"Mousin' Around!", a solid-state electronic pinball machine from Bally Manufacturing Co., arrived in December 1989, just as the System 11 era was nearing its peak. Designed by Ward Pemberton, known for his earlier work on Fathom, "Mousin' Around!" offered a lighthearted, cartoon-inspired theme centered on mischievous mice outwitting a cigar-chomping human antagonist. Pat McMahon crafted the distinctive artwork, while Jim Strompolis handled the software, Greg Tastad engineered the mechanical elements, and Dan Forden composed the music and sound effects.

The machine's production run, spanning from November 20, 1989, to January 29, 1990, yielded 2,996 units. The first units began shipping on November 22, 1989. As a System 11B title, it built upon a robust and widely adopted platform, aiming for accessible gameplay wrapped in a whimsical package. Bally marketed the machine with slogans like "Grab Profits by the Tail!" and "So You Wanna Mouse Around?", signaling its playful, inviting nature intended for a broad audience.

Signature Features and Design

"Mousin' Around!" distinguishes itself with several unique mechanical features that directly integrate with its theme. The most notable are the "mouse trap" ball lock mechanisms, which serve as clever and tactile ways to secure balls for multiball. These physical traps, designed to mimic a classic mousetrap, spring shut to capture the ball, adding a satisfying mechanical feedback to the player's progression. Complementing this is the "mouse hole" shot, an engaging target that also feeds into the machine's objectives.

A central element of the playfield is the motorized drop target bank. This three-target bank, when hit in sequence, lowers to reveal a small ramp. This ramp then feeds the ball back to the right flipper, creating a distinct and repeatable shot opportunity. This mechanical action, where a target bank physically transforms into a ramp access point, showcases the ingenuity common in System 11 designs.

The machine's aesthetic, crafted by Pat McMahon, embraces a vibrant, cartoonish style. The playfield and translite depict anthropomorphic mice engaged in various antics, often clashing with their human foil. This highly stylized, whimsical artwork, while consistent with the playful theme, generated varied opinions among players. The backbox translite, illuminated by flashlamps, dynamically indicates the jackpot value, guiding the player's attention during multiball sequences. Dan Forden's contributions to music and sound provide an upbeat, catchy soundtrack and a set of custom speech callouts that align with the lighthearted theme, enhancing the overall auditory experience.

Playfield and Mechanics

The playfield of "Mousin' Around!" is structured for a fast, flowing game, characteristic of many System 11 titles. It features two standard flippers, three pop bumpers, and two slingshots that contribute to ball movement and scoring. Three ramps dominate the upper playfield: an outer left ramp, an outer right ramp, and the aforementioned center ramp, accessible after lowering the drop target bank.

The core of the playfield layout emphasizes repeatable shots and a sense of progression. The outer ramps provide satisfying loop shots, feeding the ball back to the flippers for continuous action. The left orbit shot, while sometimes challenging, adds another dimension to the flow. Two captive balls are strategically placed, offering skill-based targets for additional scoring opportunities. The design philosophy encourages players to maintain control and hit precise shots to advance through the game's objectives. The presence of a kickback on the left outlane provides a momentary reprieve, adding a layer of forgiveness to the fast-paced gameplay. The playfield's visual design is cohesive with the cabinet and translite, portraying a bustling, vibrant world of mice navigating household perils. The artwork features clear shot indicators and thematic elements that guide the player's eye and reinforce the narrative.

Gameplay Dynamics

"Mousin' Around!" prioritizes accessible and engaging gameplay over complex rule sets, making it appealing to both novice players and enthusiasts seeking a quick, enjoyable game. The primary objective often revolves around achieving multiball. This is initiated by locking balls in the unique mouse trap mechanisms, building anticipation for the chaotic multi-ball play. Once multiball commences, players aim to hit various high-value shots, including the jackpot indicated on the translite, for significant scoring.

Another central scoring opportunity involves the motorized center drop target bank. Three successive hits to these targets cause them to retract, opening a path to a small ramp. Each subsequent hit on this newly revealed ramp scores 100,000 points, creating a high-reward shot that encourages precise aiming. The game's progression is largely driven by these key objectives, rewarding consistent shot accuracy. While the rule depth may not be extensive, the focus on satisfying shots and a rapid pace creates a compelling "one more game" experience. The game challenges players to refine their flipper skills to consistently hit the ramps and navigate the playfield, especially the sometimes-tricky outer left ramp and the often-demanding "mouse hole" shot.

Reception and Legacy

"Mousin' Around!" garnered a largely positive reception within the pinball community, often described as a surprisingly fun and underrated System 11 title. Its fast pace, fluid shot flow, and innovative mechanical features, particularly the mouse trap ball locks and the transforming center ramp, were frequently praised for enhancing gameplay and providing a unique tactile experience. Players often highlighted the game's addictive nature and its capacity to evoke a "one more game" sentiment, attributing this to its satisfying shots and engaging, albeit straightforward, objectives. The upbeat music and sound effects, crafted by Dan Forden, consistently received positive comments for fitting the theme and contributing to the machine's overall cheerful ambiance. Many also recognized its suitability as a family-friendly game due to its lighthearted theme and accessible gameplay.

However, the machine was not without its criticisms. The most significant point of contention revolved around its artwork. The highly stylized, cartoon-like aesthetic, while consistent with its whimsical theme, proved divisive, with some players describing it as simplistic or less visually appealing compared to other titles of the era. Another common point of feedback, especially from more experienced players, was the perceived lack of deep rules. This simplicity, while contributing to its pick-up-and-play appeal, could lead to a sense of repetitiveness in smaller collections or during extended play sessions. Furthermore, optimal gameplay, particularly hitting the ramps and certain precision shots, was heavily reliant on strong flippers, with weak flippers often leading to frustration.

Despite these points of discussion, "Mousin' Around!" maintains a solid reputation within the pinball community. Its comparatively lower production numbers meant it sometimes flew under the radar, leading many to consider it a "secret gem" among System 11 machines. It stands as an example of Bally's ability to integrate unique mechanical features seamlessly into gameplay, providing an engaging experience that prioritizes fun and flow. Its influence can be seen in the continued emphasis on inventive mechanical toys and accessible rules in subsequent pinball designs, affirming its place as a memorable and enjoyable entry in the System 11 catalog.