# Hungary for Pinball **Source:** Pinball News Website **Type:** article **Published:** 2006-05-01 **Beat:** Pinball **URL:** https://www.pinballnews.com/news/goal.html --- ## Analysis A8 Audio, a Hungarian digital jukebox company, has released Goal Pinball, a video pinball arcade system featuring a 42-inch horizontal screen with single and head-to-head gameplay modes. The system includes multiple virtual pinball games (Viking Adventures, Soccer Pinball, Hockey, and 8-Ball pool) with innovative control schemes including side-mounted flippers, thumb buttons for nudge control, and post controls for sports games. ### Key Claims - [HIGH] Goal Pinball offers both single-player and head-to-head play with players standing at opposite ends — _Direct product description from A8 Audio representative and article content_ - [MEDIUM] Goal Pinball features the best quality and most life-like graphics in the video pinball category — _Quote from Norbert Konkoly, A8 Audio representative; subjective marketing claim_ - [HIGH] The game is priced at 4,890 Euros — _Explicitly stated in article pricing section_ - [HIGH] Viking Adventures is a six-flipper game with combo awards, three ramps, video mode, and upper playfield — _Direct game specifications provided in article_ - [HIGH] Soccer Pinball is modeled after Alvin G's AG Football and Williams' Joust — _Explicit design inspiration references in article_ ### Notable Quotes > "the quality (resolution and design) is- I can say- the best and the most life-like so far in the category and looks spectacular" > — **Norbert Konkoly, A8 Audio**, May 1, 2006 > _Marketing claim about video pinball quality positioning relative to competitors like TAB Virtual Pinball and Global VR Ultracade_ > "Also, the games really look and sound a lot more life-like than they look in the screenshots. They must be seen and heard live." > — **Norbert Konkoly, A8 Audio**, May 1, 2006 > _Acknowledgment that screenshots cannot convey the full experience of the system_ ### Entities | Name | Type | Context | |------|------|---------| | A8 Audio | company | Hungarian games company known for Music Line digital jukeboxes; manufacturer of Goal Pinball video arcade system | | Goal Pinball | product | 42-inch horizontal screen video pinball arcade system featuring multiple games and multiplayer modes | | Norbert Konkoly | person | Representative of A8 Audio; spokesperson for Goal Pinball product | | Viking Adventures | game | Single-player virtual pinball game included in Goal Pinball system; six-flipper game with ramps and video modes | | Soccer Pinball | game | Two-player soccer-themed game within Goal Pinball system; players control flippers and field positions | | TAB Virtual Pinball | product | Competing video pinball system mentioned for market context | | Global VR Ultracade | product | Competing video pinball system with pinball offerings | | Alvin G | company | Historical pinball manufacturer referenced for AG Football game design inspiration | | Williams | company | Classic pinball manufacturer; Joust game cited as design inspiration for Soccer Pinball | ### Signals - **[market_signal]** A8 Audio emphasizes graphics quality and realism as key differentiators from competitors (TAB Virtual Pinball, Global VR Ultracade) (confidence: high) — Quote from Norbert Konkoly: 'the quality (resolution and design) is- I can say- the best and the most life-like so far in the category' - **[announcement]** A8 Audio officially announces Goal Pinball, a new video pinball arcade system with innovative multiplayer and control features (confidence: high) — Article dated May 1, 2006 covering new product release with detailed specifications and pricing - **[technology_signal]** Goal Pinball represents innovation in arcade cabinet orientation (horizontal 42-inch screen) and multi-player control schemes compared to existing video pinball systems (confidence: high) — Horizontal screen orientation with head-to-head play, side-mounted flippers, thumb-operated nudge buttons, joystick rocker button for pool game --- ## Transcript Story dated May 1, 2006 . Hungarian games company A8 Audio, best known for their Music Line series of digital jukeboxes, has brought out this new video pinball game - Goal Pinball. While there are other video pinball systems out there such as TAB's Virtual Pinball and Global VR's Ultracade pinball, Goal Pinball is unique in offering both single person play and head-to-head play with players standing at each end of the game. Based around a horizontally-mounted 42 inch screen, Goal Pinball features a number of different virtual pinball games designed to appeal to a range of players. The side mounted flipper buttons are supplemented by two thumb operated buttons to provide a virtual nudge to the game (and eventually tilt it). Although originally designed to use a 42" plasma display, the game is also available with an LCD screen of the same size, which is supposed to provide better resolution and reliability. The single player pinball game is called Viking Adventures. This six-flipper game features combo awards, three ramps, a video mode and an upper playfield along with a novel ball shooter wireform. Norbert Konkoly from A8 Audio told Pinball News how the game breaks new ground in term of its realism. He said "the quality (resolution and design) is- I can say- the best and the most life-like so far in the category and looks spectacular. Also, the games really look and sound a lot more life-like than they look in the screenshots. They must be seen and heard live." The second game is soccer-themed. It's designed as a two player game but if you prefer, the computer can be your opponent. Soccer Pinball comes in two varieties, the regular and a faster, snappier version. Players stand at opposite ends of the game and play it like the Alvin G's AG Football game or Williams' Joust, amongst others. Apart from the regular flippers, the players can also control posts around the playfield to act as attackers, defenders and goalies. If you prefer your sport like your beer, cold and frosty, there's also a hockey game. And finally, fans of the green baize can play 8-ball in the pool game. If you're wondering how two flipper buttons can give you the control you need to play pool, there is also an additional joystick-type red rocker button on top of the game. The game is priced at 4890 Euros an A8 Audio are hoping to promote and sell it around the world. More details and pictures can be found at the company's website www.digitalpinballmachines.com Back to the news index Back to the front page _(Acquisition: raw_text, Enrichment: v1)_ --- *Exported from Journalist Tool on 2026-06-06 | Item ID: ff186e7b-dbaa-4b19-9b38-f2c57fc6fc86*