Pinball Collections: Favorites?

[Gabriel]

Considering that the past couple of years have seen the release of some excellent video pinball games, which ones are your favorites? Mine are:

 

Williams: Medieval Madness

 

There are a few things I can identify that I like in pinball. I like tables with ramps and orbits. I enjoy tables with strong themes, especially swords & sorcery. I like tables to be sonic experiences. Medieval Madness hits all these points with grand style.

 

Something I dislike about pinball machines is the relative obscurity of goals. Perhaps it's just me, but I have a problem grokking most tables. This is not a problem with Medieval Madness. I ascribe it in a large part to the theme of the table. It's so well applied that much of the table is an intuitive battle of knights and catapults. Everything from the Monty Python jokes to the guys that sound like the pixies from Willow add to the clarity and enjoyment of this table.

 

I also love the implementation of multiball in this game. Multiball modes are always the most exciting parts of pinball, and this table practically overdoses on tossing them at the player.

 

My high score is a pathetic 38 million, but I can and have played this machine for hours, feeding it virtual quarter after virtual quarter. I have no doubt that had I ever seen a real machine, I would have gone bankrupt.

 

 

Williams: Sorceror

 

If Medieval Madness is clearly a type of pinball table I'd like, then Sorceror seems like a table I'd immediately dislike. I'm not fond of "target" tables, and Sorceror's spelling gimmick immediately seems like a bad idea. The four rollovers at the top strike me as excessive (why not just three?), and the playfield generally reminds me of of a much older type of table. The lone ramp is plain and almost seems like an afterthought. The theme doesn't initially seem well applied either. All this goes to show that appearrances can be deceiving.

 

What Sorceror has is SOUND. It uses the classic Williams sound effects which are more readily associated with Defender, Joust, or Robotron. It combines it with the taunting and tititular Sorceror's voice for a little added incentive. The combination of the sonic experience with the ball(s) whizzing around the table bouncing off those targets which are right up in the player's face feels like an epic wizard's duel with fireballs flying through the air and fortresses being destroyed by lightning bolts. Sorceror may not do it's theme well on the surface, but it definitely delivers it to your gut as you play.

 

There's very little I would change about this table. After playing for a while those 4 rollovers seem like the perfect number. That "lame" ramp suddenly becomes very cool with multiball active and and all the lights and sound. Those irritating targets are almost like pure adrenalin being pumped right into my veins.

 

There's only one thing I don't like about this table: it's a bit of a side drainer. Other than that, I enjoy the table a lot.

 

My high score is a measly 6 million, 5 million of that on one ball. It may be a pathetic score, but hotdamn whatta rush!

 

 

Pinball FX: Speed Machine

 

Ramps, orbits, theme. This game also adds in another thing I like, a secondary board. It isn't much, and it's a one trick pony in this game, but it feels right and doesn't overwhelm the rest of the game.

 

Speed Machine is about racing. So, it's theme supporting gameplay is about doing laps (hitting the orbit), going fast (zipping through the overpass), evading cops (choosing the right ramp, or hitting the orbits in time), and doing stunts (pulling off combos). The theme application has it's flaws, but it's applied well enough that it does it's job well.

 

I think Speed Machine was supposed to be less about it's theme and more about being a tribute to a certain era of pinball machines (late 80s). I think it nails this aspect. I may not be a pinball expert, but it feels exactly like the machines I encountered in that era.

 

I think Speed Machine's biggest flaw is the relative obscurity of some of it's goals. Still, it's fun to do some laps with.

 

I believe my high score is somewhere in the 200 million range (this game scores far lower in Pinball FX 2). I basically did the Qualifying Race and got lucky on a couple of multiballs.

 

 

There you have it. If I sound like a pinball newb, then that's exactly right. I'm just trying to explain what I like and why I like it.

[cimerians]

I like:

 

Williams

Gorgar: Simple but its insanely addictive and challenging.

Sorcerer: Cool ramps and multiball is kind of easy to trigger.

Black Knight: Only cause I played this as a kid a lot.

Pin*Bot: I just like this game.

Space Shuttle: I dont know why but I always go back and play this.

Tales of the Arabian Nights: Nice table.

Medieval Madness: An easy table and lots of fun.

 

Pinball FX2 (Xbox 360):

Excalibur

Nightmare Mansion

Earth Defense

 

Zen Pinball (PS3):

Tesla

Ninja Gaiden II

Earth Defense

 

I like a few more tables on the 360 and PS3 but those are my top picks. I thought the Street Fighter II table was a bit disappointing. I turn off the ball effects as well. I like it to be as real as possible. Thumbs way up for the Xbox 360 Pinball FX2. THE BEST PINBALL PHYSICS\"EMULATION" I HAVE EVER EXPERIENCED.

[+HammR25]

I've only got the Williams Collection. Of those the following are my favorites:

 

Fun House is my favorite. I like socking that guy in the mouth.

Taxi - There's just something cool about a game that has Gorby in it.

 

It's too bad the Gottlieb Collection is only came out for the Wii and not the 360 and PS3.

[cimerians]

It's too bad the Gottlieb Collection is only came out for the Wii and not the 360 and PS3.

 

I have that on the PS2 but I don't play the PS2 all that much right now. It had some pretty good tables, I have to go back to that sometime. Although I think it wont be as pretty since I'm used to all the good stuff right now.

[Gabriel]

Space Shuttle: I dont know why but I always go back and play this.

 

I enjoy this one too. I don't know why either. It's a somewhat bland and strange table with lots of dead space. It's theme is pretty weak, and could be interchanged with just about anything else with no impact on the overall game. It's not particularly good, but it's just good enough to be entertaining when I'm burned out on the other tables.

 

I guess the best description is that it's consistent. It doesn't stand out in any particular way, but it's also a pretty easy and relaxing table which happens to avoid being a side drainer. And it has that Williams hallmark of easy multiball which makes any table pretty fun IMO.

[Gabriel]

Taxi - There's just something cool about a game that has Gorby in it.

 

A few months ago, this one would have been on my favorites too, but I'm mad at it right now. ...

 

Like many Williams tables it has a strong theme supported by gameplay. The dual orbiting ramps are fun and provide a cool rush.

 

I hate Lola. For some reason I tend to wipe out when trying to nail those drop downs when she finally decides to call for the cab.

 

And for some reason, I have a horrible time trying to nail the Drac target slot.

[+HammR25]

It's too bad the Gottlieb Collection is only came out for the Wii and not the 360 and PS3.

 

I have that on the PS2 but I don't play the PS2 all that much right now. It had some pretty good tables, I have to go back to that sometime. Although I think it wont be as pretty since I'm used to all the good stuff right now.

The Xbox version is on the compatibility list for the 360. I was just wishing they'd make a full version for the 360 and/or PS3.

[Atariboy]

I wish they'd redo it for the 360/PS3 well. It's hard going back to the standard definition releases after playing the William's Collection on the 360.

Edited November 12, 2010 by Atariboy

[moycon]

Williams : Black Knight

 

This one mainly for it's nostalgia. Every week-end when I'd get my allowance I'd bike to the local arcade and spend $5 on tokens (you actually got $6 worth of tokens that way!!) In the back of the arcade was around 8 pinalls but the Black Night was always the coolest. Always daring you to challenge him. The play field was dual leveled and really fun to play.

 

Williams : Gorgar

 

Another one I have fond memories of. What awesome art work this table had and it talked!! Had to have been one of the first talking pinballs. Even though it's a pretty flat playfield, the art work and the goals make it a blast to play.

 

I'd love to get either one of these tables in my bar at home.

[cimerians]

Williams : Black Knight

 

This one mainly for it's nostalgia. Every week-end when I'd get my allowance I'd bike to the local arcade and spend $5 on tokens (you actually got $6 worth of tokens that way!!) In the back of the arcade was around 8 pinalls but the Black Night was always the coolest. Always daring you to challenge him. The play field was dual leveled and really fun to play.

 

Williams : Gorgar

 

Another one I have fond memories of. What awesome art work this table had and it talked!! Had to have been one of the first talking pinballs. Even though it's a pretty flat playfield, the art work and the goals make it a blast to play.

 

I'd love to get either one of these tables in my bar at home.

 

 

Thats great to hear...I used to do the same thing. Bike to the local bowling alley with quarters to play Black Knight, cause it talked and just looked and sounded cool.

Same thing with Gorgar, that one was at an arcade that had pinball games in the back room.

 

I remember a lot more pinball games growing up, I wonder if we'll ever see them. Another one with great artwork was on a Space Invaders pinball machine. It had HR GIGER type artwork like from the Aliens movies.

[Cliff Friedel]

I like Pinball FX2 for the 360 and the Gottlieb collection for PSP.

[im_reg]

I think I'm going to buy Flipnic for the Sony Playstation 2. It's been listed in the 1001 Video Games to play before you die book that recently came out.

 

My all time favourite though is Dragon's Fury and Dragons Revenge on the Sega Mega Drive. Psycho Pinball by Codemasters on the Mega Drive is also really good.

[Austin]

I have still yet to play a modern (360-gen) pinball game. I've been meaning to pick up the Williams collection, but still haven't gotten around to it.

 

On the flipside of this topic, has anyone played Dream Pinball for the Wii? I *did* pick up the DS version, but returned it the next day. The SEVEN different camera angle options were so bad it was basically unplayable, IMO. The bad flipper action didn't help, either.

 

I think I'm going to buy Flipnic for the Sony Playstation 2. It's been listed in the 1001 Video Games to play before you die book that recently came out.

 

Yeah, it's an interesting game, albeit difficult. There are instances that occur where you can lose your ball outside of the standard drains. On the first level for instance, if you don't exit an area fast enough, it gets sucked up by UFOs. I can never seem to get past these areas quick enough and therefore never make it very far into the game. It's really neat though, and is one that I've been meaning to give a serious effort for a long time now.

[+Cafeman]

I'm new to pinball collections, just bought the Wii version of Williams Collection a few weeks ago. I've played it a lot; I was not previously aware that pinball games could have such complicated scoring schemes. I usually just tried to hit the ball and get the game to make noise.

 

Right now my favorites are:

 

Pin*bot. Cool voice, I love putting 2 balls into his eye sockets. I'm terrible of advancing to new planets though and I don't think I've ever progressed past the first 2 or 3. The left-side "drop targets" I think they're called, are on a timer and reset if you don't hit ALL of them in the same time window. I'm bad at that. Still, I think the game is a lot of fun. Getting the solar value is tough but I've done it a couple times, its cool how it carries forward to your next game until collected.

 

Funhouse. This is my fave. I like hitting Rudy with the ball. "I thought we were PALS..". I don't have much trouble getting the clock to midnight and even sinking one down his gullet for a "Rudy Gulp" bonus.

 

Taxi and Gorgar are my next favorites.

 

I got scared off of the Gottleib collection, which is older tech I've read. Everyone says it isn't nearly as good as the Williams Collection. But I still might pick it up on the cheap if I ever see it.

[cimerians]

I think I'm going to buy Flipnic for the Sony Playstation 2. It's been listed in the 1001 Video Games to play before you die book that recently came out.

 

 

Thats a strange but great Pinball game.

 

It's really wierd, it's not like an ordinary table. The ball kind of goes off onto other boards and the things you have to do are pretty hard.

 

Everything kind of flips around but if you play it enough you will know which ramps will take you where.

 

 

Its kind of annoying\frustrating (difficulty) but if your good at simulated or real pinball games you'll have a blast playing it. I keep the game next to my PS3 in case I ever want to have a quick game. For the price, its worth it.

[+HammR25]

I purchased all of the tables on Pinball FX 2 last night. The tables look cool but after awhile they all start to look the same. They're also a lot easier than real pinball machines. I don't really fear losing a ball on the sides and the flippers are pretty close together as well. I also find it odd that every table has to have at least 3 flippers. It's still a fun collection of tables, I just wish it could have had some more variety.

 

My two favorite tables would have to be Nightmare Mansion and Rome.

[Gabriel]

I got scared off of the Gottleib collection, which is older tech I've read. Everyone says it isn't nearly as good as the Williams Collection. But I still might pick it up on the cheap if I ever see it.

 

I'm not a big fan of the Gottlieb collection. About the only table on it I semi-enjoy is the pool themed one (8-Ball?). In terms of the collection overall, I think the flippers feel mushy and weak and the physics seem a little floaty and slow.

 

But that's OK.

 

I think the Gottlieb collection is important because it illustrates a completely different philosophy than the Williams collection. The tables are older (quite literally "before my time"). The technology and gameplay theory are entirely different from what came later. The collection is historical and is a good Yin to the Williams Yang. I recommend not being scared of it. It's just $10, at that price it's worth a couple of evenings' play.

 

It's kind of interesting to compare the later games on the collection (Tee'd Off and Victory) to the standard tables on the Williams disc. In my opinion, the Gottlieb tables feel cluttered and haphazard. They feel crowded. Even the busiest Williams tables such as Tales of the Arabian Nights and Whirlwind don't feel as claustrophobic. Anyone agree?

[Gabriel]

I purchased all of the tables on Pinball FX 2 last night. The tables look cool but after awhile they all start to look the same. They're also a lot easier than real pinball machines. I don't really fear losing a ball on the sides and the flippers are pretty close together as well. I also find it odd that every table has to have at least 3 flippers. It's still a fun collection of tables, I just wish it could have had some more variety.

 

Yes. This is indeed a big difference between the Pinball FX/Zen tables and the classics emulated on the collection discs. The emulated machines are ruthless and merciless drainers, because they were made to suck quarters.

[cimerians]

I got scared off of the Gottleib collection, which is older tech I've read. Everyone says it isn't nearly as good as the Williams Collection. But I still might pick it up on the cheap if I ever see it.

 

I'm not a big fan of the Gottlieb collection. About the only table on it I semi-enjoy is the pool themed one (8-Ball?). In terms of the collection overall, I think the flippers feel mushy and weak and the physics seem a little floaty and slow.

 

But that's OK.

 

I think the Gottlieb collection is important because it illustrates a completely different philosophy than the Williams collection. The tables are older (quite literally "before my time"). The technology and gameplay theory are entirely different from what came later. The collection is historical and is a good Yin to the Williams Yang. I recommend not being scared of it. It's just $10, at that price it's worth a couple of evenings' play.

 

It's kind of interesting to compare the later games on the collection (Tee'd Off and Victory) to the standard tables on the Williams disc. In my opinion, the Gottlieb tables feel cluttered and haphazard. They feel crowded. Even the busiest Williams tables such as Tales of the Arabian Nights and Whirlwind don't feel as claustrophobic. Anyone agree?

 

 

I agree. It's exactly how you describe it. Most are before my time as well and just not all that fun. They don't really feel right either (the ball physics and flippers)

 

Right now, I'm hoping we see some more collections like Bally (Space Invaders!)

[onmode-ky]

I got scared off of the Gottleib collection, which is older tech I've read. Everyone says it isn't nearly as good as the Williams Collection. But I still might pick it up on the cheap if I ever see it.

 

I'm not a big fan of the Gottlieb collection. About the only table on it I semi-enjoy is the pool themed one (8-Ball?). In terms of the collection overall, I think the flippers feel mushy and weak and the physics seem a little floaty and slow.

 

But that's OK.

 

I think the Gottlieb collection is important because it illustrates a completely different philosophy than the Williams collection. The tables are older (quite literally "before my time"). The technology and gameplay theory are entirely different from what came later. The collection is historical and is a good Yin to the Williams Yang. I recommend not being scared of it. It's just $10, at that price it's worth a couple of evenings' play.

 

It's kind of interesting to compare the later games on the collection (Tee'd Off and Victory) to the standard tables on the Williams disc. In my opinion, the Gottlieb tables feel cluttered and haphazard. They feel crowded. Even the busiest Williams tables such as Tales of the Arabian Nights and Whirlwind don't feel as claustrophobic. Anyone agree?

 

I had Gottlieb Collection before I had Williams Collection (both for PS2; later also got Williams Collection for PS3), and I feel the latter was a massive improvement over its predecessor, in many ways. Gottlieb's physics really did feel off compared to Williams'; in particular, I swear there was something wrong with the physics on Tee'd Off's left flipper, because I was never able to get consistent aim with it. Every other flipper on every other table I eventually got control of, but not that one. Any shot off that flipper had a very high probability of not going where I wanted it to go. Then there were the game's bugs, like Black Hole often dropping the ball off the table (there's a recovery mechanism for this in Williams, but not in Gottlieb).

 

Also, I agree that the later tables in Gottlieb feel haphazard in design compared to those in Williams. Victory is memorable for making me think, "These are some really strange path placements."

 

One of the perks I got from getting the PS3 version of Williams was the addition of online leaderboards, as I was never sure just how good I really was at pinball. I'm better than everyone I know, but I'm also the only person I know who really likes pinball. According to the PS3 Williams, I'm pretty good; not the best, but pretty good. Back when I was playing the collection often, earlier this year, I was in the top 400 on the leaderboards of every table except Black Knight (top 800 there), and I even got into the top 100 on several (including the Williams Challenge, and even the top 20 for Jive Time, a table I absolutely can't stand, ironically).

 

Regarding Pin*Bot in particular, I'm proud that at my best, I think I once made it through that drain-o-matic table's defenses consistently enough that I got to the sun and hit the Special twice. If I didn't actually do it a second time, I know I at least got close.

 

I have Flipnic as well, but I found it a little disappointing. When playing it, I feel like I have distinctly less control over the ball than in the Hall of Fame collections.

 

It isn't a console game, but has anyone played the Classic Arcade Pinball TV Game plug-n-play system from Jakks Pacific (2004)? I liked it enough that I created a topic with my FAQ for the game's 3 tables a few years ago (I later also put the FAQ on my own site). The tables aren't as complex as, say, the average table in Williams Collection, but they're complex enough that my FAQ ended up being fairly long. Decent physics and difficulty as well, particularly in the Wizard mode. I also know of another of Jakks' TV Game systems, the Dragon Ball Z model, that has a pinball game, but I thought that one was too easy (my FAQ includes a review of it). That particular TV Game system, though, does have a really good paddle game.

 

onmode-ky

[+HammR25]

Hopefully the new Marvel Pinball tables are cool as well:

 

http://kotaku.com/5690249/marvel-pinball-from-comics-page-to-silver-ball

[cimerians]

Hopefully the new Marvel Pinball tables are cool as well:

 

http://kotaku.com/5690249/marvel-pinball-from-comics-page-to-silver-ball

 

Thats sweet. It seems he liked the tables quite a bit but being a Marvel fan (at least an old Marvel fan) I'm going to grab a few of these.

[Gabriel]

Hopefully the new Marvel Pinball tables are cool as well:

 

http://kotaku.com/5690249/marvel-pinball-from-comics-page-to-silver-ball

 

I'm definitely going to be looking into these.

 

I can't tell much of anything about the tables from the video. From what little I can see, the Spider Man table looks neatest.

[raskar42]

Dr Who - Midway/Bally

[+HammR25]

On the Marvel Pinball website they let you vote for which character is next to get a table:

 

http://www.marvelpinball.com/