|
Welcome to the Pinball Megathread! . . . .  The purpose of this thread is to serve as a place for discussion of all things pinball: both physical tables and pinball video games. Feel free to use and abuse this thread to find Xbox Live/PSN/Steam friends to play with or dick-wave about your high score. Want to chat live with your fellow Pingoons? There's a Discord for that: https://discord.gg/GWu4x2U Pinball Video Games  The Pinball Arcade (Steam, Xbox1, PS4, Switch, Android, iOS, Ouya) Pinball Arcade focuses on classic real-world tables from different manufacturers including Your favorite classics? Twilight Zone, Star Trek: TNG, Terminator 2, The loving Addams Family? Click for a list of list of currently available TPA tables  Pinball FX 3 (Steam, Xbox1, PS4, Switch) Where The Pinball Arcade focuses on real-life tables, Pinball FX historically focused on tables designed for a digital format. This allows them to insert some pretty cool (and occasionally really annoying) playfield elements and options that simply wouldn't be possible on a real, physical machine. Players can download the Pinball FX 3 "framework" for free, with the option to demo and purchase individual tables or full packs. There are many original tables now available, including themed packs for Marvel Comics, Star Wars, South Park, Bethesda, FOX/FX cartoons, and more. Zen Studios has the rights to publish classic Williams/Bally tables and has been regularly adding these machines into Pinball FX 3. Unfortunately, so far they haven't been able/willing to secure tables with licensed content -- so no Addams Family, Star Trek: TNG, etc.  Stern Pinball Arcade Seriously, don't buy this.  Visual Pinball (PC) For many years, Visual Pinball was the only way to get digital versions of most physical tables with licensed properties. While The Pinball Arcade and Pinball FX have brought back some classic tables, Visual Pinball is still the only way to play many licensed titles. Visual Pinball is a free engine that allows designers to create tables using a fairly robust toolset. Players can download tables and... hold on... *** The legality of downloading copyrighted tables is questionable at best, so while VP itself is free and legal, please don't link to any table sites here. *** We'll just say that there are lots of Visual Pinball tables out there, and they're not hard to find. Even after years of development, getting everything working correctly can be tricky. The quality of table designs varies wildly, as they're only as good as the community creating them. Visual Pinball is great for the truly hardcore fans, but casual pinball players should be served perfectly well by the other titles above. WhiteHowler fucked around with this message at 20:52 on Oct 22, 2020 |
#
?
Oct 29, 2010 22:18
|
|
|
|
| # ? Apr 26, 2024 14:09 |
|
|
 Pinball Machines! There have been many pinball manufacturers over the years, with major players once including Williams, Bally/Midway, Gottlieb, and Stern. Unfortunately, pinball has fallen upon hard times over the past decade, and most of these companies have disappeared or abandoned the pinball industry. Up until a few years ago, Stern has been the only company still mass-producing pinball machines, releasing a few titles each year. These are almost always based on modern TV or movie licenses, and while the games are usually technically sound, some pinball fans feel that Stern's tables lack the "soul" of classic early-90's machines, and there are many complaints about cheap-looking table elements. There are a few other recent-ish entries into the pinball world. Jersey Jack has produced new tables based on The Wizard of Oz and The Hobbit films, which feature color LCD screens and high-quality table elements. They also put out an incredibly timely table themed around... cellphones. Spooky Pinball has turned out new tables in small numbers as well, and Chicago Gaming has produced new production runs of the classic Medieval Madness and Attack From Mars machines. Goon-approved favorite tables to check out if you get the opportunity: Bally/Midway: The Addams Family, Twilight Zone Williams: Star Trek: The Next Generation, Medieval Madness, Black Knight Stern: Game of Thrones, Tron: Legacy, Roller Coaster Tycoon Gottlieb: Any classic mechanical tables from the 60's-70's Data East: uh... I guess Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles isn't completely terrible? Resources: Pinside Map: Find tables to play near you! Pinside Marketplace: Buy and sell tables CzarChasm's tips for newbies: quote:For anyone looking for pinball tips I have a few for beginners. Please note that while most of my experience is virtual, these tips should apply to real pinball tables as well. WhiteHowler fucked around with this message at 17:44 on Sep 4, 2018 |
|
#
?
Oct 29, 2010 22:19
|
|
|
Having a blast with this, added a few people yesterday. If anybody wants another pinball buddy my gamertag is robdog49er
|
|
#
?
Oct 29, 2010 22:45
|
|
|
For some reason the new pinball fx2 tables reminded me of Extreme Pinball for the PC, but after re-looking it up, I don't think it actually has the "doesn't work in real life" things in it. I guess i'll throw my GT in as well: Backlash Jack Also are any of the premium FX1 tables worth it (not counting SF2 and Rocky and Bullwinkle) when compared to FX2 stuff?
|
|
#
?
Oct 29, 2010 22:54
|
|
|
Throw me on that FX multiplayer list. Together, we can unlock those wizard robes for our avatars! I'm at about 7,500 so far. Only 92,500 to go! GT: Tele Viper 101
|
|
#
?
Oct 29, 2010 22:58
|
|
|
You made the thread, you magnificent bastard! GT: Zero Karizma Let's get our loving Wizard Robes!
|
|
#
?
Oct 29, 2010 22:59
|
|
|
Feel free to add me, as some of you already have done GT: Spatula King Also I would love to hear some general strategies for some of the tables. Well, not really strategies but more along the lines of the kinds of things I should be going for. I have yet to figure out what the gently caress is going on in "Rome", but I have a better idea about "Agents". Just any tips would be awesome.
|
|
#
?
Oct 29, 2010 23:04
|
|
|
I'd love to give strategies, but damned if I know. To contribute, from the other thread, an unanswered question for everyone: What view mode do you guys like? I think View 3 is probably the best mix of being able to see what's going on up top, but giving you enough leeway to protect the bottom.
|
|
#
?
Oct 29, 2010 23:08
|
|
|
The wizard thinks he's so loving good, let's kick his rear end and steal his robes. GT: a bad priestZero Karizma posted:I'd love to give strategies, but damned if I know. ----------------
|
|
#
?
Oct 29, 2010 23:16
|
|
|
Zero Karizma posted:I'd love to give strategies, but damned if I know. This was a question I was going to ask as well. Also I'm not quite fond of Pasha (Is that the name?) simply because of the jarring scrolling view. Does one of the other views change that?
|
|
#
?
Oct 29, 2010 23:16
|
|
|
I grabbed FX2 so I could play the FX1 tables in it. Probably gonna grab the FX2 tables when I have more money. GT is ixnay37 if anyone wants to add me. I didn't have much of an interest in pinball until gamefly sent me Pinball HOF, which was just fantastic.
|
|
#
?
Oct 29, 2010 23:22
|
|
|
If you are anywhere in Las Vegas, I suggest you check out the Pinball Museum. I had a blast, go on your way out of Vegas and you will feel like a winner. http://www.pinballmuseum.org/
|
|
#
?
Oct 29, 2010 23:24
|
|
|
WhiteHowler posted:
That's got to be bullshit, with all the cost cutting Stern have done the new tables are nothing like the old ones they put out, they can barely afford to put anything on the table anymore. It's a shame now they finally have some good licenses (Iron Man, Avatar) they are wasting them on bare tables. If anyone heard about the australian guy who bought all the old Williams rights and was supposed to be making more Medieval Madness' he has sold up to an American company. Sadly he is still supposed to be producing the MMs so good luck if you paid that deposit 5 years ago I guess!
|
|
#
?
Oct 29, 2010 23:34
|
|
|
aga. posted:That's got to be bullshit, with all the cost cutting Stern have done the new tables are nothing like the old ones they put out, they can barely afford to put anything on the table anymore. It's a shame now they finally have some good licenses (Iron Man, Avatar) they are wasting them on bare tables. I should get a chance to play it this Sunday, so I'll let you know how it plays.
|
|
#
?
Oct 29, 2010 23:50
|
|
|
Please add me to your friends list. I have many WIZARD POINTS. GT: Knighted Also I'd like to suggest Bally/Midway's World Cup Soccer (1994) for the list in the OP. It's an incredibly fun game with lots of "GOOOOOOOALL!" being shouted at you. Edit: And further, the OP should also mention TILT: The Battle to Save Pinball, a very interesting documentary about Williams' Pinball 2000 platform.
|
|
#
?
Oct 30, 2010 00:46
|
|
|
The local arcade dealer guy's market dried up what with the recession so he opened a 20,000 square foot arcade in the local mall. He's also a restoration guy so it's full of fancy old electromechanical pinball tables, too. I played Cirqus Voltaire and holy poo poo it is '90s as gently caress.
|
|
#
?
Oct 30, 2010 00:54
|
|
|
Hell yeah, I'm always up for some wizard points boosting. Also, I don't remember it was a particularly good table but I played a lot of Whirlwind as a kid. Really good on a hot summer day to trigger storm mode. EDIT: The Pro Pinball series is also available on Good Ol' Games and they've been tweaked to run on modern systems just fine.
|
|
#
?
Oct 30, 2010 01:01
|
|
|
I'm down for some robe stealing. Added a lot of people from this thread, GT Khlamydia Koala Only have the PFX1 tables for now. Just had a good run on nightmare mansion (35M)
|
|
#
?
Oct 30, 2010 02:09
|
|
|
I just saw the wizard's robe on the news ticker, looks more like a wizard hoodie. Also what are the upper and lower "arm sensitivity" options in the operator's menu? I'm guessing they adjust the dead zones on the triggers?
|
|
#
?
Oct 30, 2010 02:36
|
|
|
snackmar posted:Please add me to your friends list. I have many WIZARD POINTS. I will come back and triumph on Excalibur. Just not this evening. Cracked 20mil on ball 3 and then lost it. Wrist hurts. You will fall. Billy Gnosis posted:For some reason the new pinball fx2 tables reminded me of Extreme Pinball for the PC, but after re-looking it up, I don't think it actually has the "doesn't work in real life" things in it. I saw some of your scores sir, you are going to have to explain to me what you understand about this game and some of the tables (Or it could be luck, some of my scores aren't even from doing the missions but just GOTTA KEEP THE BALL IN PLAY MAN) Stealthed Zombie fucked around with this message at 03:23 on Oct 30, 2010 |
|
#
?
Oct 30, 2010 03:21
|
|
|
I'll do the pfx2 score challenge <-GT My favorite table has always been Pin-Bot, dunno if it's because of quality or if it's just because that was always the one that seemed to be around when I was a kid. Terminator 2 is my second favorite, see above but replace kid with teenager.
|
|
#
?
Oct 30, 2010 03:31
|
|
|
Add me to list please, WhiteHowler. Gamertag: petewhitley Billy Gnosis posted:Also are any of the premium FX1 tables worth it (not counting SF2 and Rocky and Bullwinkle) when compared to FX2 stuff? Excalibur is very good. It's crazy exciting when you start to siege the castle and hurdle flaming balls towards it. Fly Ricky fucked around with this message at 04:22 on Oct 30, 2010 |
|
#
?
Oct 30, 2010 04:13
|
|
|
Updated the XBL gamertag list. I got to play a little more on the new tables tonight. My impressions so far: - Biolab: Really cool idea, although I haven't found many "sidequests" apart from upgrading the creature. The goal progression isn't too bad except for the Wisdom upgrade, which takes three Skill Shots with very little time for error. I still haven't nailed that one yet, mainly thanks to the Xbox analog stick's tiny range of motion. - Secrets of the Deep: Wow. This is a busy, busy table. I have no idea what's going on. Sometimes it will tell me to do something and then say "You failed" before I can finish reading. Still, the elements are really cool, and it's probably the highest on the fun scale so far. Once I figure everything out, I bet this will be my favorite FX2 core table. - Rome: lovely, lovely angles everywhere. I was ready to write off this table until I got to do a galleon attack. Catapults and flames?  It may grow on me over time, but I dislike the angles of the two aquaduct ramps and don't know if I'll be able to get used to them.- Pasha: A good all-around table. Nothing really stands out for me. The guard battle is a neat mechanic, but it happens a bit too frequently. I've only played twice so far, so I'll probably discover more cool things with time. I'm not sure how anyone's going to get 100,000 Wizard Score without stocking their friends list exclusively with people who play entirely too much pinball. I want that robe, but I just don't see it happening.
|
|
#
?
Oct 30, 2010 05:17
|
|
|
I picked up Pinball Hall of Fame: The Williams Collection on the Wii at my local Wal-Mart for $10 and I felt I got my money's worth and more out of it. The Wiimote + Nunchuck controls are perfect for it and does a decent job at making you think that you're playing a real pinball machine. If you can find it, I highly recommend getting it. I gave up on it because of one of the regular challenges on Whirlwind (I forgot which one it was, but I remember that you had to complete it on one ball since the entire board resets when you lose a ball  ).I do wanna try Pinball FX2 though, I never played the original one (my 360 did come with the demo for it, but I never tried it), but a pinball game with downloadable tables sounds awesome in my book. Do they release new tables every week like they do (or did, if GR dies soon due to Krome's closing  ) in Game Room?
|
|
#
?
Oct 30, 2010 05:28
|
|
|
^ They didn't put much out for FX1, maybe 4 or 5 tables. I really hope they Game Room it up this time around.WhiteHowler posted:Updated the XBL gamertag list. quote:I'm not sure how anyone's going to get 100,000 Wizard Score without stocking their friends list exclusively with people who play entirely too much pinball. I want that robe, but I just don't see it happening. homeless snail fucked around with this message at 05:31 on Oct 30, 2010 |
|
#
?
Oct 30, 2010 05:28
|
|
|
My dads a huge pinball wizard. I grew up with a whole bunch of early 1970s Gottlieb machines in our living room. The one I remember most is the Abra-Ca-Dabra machine since that one has always been there. Its been carved into hell and theres a giant "ELVIS COSTELLO" carved into the side of the backglass casing. He also has Close Encounters of the 3rd Kind, Sinbad, Bank-A-Ball, and Countdown, but they've all been in pieces in the basement for the last 20 years and I have no idea if they still work. I want those machines so bad regardless. As far as he told me he got them all from some farmer in Pennsylvania in the late 70s. The guy kept them in his stable and they were all in really ratty but working condition, and sold them for 10-50 bucks each. My uncle has a Williams machine apparently. I've never seen it and I don't think my aunt would be too keen on having that in their house. Irish Taxi Driver fucked around with this message at 05:33 on Oct 30, 2010 |
|
#
?
Oct 30, 2010 05:31
|
|
|
Obeast posted:Do they release new tables every week like they do (or did, if GR dies soon due to Krome's closing The tables have to be built from scratch, so there's no way that they could do weekly releases unfortunately. However it's been all but confirmed that there will be a Marvel table in December. That'll probably be the first post-release DLC.
|
|
#
?
Oct 30, 2010 05:38
|
|
|
Obeast posted:I picked up Pinball Hall of Fame: The Williams Collection on the Wii at my local Wal-Mart for $10 and I felt I got my money's worth and more out of it. The Wiimote + Nunchuck controls are perfect for it and does a decent job at making you think that you're playing a real pinball machine. If you can find it, I highly recommend getting it. I gave up on it because of one of the regular challenges on Whirlwind (I forgot which one it was, but I remember that you had to complete it on one ball since the entire board resets when you lose a ball quote:I do wanna try Pinball FX2 though, I never played the original one (my 360 did come with the demo for it, but I never tried it), but a pinball game with downloadable tables sounds awesome in my book. Do they release new tables every week like they do (or did, if GR dies soon due to Krome's closing  , and well worth your money.homeless snail posted:I don't know how its triggered, but there is a Brains upgrade side table where you have to navigate a rat maze. Its not randomized or anything though so its kind of asinine.
|
|
#
?
Oct 30, 2010 05:38
|
|
|
The only pinball I remember playing as a child was a game called Pinball Dreams on the NES, no idea if this was an accurate measure of actual pinball, but I remember many sleepless nights at the ages of 7/8 playing it and trying to get better scores. Someone needs to explain the absolute basics of pinball and table design for people like me who have no idea about the game itself but enjoy high score type gaming
|
|
#
?
Oct 30, 2010 06:27
|
|
|
I'd like some more Pinball FX2 buddies.  Despite my introduction to the genre being pokemon pinball on the gameboy color as a child and probably only playing physical tables three or four times, I really like pinball videogames. I don't think I'm terrible, but I'm clueless about whats good at pinball. I have to admit that Metorid Prime Pinball on the DS was one of my favorites previously. I thought that game was a cool adaption of Metroid Prime, the duel screens were used well for a cool layered experience, and the tables were varied and had lots to do. I just wish there had been more incentive for me to want to score more, but I didn't have any friends with the game. One example of how growing up in the post arcade era, I'm glad things like XBLA enables great score competition for certain games.
|
|
#
?
Oct 30, 2010 12:23
|
|
|
fruitpunch posted:The only pinball I remember playing as a child was a game called Pinball Dreams on the NES, no idea if this was an accurate measure of actual pinball, but I remember many sleepless nights at the ages of 7/8 playing it and trying to get better scores. Someone needs to explain the absolute basics of pinball and table design for people like me who have no idea about the game itself but enjoy high score type gaming As for the absolute basics, it's as simple as this: Keep the ball in play. Unfortunately, it really is a "practice makes perfect" skill. I'm a decent (but not spectacular) player, but I've played enough that I can find my way around a table I've never seen before -- I can pick up the feel of the flippers and usually figure out some basic goals of the table. For higher-level play, it's all about learning a specific table. Almost all modern tables have sets of goals to complete (for example, light "CATAPULT", then shoot the center ramp to activate Siege Mode Multiball, then hit the side ramps for Jackpots). There's also usually one main goal that you can progress to by completing the more basic goals. This all varies greatly by table, of course, and you'll have to spend a decent chunk of time with a given machine to be able to complete these goals. Just as a measuring stick, I played Big Race USA probably three or four hundred times, and finally got to the point where I could finish the race once or even twice every game. As for table design, I'm probably not the best person to ask. If you're just looking for "good" tables to play, any of the modern collections should work. Pinball Hall of Fame: The Williams Collection has a ton of classic tables, including some of the best non-licensed titles ever made (Black Knight and Medieval Madness, especially). Pinball FX2 contains completely fictional tables, but they're mostly solid and sometimes innovate things that wouldn't be practical on a physical machine (for example, the mad scientist's creature in Biolab). Fortunately for us, both of these games are really inexpensive. You can find the Williams collection for under $20, and Pinball FX2's four-table core pack is $10 on Xbox Live Arcade. Captain Keekles posted:I have to admit that Metorid Prime Pinball on the DS was one of my favorites previously. I thought that game was a cool adaption of Metroid Prime, the duel screens were used well for a cool layered experience, and the tables were varied and had lots to do. I just wish there had been more incentive for me to want to score more, but I didn't have any friends with the game. One example of how growing up in the post arcade era, I'm glad things like XBLA enables great score competition for certain games.
|
|
#
?
Oct 30, 2010 12:29
|
|
|
No mention of Future Pinball? I don't know if it's better than Virtual Pinball but I found it pretty good. The only downside is the creator seems to have serious ego issues and pulls poo poo like building in an expiry date and refusing to do features.
Carecat fucked around with this message at 13:23 on Oct 30, 2010 |
|
#
?
Oct 30, 2010 13:19
|
|
|
I haven't had a chance to play FX2 too much yet but I really wish they had the feature from Williams Collection that explained all the table goals and what different places on the table did. That was so helpful. Anyways GT: Dr Fishbulb Esq.
|
|
#
?
Oct 30, 2010 14:02
|
|
|
Orbitor 1 is a really neat table if it is semi dark where you are playing. You really have to look close to figure out the magic behind it. Also neat in that it has a minimum playtime that the arcade operators can't disable easily. The mechanical voice is also pretty cool along with the ending sound. Q*bert the pinball game also is pretty fun and unique due to the weird playfield and flippers.
|
|
#
?
Oct 30, 2010 15:15
|
|
|
I bought PinballFX2, so add me to your friends-list for high-score competition. I'm not good at the game, mind you, but I'm ready to practice.  My GT is Artieficial.
|
|
#
?
Oct 30, 2010 15:38
|
|
|
I remember the physical Pinbot table from Williams was loads of fun. The Jurassic Park table had a lot of character too.
|
|
#
?
Oct 30, 2010 17:17
|
|
|
What's the pinball situation like on PSP? I know it's got the Williams and Gottlieb collections - is there anything else?
|
|
#
?
Oct 30, 2010 17:25
|
|
|
PaletteSwappedNinja posted:What's the pinball situation like on PSP? I know it's got the Williams and Gottlieb collections - is there anything else? Yeah, there's Pinball Fantasies at least. It's tons of fun and still very playable even though the original Amiga / PC game is almost two decades old.
|
|
#
?
Oct 30, 2010 17:41
|
|
|
God drat the Rome table is way too busy. Especially on the bottom where it goes "red mess crazy."
|
|
#
?
Oct 30, 2010 20:04
|
|
|
|
| # ? Apr 26, 2024 14:09 |
|
|
For anyone looking for pinball tips I have a few for beginners. Please note that while most of my experience is virtual, these tips should apply to real pinball tables as well. 1) The Flippers control the lights I'm sure there is a technical term for this, but the short version is this: There are sets of lights placed all over the board, usually in groups of three to four. When your ball rolls over the sensor for one of those lights, the light lights up. The key to note here is that if you need to activate all three lights to get the multiplier going you have to shift the lights around to correspond to where your ball will be going next. In the example below the X indicates the light is off and an O indicates the light is on. Hitting the right flipper will shift the light one position to the right, and the left flipper will move it left. XOX -> XXO or XOX -> OXX This is helpful for: 2) Learn to activate the "ball save" This is probably the first thing I need to know how to do on any pinball table. The ball save is what will allow you to keep playing even after your ball has fallen out of play. Typically, this is done by activating the four lights in the lanes near the flippers at the bottom. Certain tables have other rules, for example the PFX Speed table activates the kickers the first time you light the lights and the ball save the second time. On that note: 3) Activate the ball saves when appropriate On most tables, the ball save will be activated automatically at launch, and will turn itself off after a minute or two. If you manually activate the ball save when it is already active it will not extend the time. It will still end when the original timer runs down. 4) Slow Down If you want to keep the ball in play, and get a higher score, slow things down a bit. Don't hit the flipper right away when the ball hits (or is about to hit) most of the time that will send it careening wildly and it will be harder to judge where it is going to go next. Even if you are working against a clock it is a good idea to focus your shots. 5) Learn the Tables The rules will be generally the same for most tables, but it is a good idea to get used to the layouts and see what each table has as a goal to get the jackpots. Also of note, some tables are nicer than others. Most will wipe out a multiplier when you lose a ball, but some will allow you to continue whatever progress you made previously (hit ramp 10 times out of 20) 6) Pay Attention to the lights When you activate a challenge on a table, chances are good that a specific ramp will light up with a blinking indicator. Most tables will give you a timer countdown to hit that ramp. If you hit it, see if it is still blinking. If so, hit it again, if not, look for another blinking light. That's all I got for now. I still have to beat Stealthed Zombie on two or three more tables.
|
|
#
?
Oct 30, 2010 20:21
|
|