Nowadays, pinball games have become too rare. The latest dates back to 2010 with Williams Pinball Classics, first released on PSP and then adapted for Xbox 360, PS3 and Wii the following year. A quality game, despite limited content (only 10 tables) which was created thanks to the duo System3 and Farsight Studios. It is also the same duo who gave life to The Pinball Arcade on PS4, determined to put the package to seduce lovers of steel balls. The developers have pulled out all the stops by teaming up with the biggest manufacturers of real pinball tables. Bally, Stern Pinball, Williams and of course Gottlieb have therefore responded and their association has brought together no less than 22 tables, as attractive as they are legendary. Because all generations are represented in The Pinball Arcade, whether it's retro tables such as Gottlieb's Big Shot or Williams' Gorgar, both from the 70s, up to the more modern tables of the 90s like Star Trek: The Next Generation or Creatures of the Black Lagoon, which play with relief or sometimes offer screens with stereoscopic 3D effects. We could list all of the 22 tables offered in the game, just to scratch a few free signs like that, but we prefer to give you the ones that are close to our hearts.
"I've got balls of steel !"
We like, for example, Black Knight from the Williams team with its two levels of play (a pioneer in this field by the way) and its magnetic function which allows the player to stop the balls which go towards the side lane to then restart them in the inner hallway and the time bonus. The Funhouse pinball machine is immediately distinguished by the presence of Rudy, an automaton head who seems to follow the ball with his eyes, while he does not hesitate to mock and talk throughout the game. And then something quite rare, this table has two ball launchers and the one on the left is triggered when the bonus zone is activated. We also fell in love with Black Hole which offers an inverted lower surface and which changes a bit from classic pinball machines thanks to this really well thought out hidden board. As for nostalgic players, they will be able to revel in discovering the beginnings of the game of pinball with Big Shot and its quiet atmosphere, devoid of ambient sounds at all costs and its simplicity where only 14 targets are placed on the table. A hit for connoisseurs.
As you will have understood, one of the main qualities of the game from System3 and Farsight Studios is to be ultra faithful to period pinball machines, with particular care given to the modeling of the tables, but also to the original sounds and sound effects.
As you will have understood, one of the main qualities of the game from System3 and Farsight Studios is to be ultra faithful to period pinball machines, with particular care given to the modeling of the tables, but also to the original sounds and sound effects. Those who grew up in the 70s, 80s and 90s and who were addicted to spending time in the bistros near the school will find all the atmosphere that made the charm of these moments of relaxation and carelessness. It's true, when it landed on PS4, The Pinball Arcade could have offered a next gen visual rendering, but unfortunately this is not the case. The game is clean overall, but it can easily run on PS3 and PS Vita. Of course, you can't be so demanding for a pinball game, but at least the developers could have taken care of the home menu, with an alarming sadness and a design that even a graphics intern would have. ashamed to suggest. But you and I know, it's not really this aspect that is the most important in the story, but the content and on this side, The Pinball Arcade does not disappoint. A total of 22 tables available from the outset, not to mention the 35 others to come for download for Seasons 2 and 3. All you have to do is open the game manual to see that you can continue to vibrate to the sounds of Haunted House, Space Shuttle, Dr Dude, Terminator 2 (strongly!) or even Victory, Gottlieb's F1 pinball machine. It may not speak to 20 years and under but God we can't wait to see them added to the tables already available on the cake.
