When I was a kid, I loved pinball games. Of course we didn't have video games back then and we certainly didn't have all the lights, sounds or videos like the newer pinball games have.

If you don't have the desire to have a very large noisy machine in your home and all the maintenance that goes along with it, you can pick up this game for around $19 and have the next best thing to actually standing over a nostalgic behemoth. Anyone old enough to have played the old fashioned pinball machines will love this trip down memory lane.

The game revolves around an arcade filled with all types of video games but only the pinball machines are playable. Once you enter, you have free will to choose any of the eight tables in the two-level 1980s arcade.


The Tables:

Jive Time (1970)
Gorgar (1979)
Firepower (1980)
Black Knight (1980)
Sorcerer (1980)
Space Shuttle (1984)
Pinbot (1986)
Taxi (1988)
Whirlwind (1990)
Funhouse (1990)


What I Like:

Three modes of play:

Challenge: Players shoot for a "target score" on all the tables.

Practice Arcade: Normal mode of playing freestyle in an arcade - tokens are added or subtracted depending on scores or matching points.

Tournaments: Play all ten tables and the average score determines the winner or high score.

If a player reaches all of the "goals" to a certain table, he or she can unlock one table's "free play" mode.


The option to play any one of ten pinball machines to switch things up a bit.

I like that I can change the camera angles, but it's tough to switch around when a ball is in play.


What I'm on the Fence About:

Unless you really like having the high scores on a few machines or competing with others, this game loses its lustre in one or two sessions.

I remember playing one of the tables - Funhouse. I don't think I played any of the other nine tables back in the day. I can remember losing many a quarter to tables like "Spanish Eyes" and "Playboy" though.

Just like some of the real tables, it's tough to understand some of the vocals in some of the games.

When you start this game, only four of the ten tables are playable. After you earn enough tokens, the other six will be available.

What I Don't Like:

The first thing that annoys me is how often I lose a ball down the center or sides. I mean it happens a lot! There are left and right "nudge" buttons, but it doesn't help much. My step daughter abused this feature and did actually get a "tilt" penalty. The table goes dead and you lose that turn.

Another thing is that on old machines, they had FIVE balls per play - not three like in newer pinball machines or this video game.

A couple of the tables are from the really early days of 1970s pinball machines, so they're really sparse and a bit boring. They're so sparse, that they give off a 1950s or 1960s feel. A few tables have REALLY slow flipper response times (see below).


Wii Movement: There is no real body movement with this game other than your hands, fingers or the "nudge" feature which is slightly shaking the nunchuck or Wii-mote. You hold the "Wii-mote" in your right hand and the "Nunchuk" in your left. These serve as the controls for the right and left flippers as well as the ball strike and bonus point match button. I find the flipper reaction time on some tables to be slower than others. Whether (or not) that was a trait of the actual table, I just find it infuriating to anticipate the flipper action instead of just reacting to the ball. It should be tighter and more responsive.


Graphics:

While the graphics are decent, it does tend to "blur" slightly during high speed play and during multi-ball situations.


In the end, I can only recommend this game to die-hard pinball fans or adults old enough to remember them. I don't think this game will stay in the minds of kids or teens. Based on this, I can just barely recommend this 3.5 star game.

It's rated 'E' for everyone but it's recommended that children be at least ten years old.

Please check out my other Wii-related reviews:

Nintendo Wii Console System

GAMES:

Wii Fit

Super Mario Galaxy

Wii Sports

The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess

Jeep Thrills

Showtime Championshop Boxing

Wii Sports Resort

Game Party


ACCESSORIES:

Nintendo Wii-Mote

Nintendo Nunchuk Controller

Racing Wheel for Wii

Generic Wii Fit Balance Board Rechargeable Battery Pack

Silicone Cover for Wii Balance Board


Recommended: Yes