Pinball FX
Encyclopedia
Pinball FX is a pinball machine video game for the Xbox 360
. It was developed by Zen Studios
and published by Microsoft Game Studios
. It was released on April 25, 2007 via the Xbox Live Arcade
service. The game features three tables, with six more available as downloadable content
, leaderboards
and online multiplayer. A sequel to the game, Pinball FX 2
was released on October 27, 2010.
The game received mixed reviews from critics, with aggregate websites GameRankings and Metacritic
reporting scores of 70.56% and 69/100, respectively. Critics generally felt that the physics did well emulating a real pinball machine. Reviewers were divided on opinions of the game's multiplayer, with some calling for splitscreen gameplay, while others appreciated the online multiplayer component. It was a commercial success, selling over 362,000 copies as of July 28, 2010. It has been delisted from Xbox Live Arcade as all content can be imported into Pinball FX 2.
machine, albeit in a virtual environment. As with a traditional pinball machine, the player fires a steel ball onto the playfield using a plunger. Once the ball is in play the player controls the flippers and can nudge the machine to influence the path of the ball. Each of the game's tables become more complex as the game advances, opening new paths and opportunities.
The game allows use of the Xbox Live Vision camera to operate the flippers and to video chat with Xbox Live
opponents. It also features leaderboards
and online multiplayer for up to four players. Multiplayer games are won by being the first to achieve the set high score, which can be adjusted from 10 to 100 million points. Penalties can also be set for losing a ball with players losing anywhere from 5 to 25 percent of their score when a ball is lost.
tables were released prior to the release of the game's sequel, Pinball FX 2. The first table was released on January 16, 2008. Entitled Nightmare Mansion it features a campy, horror movie theme. The second paid table features characters from The Rocky and Bullwinkle Show
and was released April 2, 2008. A third table featuring characters, sounds and music from Street Fighter II Turbo was released November 12, 2008. Earth Defense, the fourth table, features an alien invasion theme. It was released September 21, 2009 The final table, Excalibur, was released January 27, 2010. This table features a theme based on King Arthur
and the Knights of the Round Table
.
Free downloadable content
Paid downloadable content
, it holds a score of 70.56% and 69/100, respectively. The game was a commercial success, selling over 362,000 copies as of July 28, 2010. Eurogamer
's Dan Whitehead described the game as "a fantastic virtual pinball engine", comparing it to Pinball Dreams
. PinballAddicts praised the cost-to-value ratio, stating "at around US$10 you really can't go wrong." GameZone
's reviewer stated Pinball FX was "a visual treat and a solid challenge."
GameSpot
's Jeff Gerstmann praised the addition of online multiplayer, stating that it "has some neat ideas that keep things interesting a bit longer." Eurogamer's Dan Whitehead was more critical, stating use of the Xbox Live Vision camera was "an oddly remote and distant way of playing." GameZone
's reviewer disagreed, noting that use of the camera set the game apart from other titles. The reviewer further praised the game's sound effects, saying that they "carried the game forward."
Pinball FXs physics system was a common point of criticism among reviewers. While some praised the physics, others felt the system had issues. Dan Whitehead of Eurogamer felt the physics were precise. The reviewer from GameZone agreed, stating they "handled very well." "For the most part the physics in Pinball FX hold up, but there are a few issues that harm the overall experience" stated Hilary Goldstein of IGN
. Jeff Gerstmann felt that the "ball movement never feels realistic."
Reviewers were critical of the variety in the game. Hilary Goldstein of IGN felt the game did not have enough features, stating it had "three mediocre boards, a couple-hundred Achievement Points, and little else." Jeff Gerstmann of GameSpot also criticized the variety, calling the table designs "generic", adding that they "grow old quickly." GamePro
s Will Herring agreed, saying that the tables were "a little blander than might have been hoped for."
Xbox 360
The Xbox 360 is the second video game console produced by Microsoft and the successor to the Xbox. The Xbox 360 competes with Sony's PlayStation 3 and Nintendo's Wii as part of the seventh generation of video game consoles...
. It was developed by Zen Studios
Zen Studios
Zen Studios is a software development company based in Budapest, Hungary. Primarily known for its pinball machine video games, the company worked with several franchises, including Marvel Comics, Ghostbusters, and Rocky and Bullwinkle.As of June 2011 Zen Studios is continuing to release...
and published by Microsoft Game Studios
Microsoft Game Studios
Microsoft Studios is the video game production wing for Microsoft, responsible for the development and publishing of games for the Xbox, Xbox 360, Games for Windows and Windows Phone platforms. They were established in 2002 as Microsoft Game Studios to coincide with the release of the Xbox, before...
. It was released on April 25, 2007 via the Xbox Live Arcade
Xbox Live Arcade
Xbox Live Arcade is a type of video game download distribution available primarily in a section of the Xbox Live Marketplace, Microsoft's digital distribution network for the Xbox 360, that focuses on smaller downloadable games from both major publishers and independent game developers...
service. The game features three tables, with six more available as downloadable content
Downloadable content
Downloadable content is official additional content for a video game distributed through the Internet. Downloadable content can be of several types, ranging from a single in-game outfit to an entirely new, extensive storyline, similarly to an expansion pack. As such, DLC may add new game modes,...
, leaderboards
Game ladder
A ladder tournament is a form of tournament for games and sports. It is an extended tournament, which can potentially go on indefinitely. In a ladder tournament, players are listed as if on the rungs of a ladder. The objective for a player is to reach the highest rung of the ladder...
and online multiplayer. A sequel to the game, Pinball FX 2
Pinball FX 2
Pinball FX 2 is the sequel to the pinball machine video game Pinball FX for the Xbox 360. It was developed by Zen Studios and published by Microsoft Game Studios. It was released on October 27, 2010 via the Xbox Live Arcade service. The game features several new features, such as local...
was released on October 27, 2010.
The game received mixed reviews from critics, with aggregate websites GameRankings and Metacritic
Metacritic
Metacritic.com is a website that collates reviews of music albums, games, movies, TV shows and DVDs. For each product, a numerical score from each review is obtained and the total is averaged. An excerpt of each review is provided along with a hyperlink to the source. Three colour codes of Green,...
reporting scores of 70.56% and 69/100, respectively. Critics generally felt that the physics did well emulating a real pinball machine. Reviewers were divided on opinions of the game's multiplayer, with some calling for splitscreen gameplay, while others appreciated the online multiplayer component. It was a commercial success, selling over 362,000 copies as of July 28, 2010. It has been delisted from Xbox Live Arcade as all content can be imported into Pinball FX 2.
Gameplay
Pinball FX utilizes the same basic rules as a physical pinballPinball
Pinball is a type of arcade game, usually coin-operated, where a player attempts to score points by manipulating one or more metal balls on a playfield inside a glass-covered case called a pinball machine. The primary objective of the game is to score as many points as possible...
machine, albeit in a virtual environment. As with a traditional pinball machine, the player fires a steel ball onto the playfield using a plunger. Once the ball is in play the player controls the flippers and can nudge the machine to influence the path of the ball. Each of the game's tables become more complex as the game advances, opening new paths and opportunities.
The game allows use of the Xbox Live Vision camera to operate the flippers and to video chat with Xbox Live
Xbox Live
Xbox Live is an online multiplayer gaming and digital media delivery service created and operated by Microsoft Corporation. It is currently the only online gaming service on consoles that charges users a fee to play multiplayer gaming. It was first made available to the Xbox system in 2002...
opponents. It also features leaderboards
Game ladder
A ladder tournament is a form of tournament for games and sports. It is an extended tournament, which can potentially go on indefinitely. In a ladder tournament, players are listed as if on the rungs of a ladder. The objective for a player is to reach the highest rung of the ladder...
and online multiplayer for up to four players. Multiplayer games are won by being the first to achieve the set high score, which can be adjusted from 10 to 100 million points. Penalties can also be set for losing a ball with players losing anywhere from 5 to 25 percent of their score when a ball is lost.
Tables
Pinball FX was released with three tables, Speed Machine, a racing-themed table, Extreme, which features a skateboarding theme, and Agents, adorned with secret agents and spy gadgets. A fourth pirate-themed table entitled Buccaneer was released October 31, 2007 as a free download. Five additional paid contentPaid content
Paid content is the non-free electronic commerce of digital content and information goods in digital media. Examples of digital media are, for example, the Internet, the World Wide Web or mobile media...
tables were released prior to the release of the game's sequel, Pinball FX 2. The first table was released on January 16, 2008. Entitled Nightmare Mansion it features a campy, horror movie theme. The second paid table features characters from The Rocky and Bullwinkle Show
The Rocky and Bullwinkle Show
The Rocky & Bullwinkle Show is an American animated television series that originally aired from November 19, 1959 to June 28, 1964 on the ABC and NBC television networks...
and was released April 2, 2008. A third table featuring characters, sounds and music from Street Fighter II Turbo was released November 12, 2008. Earth Defense, the fourth table, features an alien invasion theme. It was released September 21, 2009 The final table, Excalibur, was released January 27, 2010. This table features a theme based on King Arthur
King Arthur
King Arthur is a legendary British leader of the late 5th and early 6th centuries, who, according to Medieval histories and romances, led the defence of Britain against Saxon invaders in the early 6th century. The details of Arthur's story are mainly composed of folklore and literary invention, and...
and the Knights of the Round Table
Round Table
The Round Table is King Arthur's famed table in the Arthurian legend, around which he and his Knights congregate. As its name suggests, it has no head, implying that everyone who sits there has equal status. The table was first described in 1155 by Wace, who relied on previous depictions of...
.
| Tables | ||
|---|---|---|
|
The Rocky and Bullwinkle Show The Rocky & Bullwinkle Show is an American animated television series that originally aired from November 19, 1959 to June 28, 1964 on the ABC and NBC television networks... |
|
Free downloadable content
Paid downloadable content
Development and marketing
Pinball FX was first revealed to the press November 7, 2006 at a Microsoft press event in San Francisco. It was then shown at the Game Developer's Conference on March 6, 2007. It was released for the Xbox 360 via the Xbox Live Arcade service on April 23, 2007. The game has been delisted from Xbox Live Arcade as all content can be imported into Pinball FX 2. If players wish to have the original tables but did not own the game, they can buy the Pinball FX Classic pack for Pinball FX 2, which contains the three original tables plus the Buccaneer table.Reception
Pinball FX received mixed reviews from critics. On the aggregate sites GameRankings and MetacriticMetacritic
Metacritic.com is a website that collates reviews of music albums, games, movies, TV shows and DVDs. For each product, a numerical score from each review is obtained and the total is averaged. An excerpt of each review is provided along with a hyperlink to the source. Three colour codes of Green,...
, it holds a score of 70.56% and 69/100, respectively. The game was a commercial success, selling over 362,000 copies as of July 28, 2010. Eurogamer
Eurogamer
Eurogamer is a Brighton-based website focused on video games news, reviews, previews and interviews. It is operated by Eurogamer Network Ltd., which was formed in 1999 by brothers Rupert and Nick Loman. Eurogamer has grown to become one of the most important European-based websites focused on...
's Dan Whitehead described the game as "a fantastic virtual pinball engine", comparing it to Pinball Dreams
Pinball Dreams
Pinball Dreams is a Commodore Amiga game from 1992 developed by Digital Illusions CE.It spawned several sequels, Pinball Fantasies, Pinball Dreams 2, Pinball Illusions, Pinball Mania, Pinball World...
. PinballAddicts praised the cost-to-value ratio, stating "at around US$10 you really can't go wrong." GameZone
GameZone
GameZone is an American multiplatform video game website. GameZone's daily coverage includes reviews, previews, news, hints & cheats, and editorials. Additionally, GameZone offers downloads, a child-targeted website and in association with GameStop, hosts GZGameShop, an online retailer...
's reviewer stated Pinball FX was "a visual treat and a solid challenge."
GameSpot
GameSpot
GameSpot is a video gaming website that provides news, reviews, previews, downloads, and other information. The site was launched in May 1, 1996 by Pete Deemer, Vince Broady and Jon Epstein. It was purchased by ZDNet, a brand which was later purchased by CNET Networks. CBS Interactive, which...
's Jeff Gerstmann praised the addition of online multiplayer, stating that it "has some neat ideas that keep things interesting a bit longer." Eurogamer's Dan Whitehead was more critical, stating use of the Xbox Live Vision camera was "an oddly remote and distant way of playing." GameZone
GameZone
GameZone is an American multiplatform video game website. GameZone's daily coverage includes reviews, previews, news, hints & cheats, and editorials. Additionally, GameZone offers downloads, a child-targeted website and in association with GameStop, hosts GZGameShop, an online retailer...
's reviewer disagreed, noting that use of the camera set the game apart from other titles. The reviewer further praised the game's sound effects, saying that they "carried the game forward."
Pinball FXs physics system was a common point of criticism among reviewers. While some praised the physics, others felt the system had issues. Dan Whitehead of Eurogamer felt the physics were precise. The reviewer from GameZone agreed, stating they "handled very well." "For the most part the physics in Pinball FX hold up, but there are a few issues that harm the overall experience" stated Hilary Goldstein of IGN
IGN
IGN is an entertainment website that focuses on video games, films, music and other media. IGN's main website comprises several specialty sites or "channels", each occupying a subdomain and covering a specific area of entertainment...
. Jeff Gerstmann felt that the "ball movement never feels realistic."
Reviewers were critical of the variety in the game. Hilary Goldstein of IGN felt the game did not have enough features, stating it had "three mediocre boards, a couple-hundred Achievement Points, and little else." Jeff Gerstmann of GameSpot also criticized the variety, calling the table designs "generic", adding that they "grow old quickly." GamePro
GamePro
GamePro Media was a United States gaming media company publishing online and print content on the video game industry, video game hardware, and video game software developed for a video game console , a computer, and/or a mobile device . GamePro Media properties include GamePro magazine and...
s Will Herring agreed, saying that the tables were "a little blander than might have been hoped for."