Review: Pinball FX2

Dude plays a mean pinball.

Developer: Zen Studios 
Publisher: Zen Studios
Platforms:  PS3/ Xbox 360 [Xbox 360 reviewed]

I’m a child of the 80s, and like many children of the 80s I spent more than my fair share of time tucked away in my local arcade. It was dirty, dingy and at times smokey but it was always the place to be on Friday nights. Well, that and the local Roller-skate rink, which was also jam packed with arcade cabinets. But as luck would have it, more often than not you’d find me stuck in front of a cabinet of Galaga or a Pinball table. 

Pinball is the original video game in my eyes. A visual game of skill, sounds and more than I’d care to admit, a hell of a lot of luck that delivered a gaming experience that nothing else could in its heyday. 

I’ve always wanted to own my own Pinball table, but even the cheapest of tables will easily set you back a couple grand. Which is why Zen Studio’s Pinball FX2 is a godsend for any Pinball junkie. 

If you’ve played more than a few games of the silver ball, you’ll know that physics are everything in a great pinball experience. If you can’t get the feel and flow of Pinball right, then nothing else matters.

That said, I’ve played more enough real tables to come away highly impressed by what Zen has accomplished with Pinball FX2. In fact, I’d go so far as to say — Pinball FX2 is the closest I’ll ever get to owning a real table and honestly, with how good their tables feel, I’m OK with that. 

From the classic adventure movie inspired tables like Agent, Pasha and Buccaneer to the highly inventive Marvel comics tables; Zen has delivered a pinball lovers dream come true. The Marvel tables in particular are phenomenal. Their Marvel pack consists of 4 tables all themed around a particular Marvel Hero. Spider-Man, Wolverine, Blade and Iron Man are all in the bunch. With a newly added Fantastic Four table (Captain America is coming soon) adding even more Marvel comics inspired fun. 

Of all the tables my favorite so far has to be the Blade table. The table literally has day and night cycles, changing up the gameplay from light to dark with new bonuses to unlock. It had me smiling like a kid in a candy store. 

Much has to be made of the pure love and attention to detail that Zen has crafted in all of their tables. Wolverine will occasionally come out and fight Sabretooth, Doctor Doom will spread his doom over the Fantastic Four table and even Spidey will quip a couple of one-liners while you try to rack up points against the Green Goblin. Each table is meticulously digitally crafted to each Marvel Super Hero.

I rarely ever have a review where I can honestly say that there isn’t something I feel could be added or tweaked, but damn if Pinball FX 2 has me stumped. If you’re a Pinball fan or just someone looking to get into Pinball games, then there is literally no better Pinball game on the planet digitally that can touch Zen’s work. The only way you’re getting a more authentic Pinball experience is to have an actual real Pinball table in your living room.

Galaxy Minute

-As close to Pinball as your going to get digitally.

-Spot on physics and sound effects bring the Pinball experience to life

-Each Marvel table is loaded with personality

-I still can’t afford a real table