There’s something magical about a pinball table that nothing else quite captures. Despite becoming increasingly uncommon in the wild, you can still find them in classic arcades (not the ones full of 2p pusher machines) or game expos like EGX if you’re lucky enough to go. Combine the experience with a film or TV show you know and love, and you’re on to a winner.
Pinball FX, a franchise launched in 2007, is now a free to play game on Xbox which aims to recreate these feelings within the comfort of your own living room. With more than 120 tables ranging from original creations to faithful recreations of arcade classics, the talented folks at Zen Studios have been hard at it for many years now.
The catch? The base game comes with three tables at no cost but if you would like to add to your collection, you’ll have to prize open that wallet of yours. The latest expansion, Pinball FX – Williams Pinball Volume 8, brings another three tables to the party. The question is, are they an essential addition to your collection?
This expansion is a trip back to the 80s, comprising the tables Black Knight 2000, Banzai Run and Earthshaker! These Williams’ classics are brought up to date in silky smooth 4K Ultra HD and even boast ray tracing too. The table lighting is really impressive, along with the backdrop that places you in your very own swanky games room.
Black Knight 2000 was the first table I played, and instantly became the most memorable thanks to the wonderfully catchy theme. It reminds of a children’s fantasy cartoon from the 80s and is absolutely brilliant.
The table itself is pretty simple, with a u-turn tunnel offering some quick points, and an upper segment of the table which can be used to activate the “WAR” bonus. Other bonuses trigger a spin of the central wheel, which can yield all sorts of different rewards. It’s good fun, even if a little less varied than the other two.
Next up was Banzai Run, themed around a dirt bike race. This table features a large racing loop you can shoot the ball through, as well as a path to the separate playfield above the main table. This elevates the action as you attempt to scale the top of Banzai Hill.
The unique two-in-one pinball table is a great feature of Banzai Run, and it also features a flipper halfway up the main table. It’s important to use it, otherwise your ball is often placed onto an unstoppable trajectory straight down the drain.
Finally, we have Earthshaker! You play under the constant threat of earth tremors on this table, however there are a lot of chutes, bumpers and bonuses to hit as you play. This is the most action packed table of the tree, which meant it squeaked in as my favourite, slightly ahead of Banzai Run.
However it’s pretty difficult and your ball will find its way to the drain more often than you may like. There is a small metal stud in between your flippers to help, but it’s still difficult for the ball not to find its way down the drain.
The pinball physics in Pinball FX – Williams Pinball Volume 8 feel pretty accurate, with normal and realistic options depending on the level of challenge you want. There’s a noticeable difference in how fast and heavy the ball feels in realistic mode, making it more unpredictable. Be warned that however you play, just like in the arcades, you’re always just one wrong move away from losing it down the drain.
I’m no pinball expert, and I’m not actually very good at the game either. However, Pinball FX – Williams Pinball Volume 8 feels utterly faithful, even including a recreation of the original dot matrix display in the corner of your screen for each machine. The experience is the closest you can get without tracking down the cabinet itself and plugging it in for use in your own living room.
However, there are plenty of new animations that pimp up the classic tables too. These include the Black Knight throwing an electric bolt spear onto the table akin to Zeus and an apartment block collapsing on the Earthshaker! table. You can toggle these on and off at the touch of the button, in the event you want to go back to the OG experience and keep it pure.
The blend of retro and modern elements are well balanced and do nothing to detract from the enjoyment of the game. If you’re a little stuck, the table guide will run you through the basics on how each one works. Or, just bash the flippers and hope for the best like I did.
To further enhance your experience, you can switch between several camera angles that give you a view of the whole playfield, or track your ball as it pings around the table. If you’re a little fussy, you can manually adjust the camera too.
These tables also feature various ways to play including classic, arcade and hot seat modes. Arcade introduces active and passive powers, such as boosting your score or slowing down time to help pull off the perfect manoeuvre. Hot seat is essentially local multiplayer, allowing each person to take it in turns to emerge victorious.
In addition you can choose from a series of customisation options which add an extra dimension to the action, such as flip and distance limits. Check out the tournaments too which allow high score chasers to compete on cross platform leaderboards. These factors combine to breathe plenty of life into the game of pinball, adding longevity to Pinball FX – Williams Pinball Volume 8.
Questlines are back too, which offer varying challenges across the new tables, such as only being able to use one ball, or having to hit score thresholds against the clock. Completing these is no easy task, especially if you want to earn 3 bumpers per round. Stick at it though to bag rewards as you earn points and complete challenges across the new tables. Carpets, trophies, posters (and more) can be displayed in your virtual game room to flex your pinball prowess.
Pinball FX – Williams Pinball Volume 8 will set you back £12.49, and for three tables that isn’t too steep. But neither is it a steal. The variety of game modes and modifiers will keep you coming back for more, with an added nostalgia hit for those long standing pinball fans. However, if you aren’t sure, check out the base game first and maybe download some free trials before you commit.
Pinball FX – Williams Pinball Volume 8 further expands the roster with three tables aimed at fans of the game. However, with the added bells and whistles there is enough here to keep the majority from flipping out.
Williams Pinball Volume 8 Rolls Out on Pinball FX: A Blast from the Past for Pinball Wizards – https://www.thexboxhub.com/williams-pinball-volume-8-rolls-out-on-pinball-fx-a-blast-from-the-past-for-pinball-wizards/
Buy Williams Pinball Volume 8 – https://www.xbox.com/en-gb/games/store/pinball-fx-williams-pinball-volume-8/9plk7n30xxs8
