Board 42: Arctic Preserve

This picture shows a couple of igloos standing on the surface of a frozen lake. A couple more can be seen in the background.

Level 1 (Clear 25 red pegs from 110 total - Pro target 600k)

The first design features curved lines representing the layers of ice blocks on the igloos, and more curves on the tops of the rocks, plus some loose round pegs.

Attempt #1 - No power ups. Score: 730,000 

• It seemed like quite a high pro target, and it looked like I was going to fall some way short of it. But I hung on with the final ball for long enough to get there.

Level 2 (Clear 25 red pegs from 114 total - Pro target 475k)

This design is mostly diamond-shaped pegs, some arranged into snowflake patterns.

Attempt #1 - No power ups. Score: 554,200 

• Another one I was struggling on, but came good in the endgame. I find lots of diamond-shaped pegs generally make for lots of awkward angles, but I got lucky here and made quite a few catches.

Level 3 (Clear 25 red pegs from 102 total - Pro target 400k)

This design features four fish separated by dotted horizontal lines. There are two slightly angled solid objects that look like icicles on their sides that move left and right at the top.

Attempt #1 - No power ups. Score: 348,280

• Two red pegs left at the end. This is a tricky layout. Although when it comes back for level 10 it will be a lot trickier. I'll add a laser ball.

Attempt #2 - Laser Ball. Score: 381,420

• I thought I had that one, but a completely unexpected bounce off a flat edged peg made me miss a catch. I guess I must have hit a corner, but it didn't look like it.

Attempt #3 - Laser Ball. Score: 503,050 

• I got it that time with eight balls to spare. It took me a few shots to get through to the yellow peg, but I caught most of them, so it wasn't a problem. I did well with the laser ball, and then made loads of catches off the remaining reds.

Level 4 (Clear 25 red pegs from 95 total - Pro target 450k)

This design features semi-circles over the roofs of the two igloos and the outlines of the doors. Plus there are lots of loose round pegs everywhere.

Attempt #1 - No power ups. Score: 370,880

• Two red pegs left at the end. I ought to be able to do better than that.

Attempt #2 - No power ups. Score: 276,980

• Worse than the last effort. Three red pegs left that time. I'll the laser ball again.

Attempt #3 - Laser Ball. Score: 564,810 

• It cost me three balls getting to the yellow peg, and then the rim bounce with the laser ball was ineffective. Despite all that, this layout fits my standard laser ball path quite well, so it scored a lot of points nonetheless, and it only left 10 red pegs to get with 7 balls. I didn't need to make many catches then, to finish it off. A good job too as I didn't make many catches in the mid-game. I had to make a few at the end as I tried to clear a path through to the last two.

Level 5 (Clear 25 red pegs from 127 total - Pro target 550k)

This design consists of 13 3x3 blocks of rectangular pegs, a bit like ice blocks in an igloo.

Attempt #1 - No power ups. Score: 536,300

• Nearly, but not quite a big enough score. I was trying to hold off taking the last red, but I was down to the last ball and running out of easy catches. In the end the red went off a deflection, and even the 100k final bucket wasn't enough for a pro score.

Attempt #2 - No power ups. Score: 342,550

• Not as good as the previous go. I'll add a laser ball which ought to help.

Attempt #3 - Laser Ball. Score: 793,970 

• I got the yellow peg with the first ball and did reasonably well with the laser ball. I had plenty of lives to play with after that, so I could play lots of purple pegs to keep the points ticking over. I kept going to get the total clearance.

Level 6 (Score 450k with 35 red pegs and 75 blue - Pro target 900k)

The same design as level 1, but with 10 more red pegs, 300k on the pro target, but just a score to go for this time.

Attempt #1 - Laser Ball. Score: 535,720

• I got the yellow peg straight away, but the standard route with the laser peg didn't seem to work very well. Then I just kept misjudging the angles with practically every shot.

Attempt #2 - Laser Ball. Score: 1,012,770 

• I got the yellow peg first ball again, but I went a different path with the laser ball which seemed to work a lot better. I had a few decent ricochets in the midgame, and then concentrated on picking off what was left one peg at a time. I took a total clearance for a seven figure score.

Level 7 (Clear 35 red pegs from 114 total, with only 9 balls - Pro target 550k)

The same design as level 2, but with 10 more red pegs, one less ball, and 75k on the pro target.

Attempt #1 - Laser Ball. Score: 535,070

• I did all the hard work and then messed up the final shot. I just had to get the last two red pegs with the final ball. They were close together, so it should have been easy, but I caught an odd angle on the first one and missed the second.

Attempt #2 - Laser Ball. Score: 577,380 

• I got the yellow peg with the first shot, then seemed to do OK with the laser ball, although it didn't actually score that much. I picked up a lot of bonuses after that, mostly off purple pegs. I didn't quite have the points to finish when I got down to my last ball, so I had to use a couple of easy catches off purple ones first.

Level 8 (Clear 45 red pegs from 95 total, with only 9 balls - Pro target 750k)

The same design as level 4, but with 20 more red pegs, one less ball, and 300k on the pro target.

Attempt #1 - Laser Ball. Score: 735,930

• I did about the best I could there, getting a complete clearance, but both balls finished in the 10k buckets and it wasn't enough. I fell about 15k short of the pro target.

Attempt #2 - Laser Ball. Score: 917,730 

• I thought I had little chance there are as the yellow peg was in a very awkward position, and it took about half of my balls to get through to it. I scored well with the laser ball though, getting a perfect rim bounce that landed back in the bucket. I went back to picking the reds off after that, and managed to finish in quite spectacular fashion, taking the last four red pegs with a single ball.

Level 9 (Clear ALL pegs - 25 red and 102 blue, with only 9 balls - Pro target 825k)

The same design as level 5, but with one less ball, 275k on the pro target, and a total clearance now needed.

Attempt #1 - Laser Ball. Score: 907,930 

• I didn't think I was going to be able to accrue enough points with that one. My score seemed quite low in the mid-game, but I took every opportunity to play pegs off the side wall in the endgame. I left a low central peg for last, and managed to play it off the side wall so the ball glanced off the side of it into the 100k bucket. The other ball found its way into the 50k bucket, but as it turned out 10k would have done.

Level 10 (Clear ALL pegs - 25 red and 77 blue, with only 9 balls and a 5s shot-clock - Pro target 750k)

The same design as level 3, but with one less ball, 350k on the pro target, a five second shot clock, and a total clearance now required. This level has a reputation for being probably the most difficult level of all 1100 or so so far produced. I've seen countless requests from other players for hints and tips on this level. I remember that it took me many many lives to get through it the first time, and that I finally got it using a laser ball and a Big Bounce. It will be interesting to see how many attempts it takes me this time.

Attempt #1 - Laser Ball & Big Bounce. Score: 446,760

• A 91% clearance. Actually not bad for a first attempt. First of many I strongly suspect.

Attempt #2 - Laser Ball & Big Bounce. Score: 284,880

• Only four pegs left, but a long long way away from the pro target. I hit the green peg before the yellow one which is generally disastrous on this level.

Attempt #3 - Laser Ball & Big Bounce. Score: 141,620

• A disastrous 78% clearance. I couldn't get to the yellow peg for ages and then I couldn't get a clean release of the laser ball between the moving plates. The Big Bounce then went OK but the damage was already done.

Attempt #4 - Laser Ball & Big Bounce. Score: 254,390

• Again, I failed to get a clean laser ball off, and that's pretty key to success here. There's just no hope of even approaching the pro target without a big score from the laser.

Attempt #5 - Laser Ball & Big Bounce. Score: 489,360

• Certainly the best attempt yet. Only two pegs left at the end. Of course, I still needed another 50k to even have a chance at the pro target, but still a good effort. I got the yellow peg on the first shot, and a rim bounce with the laser ball. The Big Bounce could have gone better.

Attempt #6 - Laser Ball & Big Bounce. Score: 723,030

• Ooooh, so close! If I could just have done slightly better with the final buckets I would have had it. I got a 10k and a 50k, so either two 50s or a 100k and anything else would have done.

Attempt #7 - Laser Ball & Big Bounce. Score: 484,280

• A 96% clearance, so another decent effort.

Attempt #8 - Laser Ball & Big Bounce. Score: 698,020

• Another pretty close one. I was helped by an extremely unorthodox laser ball which went all over the place flying off all sorts of strange angles. I got two 50k buckets at the end but would have needed to maximum 200k to hit the pro target.

Attempt #9 - Laser Ball & Big Bounce. Score: 644,030

• Another total clearance, but I should probably have tried harder to earn bonuses. I got two 50k bonuses at the end, but even a maximum 200k wouldn't have been enough for pro.

Attempt #10 - Laser Ball & Big Bounce. Score: 304,240

• I was blocked from getting a decent laser ball off, although it could have been a lot worse. I tried harder for bonuses but didn't get much luck with them. I never managed to get to the green peg which was right down the bottom. Only an 83% clearance.

Attempt #11 - Laser Ball & Big Bounce. Score: 572,270

• A total clearance again, but even more distant from the pro target. I got a 60k final bonus, so again, even the maximum 200k would have left me 40k short. I need to play around with laser ball angles a bit more. See if I can find a really good path for it.

Attempt #12 - Laser Ball & Big Bounce. Score: 541,610

• The score was a bit better, but I still had three pegs left at the end. The laser ball was blocked again which didn't help.

Attempt #13 - Laser Ball & Big Bounce. Score: 327,730

• Just an 86% clearance that time, mainly because the laser ball went disastrously wrong. It caught the moving slab at the top and missed the bucket altogether.

Attempt #14 - Laser Ball & Big Bounce. Score: 456,850

• A 94% clearance, but I was still just under 300k short of the pro target. The Big Bounce triggered before the laser and got blocked out.

Attempt #15 - Laser Ball & Big Bounce. Score: 250,610

• The laser ball was very wayward and the Big Bounce triggered when there were still too many pegs left.

Attempt #16 - Laser Ball & Big Bounce. Score: 277,680

• This level needs plenty of luck to get through and I just didn't get any there.

Attempt #17 - Laser Ball & Big Bounce. Score: 569,440

• Just one peg missed, and a score that was within range of the pro target with a decent final bonus, so a pretty good attempt. Certainly the closest for a while anyway.

Attempt #18 - Laser Ball & Big Bounce. Score: 459,820

• A total clearance, but it was fairly meaningless as the score was nowhere near pro level. Even a full 200k would have left me almost 200k short.

Attempt #19 - Laser Ball & Big Bounce. Score: 444,210

• I was struggling for both points and pegs in that one, so it was hard to know which to concentrate on. In the end I got neither.

Attempt #20 - Laser Ball & Big Bounce. Score: 340,200

• The laser ball was a disaster and recovering from that would have been practically impossible.

Attempt #21 - Laser Ball & Big Bounce. Score: 341,110

• The Big Bounce triggered before the laser ball and got trapped down the bottom. Just an 86% clearance.

Attempt #22 - Laser Ball & Big Bounce. Score: 297,050

• The laser ball was completely blocked by the moving slabs. I tried to squeeze past them but caught a deflection and missed the bucket entirely. I couldn't recover from that.

Attempt #23 - Laser Ball & Big Bounce. Score: 316,600

• The Big Bounce was ineffective, and I didn't get enough luck with the ricochets and bonuses.

Attempt #24 - Laser Ball & Big Bounce. Score: 612,520

• A total clearance, but not with a big enough score to give myself a chance at the pro target.

Attempt #25 - Laser Ball & Big Bounce. Score: 360,160

• The Big Bounce got trapped and I didn't get the luck required.

Attempt #26 - Laser Ball & Big Bounce. Score: 326,180

• The laser ball was blocked and ended up scoring very little.

Attempt #27 - Laser Ball & Big Bounce. Score: 405,310

• The laser ball was blocked again so I couldn't get the shot off that I wanted.

Attempt #28 - Laser Ball & Big Bounce. Score: 899,270 

• Gotcha! It's a relief to get that one out of the way. That was my 28th attempt and last one of the evening as I'd just run out of energy. I got a clone ball with the very first shot which scored me 150k straight off, and I caught one of them, so I had a pretty good start. I got the yellow peg with the second shot. The laser ball was blocked by the moving slabs, but I managed to find an angle at the last moment that took out most of the pegs on the left hand side and scored another 215k. I managed to keep the green peg in play until I only had 17 pegs left and my score was up to 537k.. The Big Bounce then took out 10 of them for a score of 95k. I now had 7 pegs left with four balls in hand and just 120k to go to the pro target, so I knew was just a few more catches or ricochets away from glory. I caught the next ball, got two pegs with the next, took one with the next and then caught another to leave two balls for two pegs and 60k to score. I got no further bonuses so I had to avoid a minimum 20k at the end. My heart was in my mouth as the balls bobbled about at the end, but they both went in the centre for a maximum 200k and I could breath again.

SUMMARY

Level	Reds	Pegs	Target	Balls	Clock	Pro	Attempts	Record	Average	Video
1	25	110	Reds	10	-	600k	1	730,000	730,000
2	25	114	Reds	10	-	475k	1	554,200	554,200
3	25	102	Reds	10	-	400k	3	503,050	410,916
4	25	95	Reds	10	-	450k	3	564,810	404,223
5	25	127	Reds	10	-	550k	3	793,970	557,606
6	35	110	450k	10	-	900k	2	1,012,770	774,245
7	35	114	Reds	9	-	550k	2	577,380	556,225
8	45	95	Reds	9	-	750k	2	917,730	826,830
9	25	127	All	9	-	825k	1	907,930	907,930
10	25	102	All	9	5s	750k	28	899,270	438,186

Board 113: Whaling Voyage

This rather interesting picture shows a whaling boat that somehow flies above the surface of the sea below. The tailfin of a huge whale can be seen breaking the surface of the choppy water beneath. A lighthouse shines from a rocky coastline on the right-hand side.

Level 1 (Clear 25 red pegs from 115 total - Pro target 450k)

The first design is of a rather cheerful looking whale floating high in a wavy sea.

Attempt #1 - No power ups. Score: 614,120 

• No problems with this one. Plenty of opportunities for bonuses from rebounds and sweeps. Catches weren't too difficult either.

Level 2 (Clear 25 red pegs from 103 total - Pro target 425k)

The second design follows the lines of the picture. Mainly the whale fin, the ship, the surface of the water, the land on the right, and the rays of the sun breaking through the clouds.

Attempt #1 - No power ups. Score: 362,940

• I'd been down to the final red peg for a while, but I was trying to build towards the pro target off the purple pegs when I ran out of balls.

Attempt #2 - No power ups. Score: 423,770

• I got the points this time, but couldn't clear the red pegs. I need to find a happy medium somewhere!

Attempt #3 - No power ups. Score: 368,520

• I wasn't picking up many bonuses that time so I was struggling for points. I did clear the red pegs that time though. I'll have one more go before I add a laser ball.

Attempt #4 - No power ups. Score: 393,990

• No, it's no use. The angles are just too awkward in this level. I'll use a laser ball.

Attempt #5 - Laser Ball. Score: 765,720 

• A lot easier with the laser ball. I cleared a large chunk of the pegs with it, then picked them off one or two at a time to get a total clearance

Level 3 (Clear 30 red pegs from 102 total - Pro target 425k)

The third design is of a huge tail fin surrounded by single pegs. There are a couple of teleport portals in the corners of the tail which transport to a high central receiver.

Attempt #1 - No power ups. Score: 842,550 

• I found this very easy indeed. The curves seem ideally situated for sweeping shots. The teleports weren't a major problem. I made a total clearance with balls to spare, and I wasn't really trying particularly hard.

Level 4 (Clear 30 red pegs from 131 total - Pro target 475k)

The fourth design is full of swirls like a choppy sea or a blustery wind.

Attempt #1 - No power ups. Score: 402,700

• Lots of tricky angles made catches quite tricky here, and they didn't seem to get any easier in the endgame. I think I'll go straight for a laser ball.

Attempt #2 - Laser Ball. Score: 662,930 

• Another one of those levels that become quite easy as soon as you add a laser ball. There are quite a lot of pegs in this design so no total clearance, but I cleared the reds with a comfortable pro score and balls in hand.

Level 5 (Clear 30 red pegs from 101 total - Pro target 450k)

The final design is a repeating pattern of little five peg wave peaks. Fifteen of them in total, with a few loose round pegs in the pattern as well.

Attempt #1 - No power ups. Score: 329,280

• Again, the angles made catches in the endgame quite tricky so I think I'll take a laser ball.

Attempt #2 - Laser Ball. Score: 584,580 

• No problem with the laser ball. It made for pretty easy progress through. No total clearance again, but a comfortable pro score.

Level 6 (Clear 40 red pegs from 103 total - Pro target 600k)

The same design as level 2, but with 15 more red pegs, and 175k on the pro target.

Attempt #1 - Laser Ball. Score: 748,830 

• Level 2 was quite straightforward once I'd included a laser ball, and this felt like a relatively small increase in difficulty. So, again, not difficult with a laser ball. I took a complete clearance, although I shouldn't have done, as I took a catch off the last purple peg despite being down to my last ball. It was a pretty easy catch, but it was still an unnecessary risk.

Level 7 (Score 500k with 35 red pegs and 80 blue, with only 9 balls - Pro target 700k)

The same design as level 1, but with 10 more red pegs, one less ball, 250k on the pro target, but only a score required.

Attempt #1 - No power ups. Score: 273,800

• A dreadful attempt. This layout seemed so easy the first time round. Maybe I'll add a laser ball.

Attempt #2 - Laser Ball. Score: 1,324,140 

• The laser ball made something of a difference as I took a total clearance for a bit of a whopping score. It was one of those games where every shot seemed to find its way into the bucket. This is, in fact, the second highest score I've had since starting this blog just over 2000 games ago.

Level 8 (Clear 45 red pegs from 102 total, with only 9 balls - Pro target 600k)

The same design as level 3, but with 15 more red pegs, one less ball, and 175k on the pro target.

Attempt #1 - No power ups. Score: 531,530

• I didn't get the nice slides that I got with level 3. I'll give it another go before I resort to the laser ball.

Attempt #2 - No power ups. Score: 998,800 

• I reviewed my video for level 3 before I played this one and it reminded me of the angles I used to get the rather nice sweep shots that I got that time. I managed to find those same angles again, and that took out quite a few pegs for some big bonuses. I did pick up quite a few lucky catches as the game went on but several off them were in the endgame after the level was effectively won. I took a total clearance and a perfect final 200k bonus put me within a hairsbreadth of a million points.

Level 9 (Score 650k with 35 red pegs and 96 blue, with only 9 balls - Pro target 800k)

The same design as level 4, but with 5 more red pegs, one less ball, 325k on the pro target, but just a score for a target.

Attempt #1 - Laser Ball. Score: 1,543,060 

• I got the yellow peg with the first ball and then got a perfect rim bounce with the laser ball so that it landed back in the bucket. Everything seemed to work after that - catches, ricochets, everything. So another total clearance, another perfect final 200k bonus, and another whopping score. So this board is now responsible for two of my top three scores since starting the blog. Not the biggest though, Firelight Swamp level 7 still holds that record with 1.665m pts.

Level 10 (Clear ALL pegs - 25 red and 76 blue - Pro target 650k)

The same design as level 5, but with 5 less red pegs, 200k on the pro target, and a total clearance now needed.

Attempt #1 - Laser Ball. Score: 567,100

• Only an 89% clearance. I seemed to start well enough, but I lost my way a little in the midgame and never recovered.

Attempt #2 - Laser Ball. Score: 611,420

• I got the clearance but a minimum final bonus of 20k was not enough to get me to the pro target. I had deliberately left myself two pegs near the side wall for my last two balls, thinking that taking them both off the side wall for 35k each would give me enough points. Unfortunately, I misjudged the angle off the first and both went together.

Attempt #3 - Laser Ball. Score: 851,900 

• It took me a couple of balls to break through to the yellow peg, but I had another good rim bounce off the laser ball to land back in the bucket. A few good ricochets and catches later I had the total clearance. I had the target reached anyway, but another maximum 200k final bonus reinforced it.

SUMMARY

Level	Reds	Pegs	Target	Balls	Clock	Pro	Attempts	Record	Average	Video
1	25	115	Reds	10	-	450k	1	614,120	614,120
2	25	103	Reds	10	-	425k	5	765,720	462,988
3	30	102	Reds	10	-	425k	1	842,550	842,550
4	30	131	Reds	10	-	475k	2	662,930	532,815
5	30	101	Reds	10	-	450k	2	584,580	456,930
6	40	103	Reds	10	-	600k	1	748,830	748,830
7	35	115	500k	9	-	700k	2	1,324,140	798,970
8	45	102	Reds	9	-	600k	2	998,800	765,165
9	35	131	650k	9	-	800k	1	1,543,060	1,543,060
10	25	101	All	10	-	650k	3	851,900	676,806

Board 43: Grand Marina

This picture shows a view of Venice across the water. Some gondolas are moored in the foreground, and in the distance, the familiar shape of St Mark's Basilica and Campanile can be seen.

Level 1 (Clear 30 red pegs from 99 total - Pro target 400k)

The first design features some straight lines where the poles are, and some curves on the prows of the goondolas. Plus a scattering of single round pegs to make up the numbers.

Attempt #1 - No power ups. Score: 512,300 

• A relatively easy starter. The first few balls I just played off the side wall first, onto a red peg, in the hope that they would ricochet around and take out some red pegs and maybe pick up the odd bonus. I had to be a bit more tactical towards the end, particularly on the last ball. I had to decide whether to risk taking a catch off the purple peg that was in the way, which was entirely missable, or play through a tight gap off the side wall. I chose the latter and it worked so I guess it was the right decision.

Level 2 (Clear 30 red pegs from 95 total - Pro target 425k)

This design is made up entirely of single pegs arranged in a roughly triangular formation as if looking down towards the prow of a boat.

Attempt #1 - No power ups. Score: 605,840 

• I didn't make many catches early on, but I got quite a few good ricochets and a few bonuses, so it didn't matter too much. As the game went on, however, I started to make more and more catches, including quite a few lucky ones. A fair bit of ball juggling was going on with the rim of the bucket. I ended up getting a total clearance.

Level 3 (Clear 30 red pegs from 109 total - Pro target 500k)

This design is a symmetrical pattern of four crossed curls. I'm not sure what this has to do with the picture, though. You can just make out a curly pattern on the gondolas so maybe it's that.

Attempt #1 - No power ups. Score: 220,350

• I'm not sure if it was the layout in general or just the positioning of the red pegs, but I found both catches and bonuses really hard to come by here. The angles seemed to always working against me. I think I'll use a laser ball.

Attempt #2 - Laser Ball. Score: 463,350

• A lot closer than without the laser ball, but still not close enough. I still had about three red pegs left at the end, but it wasn't because I'd been particularly going for purple ones.

Attempt #3 - Laser Ball. Score: 868,260 

• It's a funny old game this sometimes. On the first couple of attempts, I found catches nearly impossible to judge, whereas on this one, everything seemed destined for the bucket. I could have cleared the red pegs with seven balls in hand, pro score and all, but I chose to keep going until I got the total clearance, or got down to my last ball. I ran out of balls still with about three or four blue pegs left, but continuing would have been too much of a risk so I finished it then.

Level 4 (Clear 35 red pegs from 111 total - Pro target 500k)

This design is of St Mark's Basilica and Campanile that can be seen in the background of the picture.

Attempt #1 - No power ups. Score: 868,320 

• This layout consists mainly of rectangular blocks positioned either horizontally or vertically and this makes for a lot of quite easy catches. There were undoubtedly a few lucky catches in there, but most of them were played for. I managed to take a total clearance without too much trouble.

Level 5 (Clear 35 red pegs from 121 total - Pro target 450k)

This design features two pairs of vertical lines, with each pair connected by four diagonal lines, akin to the red & white striped poles in the picture. There are lines of loose round pegs as well.

Attempt #1 - No power ups. Score: 407,840

• I didn't get very lucky with the catches, but there were some pretty dreadful attempts in there as well. I'll improve next time.

Attempt #2 - No power ups. Score: 275,250

• I seemed to go down to one life quite quickly. I hung on for ages, clearing out the right hand tower completely, but misjudged one on the other side. I'll use a laser ball.

Attempt #3 - Laser Ball. Score: 938,200 

• Not too difficult once the laser ball comes into play. I could get the yellow peg with the first ball, and I got a decent rim bounce with the laser ball. It didn't score much extra, but it popped the ball up nicely for a bucket catch. The angles are actually quite easy to catch from, once enough other pegs have been cleared first. I went on to take a total clearance.

Level 6 (Clear 40 red pegs from 95 total, with only 9 balls - Pro target 550k)

The same design as level 2, but with 10 more red pegs, one less ball, and 125k on the pro target.

Attempt #1 - No power ups. Score: 560,750

• Two red pegs left. I was trying to pick off the blue pegs on the outside of the pattern one by one to get to one of the last two red pegs, but I missed a catch. Worth another go before I add a laser ball.

Attempt #2 - No power ups. Score: 497,860

• I think I got blinded by the total clearance there. I was down to three pegs left, one of which was red, and I took out the two blue ones with my last ball. In reality, I probably had an angle off the last red peg to get into the 100k bucket, but I was looking to fixedly at getting the total clearance, it never entered my mind until afterwards.

Attempt #3 - Laser Ball. Score: 534,790

• I added a laser ball, but I was probably better off beforehand! I got the points easily enough, but I was nowhere near clearing the red pegs.

Attempt #4 - Laser Ball. Score: 714,840 

• Another far from convincing attempt. The yellow peg was right down the bottom, in the centre, and it took several balls to get to it. I got there eventually, and the laser ball did OK considering how many pegs had gone by then, but I ended up with a lot of work to do with the last ball again. I chipped away at the blue pegs from the right hand side, and managed to keep making catches until I could take out both the last two red pegs together.

Level 7 (Clear 45 red pegs from 109 total, with only 8 balls - Pro target 650k)

The same design as level 3, but with 15 more red pegs, two less balls, and 150k on the pro target.

Attempt #1 - Laser Ball. Score: 895,340 

• I got the yellow peg with the first ball, and caught the rim bounce with the laser ball. After that it was never really in doubt. I failed to get a total clearance by just two pegs, but I'm not too bothered about that.

Level 8 (Clear ALL pegs - 30 red and 69 blue, with only 9 balls - Pro target 650k)

The same design as level 1, but with one less ball, 250k on the pro target, and a total clearance now required.

Attempt #1 - Laser Ball. Score: 832,810 

• Again, I got the yellow peg with the first shot, and did well with the laser ball. The angles on this layout are quite forgiving, so getting the clearance from there really wasn't a problem.

Level 9 (Clear 50 red pegs from 121 total, with only 8 balls - Pro target 700k)

The same design as level 5, but with 15 more red pegs, two less balls, and 250k on the pro target.

Attempt #1 - Laser Ball. Score: 780,060 

• When I tried level 5 with a laser ball I score over 900k and got a total clearance, so I didn't foresee any problems here, and I didn't encounter any. It took a couple of balls to get to the yellow peg, but I got a good rim bounce with the laser ball, despite taking an unorthodox path with it. I went for ricochets to start with, but as the number of balls started to drop, I switched to single peg catches, and they saw me through to the end.

Level 10 (Clear ALL pegs - 50 red and 61 blue, with only 9 balls - Pro target 800k)

The same design as level 4, but with 15 more red pegs, one less ball, 300k on the pro target, and a total clearance now required. On level 4, I made a total clearance for over 800k in score, and that was without any power ups, so this shouldn't be a problem.

Attempt #1 - No power ups. Score: 775,600

• I was picking the pegs off one at a time, but the catches getting tougher. Maybe a laser ball wouldn't be a bad idea. If only to get through this last level and move on to the next board.

Attempt #2 - Laser Ball. Score: 876,130

• One peg left. I was torn as to how to tackle the last pair of pegs. They were right in the middle and one on top of the other in an inverted T shape. I didn't think I could reliably hit them both directly, and a catch would have been equally awkward so I tried to play off the side wall into the angle between them, but just caught the lower one.

Attempt #3 - Laser Ball. Score: 1,029,550 

• It's always nice to finish with a million. I got a better laser ball that time, and some better ricochets during the mid-game and endgame. It ended up being an easy finish.

SUMMARY

Level	Reds	Pegs	Target	Balls	Clock	Pro	Attempts	Record	Average	Video
1	30	99	Reds	10	-	400k	1	512,300	512,300
2	30	95	Reds	10	-	425k	1	605,840	605,840
3	30	109	Reds	10	-	500k	3	868,260	517,320
4	35	111	Reds	10	-	500k	1	868,320	868,320
5	35	121	Reds	10	-	450k	3	938,200	540,430
6	40	95	Reds	9	-	550k	4	714,840	577,060
7	45	109	Reds	8	-	650k	1	895,340	895,340
8	30	99	All	9	-	650k	1	832,810	832,810
9	50	121	Reds	8	-	700k	1	780,060	780,060
10	50	111	All	9	-	800k	3	1,029,550	893,760

Board 112: Guardian Garden

This picture is of a huge stone robot apparently tending to the plants in a hidden garden in a scene I found quite reminiscent of Hiyao Miyazaki's Castle in the Sky.

Level 1 (Clear 25 red pegs from 89 total - Pro target 425k)

This design comprises of short horizontal lines down easy side, with a diamond peg at the end of each, and another line across the bottom along with more diamond pegs.

Attempt #1 - No power ups. Score: 618,330 

• We've had similar layouts to this before, but this one seems a little easier than most because of the diamond pegs at the end of the lines. If you can get a ball in behind them, they tend to keep pushing the ball back, so the ball can take out lots of rows at once. I ended up taking a total clearance, although I took a slight risk with the last ball to get it. But the temptation was to much to resist.

Level 2 (Clear 30 red pegs from 119 total - Pro target 425k)

This design is based on the top of the stone guardian's head, so it's mostly interconnected straight lines at odd angles, with a few diamond pegs in the middle.

Attempt #1 - No power ups. Score: 378,920

• These angles are really rather awkward. Trying to judge catches is nigh on impossible. I'll give it one more go, but I suspect a laser ball may be coming soon.

Attempt #2 - No power ups. Score: 464,350

• An improvement over the last attempt, but still several awkwardly placed red pegs I couldn't get to. I'll use a laser ball.

Attempt #3 - Laser Ball. Score: 899,040 

• I got a perfect double rim bounce with the laser ball which made the rest of the level something of a formality. I went for the total clearance but even that wasn't much of a challenge, as I did it with three or four balls to spare.

Level 3 (Clear 30 red pegs from 103 total, with only 9 balls - Pro target 450k)

This design looks like the guardian's huge stone fists.

Attempt #1 - No power ups. Score: 274,340

• I was a long way short of the required pro score, but I only had one red peg left. I was trying to play the purple peg when I ran out of balls.

Attempt #2 - No power ups. Score: 391,360

• Only one red peg left again. I probably could have made enough extra points on easy purple deflections, but I was impatient and took on a half-chance which I failed to catch.

Attempt #3 - No power ups. Score: 343,640

• I had two or three red pegs left that time. I don't seem to be getting any closer. I need to go to bed now, but I may have another go without power ups in the morning.

Attempt #4 - No power ups. Score: 348,800

• I had another go without power ups, and I probably should have had it that time, but I misfired one right at the end and blew what should have been an easy catch. I had several blue pegs left that offered easy catches, and the last two red pegs were easy to take with a single ball. This can definitely be done without power ups, but I'm fed up of it now so I'll use one anyway.

Attempt #5 - Laser Ball. Score: 630,250 

• I got the yellow peg with the first ball, then got an excellent rim bounce with the laser ball that arced across the screen and landed back in the bucket. After that it was easy so I made a total clearance.

Level 4 (Clear 30 red pegs from 100 total, with only 8 balls - Pro target 400k)

This design is a complex combination of straight lines and curves. I'm not sure what it's supposed to be of, but I imagine the straight lines at the top are intended to represent the guardian's gaze. Beyond that, your guess is as good as mine.

Attempt #1 - No power ups. Score: 222,860

• This is another level with lots of odd angles. Only 13 shots in that go, so probably not enough catches. I'll give it just one more go.

Attempt #2 - No power ups. Score: 209,660

• Not a single catch that time left me with a whole stack of red pegs unhit. I'll use a laser ball.

Attempt #3 - Laser Ball. Score: 332,400

• A better effort, but it took several shots to get to the yellow peg, plus I failed to get a rim bounce with the laser.

Attempt #4 - Laser Ball. Score: 415,270 

• Again, I had to use several balls to get to the yellow peg, and again I had to use a non-standard line for the laser ball to avoid missing the major clusters of remaining pegs. But this time, I managed to hang on better in the endgame. The final ball was a bit of a gamble as I had to take the last red off the side wall and through a narrow gap, and then hope to avoid the 10k buckets.

Level 5 (Clear 30 red pegs from 93 total, with only 8 balls - Pro target 425k)

This design follows some of the lines in the picture, with curves over the guardian's legs, wrist and shoulder, and straight lines on the walls and emanating from its eyes.

Attempt #1 - No power ups. Score: 245,600

• The red pegs weren't particularly well placed for bonuses, so I struggled to get my score anywhere near the pro target. I think I'll go straight for a laser ball instead of messing about this time.

Attempt #2 - Laser Ball. Score: 467,680

• I had one red peg left when I missed the final catch, so pretty close.

Attempt #3 - Laser Ball. Score: 488,190 

• The yellow peg wasn't particularly conveniently positioned, so I used up two or three balls getting to it. I got a decent rim bounce with the laser ball, and managed to pick off what was left, plus a few purples, without missing too many more catches

Level 6 (Clear 45 red pegs from 89 total, with only 8 balls - Pro target 600k)

The same design as level 1, but with 20 more red pegs, two less balls, and 175k on the pro target.

Attempt #1 - No power ups. Score: 384,330

• I was probably closer than my score might indicate, as there were only one or two awkward catches left. It was one of those awkward ones that I missed, although I probably didn't need to take it on.

Attempt #2 - No power ups. Score: 756,790 

• I already had the angle that cleared out the left hand side in a single peg, but this time I found the angle that did the same on the right hand side as well. It meant I could get rid of well over half the pegs for the loss of just two balls, leaving me plenty in hand to concentrate on earning good bonuses off the few low pegs that remained.

Level 7 (Clear ALL pegs - 30 red and 73 blue, with only 8 balls - Pro target 575k)

The same design as level 3, but with one less ball, 125k on the pro target, and a total clearance now needed. I actually made a total clearance on level 3, thanks to a good laser ball so this hopefully shouldn't be too bad.

Attempt #1 - Laser Ball. Score: 964,070 

• Quite a similar experience to level 3. I got the yellow peg with the first ball, then got a good rim bounce with the laser ball that popped up nicely to be caught back in the bucket. Pretty much plain sailing after that, and I cleared up with a ball to spare.

Level 8 (Clear 45 red pegs from 100 total, with only 7 balls - Pro target 750k)

The same design as level 4, but with 15 more red pegs, one less ball, and 350k on the pro target. That pro target looks a bit challenging now.

Attempt #1 - Laser Ball. Score: 843,290 

• That was actually easier than I expected it to be. Maybe it's because the yellow peg was in plain view at the start, maybe it was the extra red pegs giving more bonus opportunities, but whatever it was, I found that I passed the pro target without really having to try that hard. I needed a decent shot off the side wall to get both the last two red pegs at once, but otherwise there were few problems.

Level 9 (Clear ALL pegs - 30 red and 89 blue, with only 9 balls - Pro target 725k)

The same design as level 2, but with one less ball, 300k on the pro target, and a total clearance now needed.

Attempt #1 - Laser Ball. Score: 874,750 

• Another one that turned out easier than expected. I triggered the yellow peg straight away, but twitched as I released the laser ball and just got a simple catch rather than a more lucrative rim bounce. Despite this, though, the catches mostly seemed to go my way, and I took another total clearance.

Level 10 (Clear ALL pegs - 30 red and 63 blue, with only 7 balls - Pro target 675k)

The same design as level 5, but with one less ball, 250k on the pro target, and a total clearance now needed.

Attempt #1 - Laser Ball. Score: 453,120

• It took several balls to break through to a particularly awkwardly placed yellow peg, which left me very short of balls in the endgame. I kept the last ball going for a dozen or more shots, but in the end it was just a bit too much.

Attempt #2 - Laser Ball. Score: 778,260

• I really thought I had that one. I had two pegs left and I thought there was a natural angle off one onto the other, but I missed the second peg by a whisker. It was the last ball and I failed to catch it, so that was it. Maybe I shouldn't have taken the risk, but it looked a better bet than trying to judge a catch off either.

Attempt #3 - Laser Ball. Score: 568,740

• Not as close that time. I had five pegs left at the end, but I'd been hanging on with one ball for ages. I'll have one more go before I add another power up as the angles are really quite forgiving on this one.

Attempt #4 - Laser Ball. Score: 614,690

• Another really close one. Just two pegs left at the end after a couple of missed catches on the trot. And that was after it took an age to get through to the yellow peg.

Attempt #5 - Laser Ball. Score: 514,580

• I got the yellow peg first time, did OK with the laser ball, but was quite a long way away from the clearance. I missed too many catches. Reluctantly, I'll add a Big Bounce.

Attempt #6 - Laser Ball & Big Bounce. Score: 723,120 

• I added a Big Bounce this time. I got the yellow peg straight away, and did OK with the laser ball. That triggered the Big Bounce, and that did pretty well as well, taking out 21 pegs. It still left 28 pegs to be removed with only 6 balls, but I'm getting better at judging the angles on this level now, so I made enough catches to just about see me through to the end.

SUMMARY

Level	Reds	Pegs	Target	Balls	Clock	Pro	Attempts	Record	Average	Video
1	25	89	Reds	10	-	425k	1	618,330	618,330
2	30	119	Reds	10	-	425k	3	899,040	580,770
3	30	103	Reds	9	-	450k	5	630,250	397,678
4	30	100	Reds	8	-	400k	4	415,270	295,047
5	30	93	Reds	8	-	425k	3	488,190	400,490
6	45	89	Reds	8	-	600k	2	756,790	570,560
7	30	103	All	8	-	575k	1	964,070	964,070
8	45	100	Reds	7	-	750k	1	843,290	843,290
9	30	119	All	9	-	725k	1	874,750	874,750
10	30	93	All	7	-	675k	6	778,260	608,751

Board 44: Gates of Atlantis

This picture shows a majestic archway to an underwater city. The archway is adorned with fish statues. Large buildings can be seen in the background.

Level 1 (Clear 30 red pegs from 94 total - Pro target 450k)

The first design consists of a series of concentric circles around the fish in the bubble in the bottom left, and then single round pegs following the bubble trails to the top of the screen.

Attempt #1 - No power ups. Score: 536,640 

• I started slowly but improved as the game went on. I got some good sweeps around the circles by judging the angles well. I'm quite pleased to have got that one first time, as it didn't look very promising at one stage.

Level 2 (Clear 30 red pegs from 98 total - Pro target 400k)

This design is of four triangles (or parts thereof) with a triangular arrangement of round pegs in each.

Attempt #1 - No power ups. Score: 611,950 

• That seemed easy enough. There were plenty of opportunities for hitting pegs off the side wall, and for distance bonuses, with the clusters being so neatly separated. I had the pro target reached with several balls in hand so I kept going for the purple pegs until I was down to my last ball before I finished it off.

Level 3 (Clear 30 red pegs from 107 total - Pro target 425k)

This design follows the lines of the picture. Mainly of the archway, but with quite a few single round pegs marking other lines and bubbles.

Attempt #1 - No power ups. Score: 499,030 

• Another pretty straightforward one. I didn't have to try too hard to get the pro score.

Level 4 (Clear 35 red pegs from 116 total - Pro target 550k)

This design is a symmetrical pattern of six diamond shaped pegs each with two long ribbon-like tails.

Attempt #1 - No power ups. Score: 664,380

• I really should have had that one. I had two red pegs left and only one ball. Only one of the pegs was in the open, but there was no easy catch off it. Instead I picked away at the blue pegs down the right-hand wall until I had enough space to take the hidden red peg off the side wall. I should have inched towards it gradually to get the best chance of taking the catch, but I went for it too quickly, caught it too thick and missed the catch. Very annoying after all that work putting myself in that position.

Attempt #2 - No power ups. Score: 606,320

• Too many missed catches there. No problem with the pro target though, despite that.

Attempt #3 - No power ups. Score: 592,500

• This is getting ridiculous! This should be easy. That time I had four red pegs left with three ball, so I only had to make one catch out of the first three shots, but I missed all of them. And they weren't even that hard. I should have had this first time!

Attempt #4 - No power ups. Score: 476,550

• Two red pegs left that time. I was a little short of points, but I reckon I was only two catches away from the end.

Attempt #5 - No power ups. Score: 838,720 

• Finally got it at the fifth attempt, but all the previous attempts were close. It really wasn't a difficult level, so I don't know why it took me so many goes.

Level 5 (Clear 25 red pegs from 121 total - Pro target 500k)

This design is essentially a big archway made up of a variety of different pegs. Lots of awkward angles by the look of it.

Attempt #1 - No power ups. Score: 450,300

• Not far off for a first attempt, although I feel I was a bit lucky to get as close as I did. The angles are generally not very easy to judge and I had a few lucky catches. I'll probably use a laser ball to get through this one.

Attempt #2 - Laser Ball. Score: 624,770 

• Not too bad with a laser ball. It did take quite a few balls to get to the yellow peg, but even after that, I still reached the pro target and the last red peg with a few balls in hand so I could practice some angles with the purple pegs.

Level 6 (Clear 45 red pegs from 107 total, with only 9 balls - Pro target 575k)

The same design as level 3, but with 15 more red pegs, one less ball, and 150k on the pro target.

Attempt #1 - No power ups. Score: 287,810

• Nowhere near. Not enough catches made early on. Level 3 seemed quite easy before, so I'll give it one more go before turning to the laser ball.

Attempt #2 - No power ups. Score: 307,970

• No. I think there are just too many red pegs to clear comfortably without any power ups. No doubt it's possible, but would need a lot of luck and that could take too long. I'll use a laser ball.

Attempt #3 - Laser Ball. Score: 733,620 

• I was helped by the yellow peg being right on top. After triggering the laser ball straight away, it was all quite simple. I had enough balls in hand to have plenty of free shots at the purple peg. I came close to a total clearance, but caught the last red off an unexpected deflection still with about 3 or 4 blue pegs left. I wouldn't have caught it, though, so it would have left me with just one ball, thereby forcing me to go for a finish on the next ball anyway.

Level 7 (Score 500k with 35 red pegs and 81 blue, with only 9 balls - Pro target 850k)

The same design as level 4, but with one less ball, 300k on the pro score, but only a score for a target. I needed a laser ball to beat level 4, so I'd better start with one here.

Attempt #1 - Laser Ball. Score: 1,217,110 

• A bit of a whopper of a score this time. It was one of those goes when catches seem effortless. You put the bucket where you think the ball will end up and it does. Nearly every time. I got the yellow peg with the first ball, although it also triggered the annoying Big Bucket which meant I couldn't get a rim bounce with the laser ball. I didn't need one though as the balls kept landing in the bucket. I took a total clearance with balls to spare.

Level 8 (Clear ALL pegs - 30 red and 68 blue, with only 9 balls - Pro target 625k)

The same design as level 2, but with one less ball, 225k on the pro score, and a total clearance now required.

Attempt #1 - No power ups. Score: 445,670

• I still had three red pegs left at the end, and was a long way short of the pro score. I like to try these higher levels without power ups sometimes, but they often don't work. I'll use a laser ball.

Attempt #2 - Laser Ball. Score: 828,550 

• I could play the yellow peg immediately, so I got the laser ball nice and early. It cleared just enough space to be able to capitalise on the predictable angles of the rectangular pegs and make plenty of catches. It looked a little dubious at one stage when I still had 15 pegs left and only three balls, but luck was with me and my catches were generally well judged.

Level 9 (Clear ALL pegs - 30 red and 64 blue, with only 9 balls - Pro target 675k)

The same design as level 1, but with one less ball, 225k on the pro target, and a total clearance now required.

Attempt #1 - Laser Ball. Score: 954,440 

• A straightforward clearance with the laser ball. I got the yellow ball with the first shot which is always a promising sign. The laser ball got a reasonable rim bounce, and then I just picked off what was left. The catches weren't too tricky.

Level 10 (Clear 40 red pegs from 121 total, with only 8 balls and a 3s shot-clock - Pro target 825k)

The same design as level 5, but with 15 more red pegs, two less balls, a whopping 325k on the pro target, and a three second shot-clock to boot. I think I might add a Big Bounce to the Laser Ball for this. If I remember rightly it can be a little tricky.

Attempt #1 - Laser Ball & Big Bounce. Score: 612,490

• It took a few too many shots to get to the yellow peg, and I suspect that's what did for me in the long run. I struggled on for quite a long time, but I was always short of balls and points.

Attempt #2 - Laser Ball & Big Bounce. Score: 240,280

• It took three shots to get to the yellow peg, then I had to try and find a new path for the laser ball and it really didn't work at all. I never got to the green peg before I ran out of balls, having made just a single catch.

Attempt #3 - Laser Ball & Big Bounce. Score: 570,880

• Only one red peg left, but I had a lot of points still to earn, so I was working with the purple pegs when I missed a catch. This pro target is certainly a big one.

Attempt #4 - Laser Ball & Big Bounce. Score: 207,170

• That was a shocking waste. I got the yellow peg with the first ball, and triggered the Triple score Bucket at the same time. In my panic to try and adjust my angle with the laser ball so that I could catch it instead of getting a rim bounce, I cocked it up entirely, scoring less than 100k for it.

Attempt #5 - Laser Ball & Big Bounce. Score: 634,680

• Not bad. I got the yellow peg with the first ball and did OK with the laser ball, but the Big Bounce came a little too early, got trapped in a corner and was ineffective. I tried to carry on, but there were too many red pegs left and I missed too many catches.

Attempt #6 - Laser Ball & Big Bounce. Score: 853,210 

• I had visions of that potentially taking 15 or 20 attempts, so quite pleased to get it in just 6. I got the yellow peg immediately, then did quite well with the laser ball. I then concentrated on the remaining red pegs, while trying to avoid the green one, in the hope that the points would just come on their own. I made just enough catches and ricochets to keep in with a chance, then took out the green peg when I was down to the last red in the hope that the Big Bounce would make up the deficit, and that's just what it did.

SUMMARY

Level	Reds	Pegs	Target	Balls	Clock	Pro	Attempts	Record	Average	Video
1	30	94	Reds	10	-	450k	1	536,640	536,640
2	30	98	Reds	10	-	400k	1	611,950	611,950
3	30	107	Reds	10	-	425k	1	499,030	499,030
4	35	116	Reds	10	-	550k	5	838,720	635,694
5	25	121	Reds	10	-	500k	2	624,770	537,535
6	45	107	Reds	9	-	575k	3	733,620	443,133
7	35	116	500k	9	-	850k	1	1,217,110	1,217,110
8	30	98	All	9	-	625k	2	828,550	637,110
9	30	94	All	9	-	675k	1	954,440	954,440
10	40	121	Reds	8	3s	825k	6	853,210	519,785