Playtime

Playtime is a ball-and-paddle game released by Midway Mfg in 1974. It's a variation on the game Pong with a number of additional features, including a set of joysticks for controlling the paddles.

Gameplay[edit]

The gameplay is similar to Pong, where two players compete to bypass their opponent and score points. By default, a player must score eleven points to win, but the game also has a time limit of five minutes before it would end the game. At the base of the game's bezel, a switch allows the player to increase the overall speed of the ball. When the ball is served to the loser of the last point, they will only be served after remaining stationary for a period of time.

The format of the screen is different than Pong, featuring visible vertical boundaries. The player's joystick allows them to move anywhere in their half of the screen, enabling unique return volleys. Score markers for each player appear at the start of each round inside the court, then disappear before the ball is served; this was advertised as a non-invasive game feature.