fast-paced gameplay. The top of the playfield houses three pop bumpers, creating a chaotic yet satisfying area for ball action, feeding into various shot opportunities.

Below these, two sets of four-bank drop targets define key shot sequences. Each drop target bank is designed with a stand-up target positioned directly behind it. This setup necessitates hitting the drop targets first to expose and then hit the stand-up targets, creating a two-stage objective that adds depth to the shot-making. Successfully clearing these banks is crucial for progressing through the game and earning rewards.

Two long, satisfying spinner shots are strategically placed, one of which leads to a lock hole. The captive ball, a challenging long shot from the lower flippers, advances the "eyes" inserts, a separate scoring objective that demands precise aim. Two kick-out holes provide momentary pauses in play and set up controlled returns to the flippers. The playfield also incorporates an unusually angled outlane, demanding sharper flipper control and adding an element of risk to every shot.

Visually, the playfield is adorned with artwork by Seamus McLaughlin, depicting a fantastical world of monsters, mythical beasts, and a medieval village setting. While the playfield art largely supports the theme, the backglass artwork is a frequent point of discussion. Its depiction of the Cyclops and other creatures, including Roger Sharpe's wife in the Cyclops's grasp, is often characterized as campy or amateurish, yet it undeniably contributes to the machine's unique visual identity, making it immediately recognizable. The lighting scheme, particularly the "seizure-vision flashers," contributes to the machine's overall aesthetic, creating an intense visual spectacle during high-scoring moments and multiball.

Gameplay Dynamics

"Cyclopes" features gameplay dynamics that are deceptively simple yet offer surprising depth for a machine of its era. The primary progression revolves around systematically knocking down the two banks of drop targets and hitting the stand-up targets behind them. Completing these banks is essential for qualifying extra balls and advancing bonus multipliers, incentivizing players to focus on these precision shots. The two spinning targets, particularly when lit, provide opportunities for accumulating high scores, especially during multiball phases where their value doubles.

The machine’s two-ball multiball is a core gameplay feature, triggered by locking two balls. Upon activation, the physical bell inside the cabinet rings, and scoring is doubled, creating a high-energy, high-reward period of play. This mode encourages aggressive play and quick reactions, as players attempt to maximize points while managing two balls simultaneously.

A particularly unique aspect of "Cyclopes" is the "Monster Bonus" timed round, designed specifically for multi-player games. At the conclusion of regular play, the player with the highest score is awarded this bonus round. The machine erupts with the bell, knocker, and flashers, along with a flashing score display, signaling the start of this special mode. The Monster Bonus begins with a 60-second timer, during which the player has unlimited balls. Time can be extended by completing drop target banks, adding a strategic layer to what becomes a high-stakes, time-limited scoring frenzy. Successfully maximizing this bonus round is challenging but can significantly impact a player's final score, offering a compelling risk-reward scenario. The Game Plan MSU3 sound board allows for simultaneous sounds, contributing to the rich auditory experience, though the background heartbeat sound during gameplay is often noted as being too quiet.

Reception and Legacy

"Cyclopes" has largely garnered a highly positive reception within the pinball community, consistently described as an enjoyable, well-designed, and significantly underrated machine, especially considering its vintage. Its strengths are numerous and frequently highlighted by enthusiasts. Players praise its varied and engaging gameplay, often noting it contains "a little bit of everything" that makes a pinball experience compelling. The unique playfield layout, particularly the feeling of it being a widebody that paradoxically plays faster, is a common point of appreciation. The challenging shot sequences, especially those involving the drop targets with stand-ups behind them, provide a deep level of satisfaction. The ruleset, while simple to grasp, is recognized for its hidden depth, encouraging repeated plays as players refine their strategies. The placement of a pop bumper in lieu of the left slingshot is frequently lauded as a clever design choice that enhances the game's unique character and challenge.

The two-ball multiball, coupled with the distinctive physical bell alarm that signifies its activation, is a universally loved feature, adding an exciting dimension to play. The "Monster Bonus" in multi-player games is particularly singled out for its fun factor and competitive edge. The MSU3 sound board, allowing for simultaneous sounds, provides a robust auditory experience that was advanced for its time.

However, "Cyclopes" is not without its criticisms, almost universally directed at its artwork. The backglass, in particular, is frequently described with terms such as "godawful," "strange," or "amateurish," with its bizarre depictions of monsters and women often cited. While distinctive, this artistic direction remains a divisive element. The cabinet art has also received similar feedback. Another minor criticism occasionally mentioned is the subtlety of the background heartbeat sound, which some players find too quiet to notice during gameplay.

Despite these artistic critiques, "Cyclopes" maintains a strong legacy. Its limited production run of 400 units, largely due to Game Plan's eventual cessation of operations, has contributed to its rarity and, consequently, its underrated status. Many within the pinball community consider it one of the best early solid-state games, a testament to Roger Sharpe's design acumen. Its influence can be seen in its intelligent use of features like the lock mechanism, which borrowed from earlier, successful designs. "Cyclopes" stands as a significant, if less ubiquitous, machine in pinball history, widely recommended for play by anyone fortunate enough to encounter it.