# New Williams Tales of the Arabian Nights Video Mode

**Source:** Knapp Arcade  
**Type:** article  
**Published:** 2022-03-16  
**Beat:** Pinball

**URL:** https://www.knapparcade.org/new-williams-tales-of-the-arabian-nights-video-mode

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## Analysis

Knapp Arcade reports on a newly discovered video mode for a Tales of the Arabian Nights 2.0 upgrade kit, inspired by Disney's Aladdin platformer. The mode was coded by the TOTAN programmer approximately one month prior. Micro Playfields is expected to launch the 2.0 kit at Texas Pinball Festival, though official confirmation of the video mode's inclusion remains unconfirmed.

### Key Claims

- [HIGH] A new video mode for Tales of the Arabian Nights 2.0 has been created by the game's programmer — _Article explicitly states footage exists of the new video mode being tested and coded_
- [HIGH] The new video mode was inspired by Disney's Aladdin platformer console game — _Author states the mode was 'inspired by the popular home console platformer, Disney's Aladdin'_
- [MEDIUM] The video mode was created approximately one month before the article was written — _Author notes the programmer 'added to his version of the game about a month ago'_
- [MEDIUM] Micro Playfields plans to launch Tales of the Arabian Nights 2.0 kits at Texas Pinball Festival — _Author states Micro Playfields 'plans to launch at the Texas Pinball Festival' but hedges with 'I suspect'_
- [HIGH] Official announcement has not been made regarding whether the video mode will be included in the 2.0 kit — _Author explicitly states 'No official announcement has been made on whether this mode will be an official part'_

### Notable Quotes

> "Apparently, the mode was inspired by the popular home console platformer, Disney's Aladdin."
> — **Knapp Arcade (author)**
> _Clarifies the design inspiration for the new video mode_

> "No official announcement has been made on whether this mode will be an official part of the new 2.0 kits that Mirco Playfields plans to launch at the Texas Pinball Festival, but I suspect that it will be."
> — **Knapp Arcade (author)**
> _Indicates uncertainty about official inclusion; author is speculating based on timing_

### Entities

| Name | Type | Context |
|------|------|---------|
| Tales of the Arabian Nights | game | Williams pinball classic receiving a 2.0 upgrade kit with new video mode |
| Micro Playfields | company | Developer/publisher of Tales of the Arabian Nights 2.0 upgrade kit, planning Texas Pinball Festival launch |
| Texas Pinball Festival | event | Scheduled venue for Micro Playfields' planned Tales of the Arabian Nights 2.0 kit launch |
| Disney's Aladdin | product | Home console platformer that inspired the new TOTAN 2.0 video mode design |
| Knapp Arcade | organization | Source reporting on the new TOTAN 2.0 video mode discovery |

### Topics

- **Primary:** 2.0 upgrade kits for classic pinball games, Tales of the Arabian Nights modern enhancements, Video mode design and game inspiration
- **Secondary:** Texas Pinball Festival announcements, Pinball game customization and homebrew modifications

### Sentiment

**Positive** (0.8) — Author expresses excitement ('excited by the recent surprise announcement') and presents the new video mode as a noteworthy discovery. Tone is enthusiastic about the enhancement to a classic game.

### Signals

- **[design_philosophy]** New video mode design incorporates platformer game inspiration (Disney's Aladdin), expanding thematic gameplay beyond original mechanics (confidence: high) — Author explicitly states the mode was 'inspired by the popular home console platformer, Disney's Aladdin'
- **[event_signal]** Texas Pinball Festival positioned as venue for official launch/announcement of Tales of the Arabian Nights 2.0 (confidence: medium) — Author states Micro Playfields 'plans to launch at the Texas Pinball Festival' though hedged as speculation
- **[product_strategy]** Tales of the Arabian Nights receiving 2.0 upgrade kit with video mode additions, modernizing classic game (confidence: high) — Micro Playfields confirmed to be launching TOTAN 2.0 kits at Texas Pinball Festival; new video mode created by programmer

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## Transcript

The pinball world has been excited by the recent surprise announcement of a 2.0 upgrade kit for Williams Tales of the Arabian Nights pinball. I recently came across footage of a new video mode that the programmer of TOTAN "the forgotten tales" added to his version of the game about a month ago. Apparently, the mode was inspired by the popular home console platformer, Disney's Aladdin. No official announcement has been made on whether this mode will be an official part of the new 2.0 kits that Mirco Playfields plans to launch at the Texas Pinball Festival, but I suspect that it will be.

Here's video of the new TOTAN 2.0 video mode being tested for the first time, being coded, and several screen grabs of it in action.

Here's a look at the video game that inspired the new TOTAN mode:

_(Acquisition: raw_text, Enrichment: v1)_

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*Exported from Journalist Tool on 2026-04-13 | Item ID: 87987a6d-4c43-4eac-8e78-4b91d610a10a*