Multimorphic Portal Pinball Machine: Difference between revisions

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{{Cleanup|reason=Article may benefit from a more concise overview typical of third-party merchandise pages on the wiki.|date=March 2025}}
{{Cleanup|reason=Article may benefit from a more concise overview typical of third-party merchandise pages on the wiki.|date=March 2025}}
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[[File:Multimorphic Portal Pinball Machine.png|frameless|right|150px]]


[[File:Multimorphic Portal Pinball Machine.png|right|thumb|300px|The Portal Pinball P³ Module]]
'''Portal Pinball''' is a physical [[w:pinball|pinball]] game developed by Multimorphic, Inc. for the P³ Pinball Platform. Released in 2025 as an official collaboration with Valve, the game utilizes modular hardware to combine a 1080p dynamic floor display with a physical playfield.


'''Portal Pinball''' is a licensed physical [[w:pinball|pinball]] game developed by Multimorphic, Inc. for the **P³ Pinball Platform**. Released in late 2024, the game is an official collaboration with **Valve**, featuring original voice acting, music, and assets from the ''Portal'' series.  
The machine is notable for its application of Aperture Science-themed hardware, including 10 RGB-illuminated physical portals and a unique "Momentum Jump" ramp system that replicates the kinetic properties of the Enrichment Center.


Unlike traditional mechanical pinball machines, ''Portal'' utilizes the P³’s modular technology, which combines a physical upper playfield with a dynamic 1080p floor display. This allows the game to simulate "portalling" the ball between different physical locations on the board—a mechanic central to the source material.
== Technology and "Portal" Mechanics ==
The defining feature of the machine is its ability to simulate instantaneous travel. While traditional pinball machines are limited by the travel time of a single ball, the P³ platform utilizes a 16-ball storage system located directly beneath the upper playfield.
 
When a ball enters a physical portal, the game "captures" that ball and simultaneously launches a new ball from a hidden trough at the corresponding exit portal. This allows for:
 
'''Momentum Conservation:''' The game tracks the entry speed of the ball and uses high-speed solenoids to launch the exit ball at a matching velocity.
 
'''Simultaneous Portals:''' The large ball count allows for multiple objects to be in flight through different portal pairs during complex multiball modes.
 
== Features ==
The game is structured around the P³ platform's modularity, utilizing a swappable upper module and an optional extension kit.
 
=== Upper Playfield Module ===
The Upper Playfield Module is the mechanical core of the game. It includes:
 
'''The LOFT (Library of Failed Tests):''' A specific upper-right sub-section of the module. It houses a portal to the Companion Cube Ball Lock, which physically archives balls on a metal grating for multiball initialization. In Chamber 4 ("It Takes Two"), the LOFT is utilized to incinerate the Companion Cube.
+1
 
'''Angled Panel Portal:''' A specialized ramp requiring the player to build enough momentum to clear a physical gap into one of three landing zones: the pit, the lower landing zone, or the upper grating. Maximum momentum launches the ball into the upper grating for a high-score bonus.
 
'''Aerial Faith Plate:''' A high-powered solenoid diverter that launches the ball across the playfield into the Companion Cube Ball Lock.
 
'''Sentry Turret:''' A motorized, rotating sculpt (mounted on the back of the Reggie sculpt) with synchronized lighting. It "fires" digital bullets at an on-screen ball to signify that the time window for locking a ball for Turret Factory Multiball is closing.
 
== Multiball Modes ==
When in "The Hub," players can qualify and stack three primary multiball modes. These modes feature "add-a-ball" components and can be played simultaneously with Hub Objectives.
+1
 
'''Faith Plate Multiball:''' Triggered by successfully utilizing the Aerial Faith Plate to lock balls in the back grating. Focuses on high-speed launches and upper-playfield jackpots.
 
'''Turret Multiball:''' Activated via the Turret Control Center. During this mode, the Reggie sculpt rotates to reveal the Sentry Turret, which tracks the balls and "fires" to award jackpots.
 
'''Edgeless Safety Cube Multiball:''' A mode focused on the game's scoop portals and lower playfield interactive art.
 
== Characters ==
[[File:Reggie_Core_Pinball.jpg|thumb|left|200px|Reggie as seen on the translite.]]
=== Reggie ===
Reggie is an original [[Core|personality core]] created specifically for ''Portal Pinball'', voiced by Marc Silk. He is designated as the "Teambuilding" Core and serves as the player's primary guide, offering nervous encouragement and directing testing protocols.
 
On the physical playfield, Reggie is represented by an animated, rotating sculpt. During standard gameplay, Reggie "watches" the ball and reacts to hits with physical movement and eye animations on the screen. When specific modes are triggered (such as Turret Multiball), the sculpt rotates 180 degrees to reveal the hidden Sentry Turret mechanism.
+1
 
=== GLaDOS ===
Voiced by [[Ellen McLain]], GLaDOS provides the machine's primary commentary. She supervises the player's progress through the Hub and administers the test chambers with her signature passive-aggressive taunts.


== Gameplay ==
== Gameplay ==
The game is structured around "**The Hub**," a central laboratory area from which players access various Test Chambers. Gameplay is characterized by high-flow shots and the "re-routing" of the ball through a network of 10 RGB-illuminated physical portals and 6 scoop portals.
Gameplay begins in "the Hub" (based on the Cooperative Testing Initiative location), where players navigate toward seven unique Test Chambers:
 
'''The Big Fling'''
 
'''Encouragement via Discouragement'''


=== Test Chambers and Objectives ===
'''Proactive Energy Redirection'''
Players must progress through seven unique **Test Chambers**, each themed after iconic mechanics from the video games:
* '''Gels:''' Utilizing Propulsion, Repulsion, and Conversion gels to alter ball physics via the floor screen.
* '''Thermal Discouragement Beams:''' Using the flippers to redirect digital lasers into physical sensors.
* '''The Hub:''' A central mode where players must complete eight distinct objectives to unlock three stackable Multiball modes.


The ultimate "**Wizard Mode**" (the game's final challenge) requires the player to bypass Aperture's security protocols for a final confrontation with [[GLaDOS]].
'''It Takes Two'''


== Hardware and Editions ==
'''Shortcuts'''
The game is sold as a modular kit that slides into the P³ cabinet. It is available in two distinct configurations:


{| class="wikitable" style="width:100%;"
'''Gels'''
! Feature !! Portal Standard !! Portal Extended
|-
| '''Flipper Count''' || 3 || 4
|-
| '''Ball Locks''' || Companion Cube LOFT || Companion Cube LOFT
|-
| '''Special Toys''' || Rotating Turret || Rotating Turret + Hard Light Bridge
|-
| '''Additional Mechanics''' || N/A || Physical Spinner, Gel Tube Kickback, Catwalks
|}


=== The "LOFT" Upper Playfield ===
'''Rat Man's Den'''
[[File:Multimorphic Portal Pinball Machine Upper Playfield.jpg|thumb|left|250px|The LOFT Module detail.]]
Both editions feature a sophisticated upper playfield module. Key mechanical features include:
* '''Companion Cube Lock:''' A physical mechanism that "archives" the ball for multiball starts.
* '''Aerial Faith Plate:''' A high-powered diverter that launches the ball across the playfield.
* '''Sentry Turret:''' A motorized physical turret that tracks the ball's movement and "fires" using on-screen digital effects.


== Audio and Production ==
The ultimate goal is to complete all Chambers to unlock the final Wizard Mode: a face-to-face battle with GLaDOS.
To maintain the authenticity of the Aperture Science aesthetic, Multimorphic utilized original assets and voice talent.


* '''GLaDOS:''' [[Ellen McLain]] reprises her role, delivering context-specific taunts based on player performance and failure.
== Gallery ==
* '''Reggie:''' A new [[Core|personality core]] voiced by Marc Silk. Reggie guides the player through the Hub and offers objectives.
<gallery mode="packed" caption="Portal Pinball Elements">
* '''Soundtrack:''' Includes dynamic remixes of "Still Alive" and "Want You Gone" that shift in intensity based on game progress.
File:Multimorphic Portal Pinball Machine Extension.jpg|The Main Game Module featuring Reggie, The Arial Faith Plate, and the LOFT.
File:Multimorphic Portal Pinball Machine Upper Playfield.jpg|The LOFT and Companion Cube ball lock mechanism.
File:Portal_Pinball_Reggie_Turret.jpg|Reggie sculpt rotating to reveal the Sentry Turret.
File:Portal_Pinball_GLaDOS_Battle.jpg|The final Wizard Mode encounter with GLaDOS on the virtual translite.
</gallery>


== External links ==
== External links ==
* [https://www.multimorphic.com/portal/ Official Portal Pinball Product Page]
 
* [https://p3-pinball.com/ P³ Platform Overview]
[https://www.multimorphic.com/portal/ Portal on the Multimorphic website]


[[Category:Merchandise]]
[[Category:Merchandise]]
[[Category:Multimorphic Portal Pinball Machine| ]]
[[Category:Multimorphic Portal Pinball Machine| ]]

Latest revision as of 17:11, 19 February 2026

Portal Pinball is a physical pinball game developed by Multimorphic, Inc. for the P³ Pinball Platform. Released in 2025 as an official collaboration with Valve, the game utilizes modular hardware to combine a 1080p dynamic floor display with a physical playfield.

The machine is notable for its application of Aperture Science-themed hardware, including 10 RGB-illuminated physical portals and a unique "Momentum Jump" ramp system that replicates the kinetic properties of the Enrichment Center.

Technology and "Portal" Mechanics

The defining feature of the machine is its ability to simulate instantaneous travel. While traditional pinball machines are limited by the travel time of a single ball, the P³ platform utilizes a 16-ball storage system located directly beneath the upper playfield.

When a ball enters a physical portal, the game "captures" that ball and simultaneously launches a new ball from a hidden trough at the corresponding exit portal. This allows for:

Momentum Conservation: The game tracks the entry speed of the ball and uses high-speed solenoids to launch the exit ball at a matching velocity.

Simultaneous Portals: The large ball count allows for multiple objects to be in flight through different portal pairs during complex multiball modes.

Features

The game is structured around the P³ platform's modularity, utilizing a swappable upper module and an optional extension kit.

Upper Playfield Module

The Upper Playfield Module is the mechanical core of the game. It includes:

The LOFT (Library of Failed Tests): A specific upper-right sub-section of the module. It houses a portal to the Companion Cube Ball Lock, which physically archives balls on a metal grating for multiball initialization. In Chamber 4 ("It Takes Two"), the LOFT is utilized to incinerate the Companion Cube. +1

Angled Panel Portal: A specialized ramp requiring the player to build enough momentum to clear a physical gap into one of three landing zones: the pit, the lower landing zone, or the upper grating. Maximum momentum launches the ball into the upper grating for a high-score bonus.

Aerial Faith Plate: A high-powered solenoid diverter that launches the ball across the playfield into the Companion Cube Ball Lock.

Sentry Turret: A motorized, rotating sculpt (mounted on the back of the Reggie sculpt) with synchronized lighting. It "fires" digital bullets at an on-screen ball to signify that the time window for locking a ball for Turret Factory Multiball is closing.

Multiball Modes

When in "The Hub," players can qualify and stack three primary multiball modes. These modes feature "add-a-ball" components and can be played simultaneously with Hub Objectives. +1

Faith Plate Multiball: Triggered by successfully utilizing the Aerial Faith Plate to lock balls in the back grating. Focuses on high-speed launches and upper-playfield jackpots.

Turret Multiball: Activated via the Turret Control Center. During this mode, the Reggie sculpt rotates to reveal the Sentry Turret, which tracks the balls and "fires" to award jackpots.

Edgeless Safety Cube Multiball: A mode focused on the game's scoop portals and lower playfield interactive art.

Characters

Reggie as seen on the translite.

Reggie

Reggie is an original personality core created specifically for Portal Pinball, voiced by Marc Silk. He is designated as the "Teambuilding" Core and serves as the player's primary guide, offering nervous encouragement and directing testing protocols.

On the physical playfield, Reggie is represented by an animated, rotating sculpt. During standard gameplay, Reggie "watches" the ball and reacts to hits with physical movement and eye animations on the screen. When specific modes are triggered (such as Turret Multiball), the sculpt rotates 180 degrees to reveal the hidden Sentry Turret mechanism. +1

GLaDOS

Voiced by Ellen McLain, GLaDOS provides the machine's primary commentary. She supervises the player's progress through the Hub and administers the test chambers with her signature passive-aggressive taunts.

Gameplay

Gameplay begins in "the Hub" (based on the Cooperative Testing Initiative location), where players navigate toward seven unique Test Chambers:

The Big Fling

Encouragement via Discouragement

Proactive Energy Redirection

It Takes Two

Shortcuts

Gels

Rat Man's Den

The ultimate goal is to complete all Chambers to unlock the final Wizard Mode: a face-to-face battle with GLaDOS.

Portal on the Multimorphic website