Pinball machines have always been
popular among the arcade- and video-game scene, and pinball software games have
always been around. Now, the newest title has hit. Its name is Zen Pinball and
its been released on the PlayStation Network (PSN).
Zen Pinball is a nice reminder of
the days of arcade hopping and pinball tournaments with friends. The title
offers four pinball machines or “tables.” The four machines have different
themes, and those are V12, Tesla, El Dorado and Shaman. Each pinball machine’s
looks are themed after its name. The four machines are quite creative, and look
amazing. Each comes with a level of difficulty as well. There are different
camera views you will have to use to “master the table.” Everything you know
about pinball machines is used in this software title. You have your tilts, you
have your overall high scores, best score speeds, best one minute scores and you
have some all around fun. Did I mention you also have to find all the secrets to
the tables to get that ultimate high score you want?
The game features single player as
well as a multiplayer mode. In single player, you obviously are playing by
yourself and are able to choose whichever course you want to play. There are
some trophies you can get with this title, but the main point is to be on the
highly exclusive scoreboards. But once you get over playing by yourself, natural
curiosity will lead you to the multiplayer mode. Somehow pinball high scores
work perfectly with playing multiplayer online, and Zen Pinball definitely did
this mode right. You can play with your friends on locally or you can take the
action online where you can face off against three other players. The goal is to
reach a set high score first. It can get pretty intense at times, and is a ton
of fun. Other options include: join a custom game, join a quick game and to
create your own. So, gamers, you will not be disappointed with the multiplayer
in this game.
The graphics are beautiful in this
pinball title. The pinball machines are very sharp and crisp, and are the
absolute closest you can get to playing pinball without actually being at a
pinball machine. The original soundtrack for the game is average, but the
developers added the option of playing your own playlists, which is a great
addition to this game.
Just like most games though, this
one did have some things that won’t sit well with players. First of all, there
are only four pinball machines you can play. For the $9.99, I thought the title
should have at least a few more pinball machines available to play. Four doesn’t
seem to be enough for me, and this will disappoint some players, once they
download the game.
Otherwise, Zen Pinball did a lot of
things right. Adding trophy support, being able to listen to your own playlists
and multiplayer pinball kept this game afloat with its lack of playable pinball
machines.
Gameplay: 7.0
Not much has changed from past pinball titles and this one. The same classic
gameplay, the same classic fun.
Graphics: 8.0
This is without a doubt, the best looking pinball game to date. Very crisp and
clear visuals will give you the illusion that you are actually playing a pinball
machine in an arcade somewhere.
Sound: 8.0
The sounds and audio for Zen Pinball are average, but the option of playing your
own playlists keeps Zen Pinball at the top.
Difficulty: Easy
Pinball is easy to play, but it’s always hard to compete with those top
pinballers out there.
Concept: 7.0
No one has really released something new to the pinball genre. It has always
been a classic nostalgia-type title, and although this one does some nice
themes, it isn’t much different than pinball titles of the past.
Multiplayer: 8.0
Trying to get a higher score than online players will make you go crazy, but
that is what it’s all about. The multiplayer could have only been better with
the option of playing more than three people.
Overall: 7.7
Zen Pinball did show up with crystal clear graphics, fun classic gameplay and an
option to play your own music, but only having four pinball machines really hurt
this title. Thankfully, an intense multiplayer mode saved this game and will
have pinballers everywhere trying to find that score of 1 billion.
