A pinball machine having an inclined playfield supporting a plurality of game features and a rolling game ball. A processor is used to control the function of the pinball machine including permitting game play in a tournament mode wherein game play allows a player to earn a score that is evaluated to determine if a prize is to be awarded. The processor may also allow for game play in a normal mode wherein game play does not provide for a prize to be awarded. When both game play modes are available, a player operated switch may be provided for permitting player selection of the mode of play at the beginning of each game.