Quickie Version
stop the tunnel on the 5000 value, then shoot the collect tunnel center stand-up all day.
Go-To Flipper
Balanced
Full Rules
Once the ball is in play, your goal is simple: shoot the center red stand-up target all day to collect tunnel value so long as the value is 3000 or more. If the tunnel is on 1000 or 2000, you’re usually better off shooting the ball towards the gate, if open, the collect bonus on the left [which shoots the ball back up top], or just shooting the ball up top towards the “start tunnel” saucers to change it. If your plunge fell into one of the start tunnel saucers, or the ball got there after rattling around in the bumpers, the tunnel value will stop again when you hit that center target, or when the ball goes into the “collect tunnel” pocket on the left side.
Ball control and soft flips are the keys here. Once you’ve hit the center target, which raises the center post, you want the ball to settle back down onto a flipper to repeat. The easiest way is to use dead bounces or drop catches to get the ball to settle into the hollow between the tip of a flipper and the center post. Once it’s there, use very light flipper taps to try to hop the ball across to the other flipper just high enough to let you cradle it, but not so hard that it goes up and away or triggers a slingshot. It’s delicate and requires patience. Breathe.
There are two “down post” white buttons near the tops of the slingshots. You want to avoid them. Also, don’t be caught off guard if the ball triggers one of them; be ready to flip or try for a trap.
While you can use the two “start tunnel” stand-up targets to the side of the center collect target to change the tunnel value, the rebounds off of those targets can be really risky, so I’d avoid them.
The two gates are useful, scoring both points and collect tunnel; take them if you get the chance, but don’t go out of your way shooting for them when you have a good tunnel value lit. Each of the two top saucers opens one of the gates.
Playfield Risk
The main thing worth doing is where most of your risk comes from, i.e. shooting the center stand-up target and, assuming you don’t miss, getting the ball to not rebound into an outlane or go crazy via the slingshots. Try to hit it close to the center so the rebound is back towards the center post or a flipper; hitting closer to the edge will direct the rebound towards an outlane or slingshot. Shots up top and balls falling from there after plunging or left chute kickouts all have the usual drain and slingshot risk, but you’ll have a bit more time to see these coming vs. center stand-up shots.
External Links
Machine Information

- Name
- Space Time
- Manufacturer
- Bally
- Year
- 1972
- Type
- em
- Display
- reels
- Players
- 4