Multimorphic Portal Pinball Machine
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Portal Pinball is a physical pinball game developed by Multimorphic, Inc. for the P³ Pinball Platform. Released in 2024 as an official collaboration with Valve, it utilizes modular hardware to integrate 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 Portal Pinball 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 module.
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 system 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.
Visual Continuity: The floor screen provides a digital trail connecting the physical entry and exit points.
Hardware and Editions
The game is available as a swappable Game Kit that can be installed in any P³ cabinet.
Upper Playfield Module (The LOFT)
The upper third of the machine is the primary playfield module, which includes:
The LOFT (Library of Failed Tests): A dedicated upper-right area where balls are sent via portal. It features the Companion Cube Ball Lock, which physically archives balls on a metal grating for multiball initialization.
Aerial Faith Plate: A high-powered solenoid that launches the ball into a dedicated landing zone.
Sentry Turret: A motorized, rotating sculpt that features synchronized lighting and fires digital bullets at the ball as it passes.
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, Lower Landing, or Upper Grating).
Portal Module Extension (Extended Edition)
The Extended Edition includes an additional hardware kit that floats over the center of the LCD screen, adding:
Hard Light Bridge: An elevated cross-playfield bridge that facilitates ball transfers between the left and right flipper returns.
Fourth Flipper: A dedicated side-target flipper located on the left side of the playfield.
Gel Tube Kickback: A hidden physical mechanism that saves the ball from the outlane.
Physical Spinner and Catwalks: Additional decorated ramps and targets.
Trivia
Voice Continuity: This is one of the few licensed productions to feature brand-new recorded dialogue from Ellen McLain (GLaDOS).
Reggie the Core: The personality core Reggie was created specifically for this game to act as a "Team Building" guide, a role similar to the Cooperative Testing Initiative.
The Cake: References to the cake are hidden throughout the playfield art and digital display modes.
Mechanical Complexity: At the time of its release, Portal was the most mechanically complex module ever developed for the P³ platform.
Gallery
- Hardware and Gameplay Visuals
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The Standard Edition layout featuring the 3-flipper configuration.
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The Extended Module featuring the Hard Light Bridge and fourth flipper. -
Detail view of the Sentry Turret and Companion Cube in the LOFT. -
Example of the 1080p display showing the Repulsion Gel interactive art.
