Pinball Games Quadruple Header

A while back I posted a Pinball Games Roundup, but since then a few more pinball games have come to my attention. I'll be playing them in chronological order of release;

Game: Pinball Wizard
Console: Amstrad CPC 464
Developer: Sagittarian Software
Release Date: 1985

Pinball video games released in the 8-bit home computer era are never going to be perfect; even NES pinball isn't all that, since it was particularly hard for programmers of the time to code a smooth running pinball table with a good amount of interactive features and ways to score points with the amount of tape/cartridge space available.

Pinball Wizard seemingly chose to have smooth running gameplay over an abundance of feature on the table. The only real point of interest are the Hi/Lo switchers, which change the amount of points awarded for hitting bumpers on either side of the table. The letters at the top which spell Sagittarian give a bonus when they're all illuminated, and other than that the idea is to keep the ball in play for long enough to score points. The user manual says "With practice, scores over 20,000 can easily be achieved!". Which is fair enough, though scoring 1,000 points is hard enough and takes only a minute or so to do.

Graphically the game's choice of colours was limited by the CPC, but still is difficult to look at for too long. The table itself is pretty bare and reminded me of NES Pinball. Sound effects are lacking and there's no real excitement to gameplay. The only real redeeming feature is that the ball speed can be adjusted and the game runs smoothly no matter which speed is selected. It's not enough to make it particularly notable, or enjoyable though.

Rating: 37/100
Grade; E

Game: Dragon's Fury
Console: Sega Mega Drive
Developer: Technosoft
Release Date: 1992

Listen to the game's OST as you read! (it's pretty awesome)

Originally released for the Turbografx 16 as Devil's Crush, Dragon's Fury features pentagrams and other eerie occult themes throughout its main table's three sections, its six bonus tables and the final battle. Gameplay is fast paced and there's lots to do on each section of the table. The overall objective is for players to clear all of the bonus tables in order to face the final battle and beat the game. To reach bonus tables players must clear objectives on the main table, such as transforming the face in the middle from a maiden to a serpent and hitting the ball into the serpent's mouth.

The difficulty level of the game is medium on the main table as its pretty easy to reach bonus tables and have a fulfilling turn, but the difficulty of bonus levels and the final boss are far higher, almost as if they were specifically designed to cut short any attempt to beat the bonus stages. Once all 3 balls have been lost by the player, a final chance is given for an extra ball if players can match the last digits of their score with a bonus counter. This is a nice feature and adds an extra chance around 50% of the time (if players are skilled at stopping the bonus counter).

Graphically the game features dark and eerie colours throughout its levels, with some brighter visuals in its bonus levels. There's a lot of occult iconography and monsters on the main table, with an array of different characters making up the bonus level bosses. Musically the game is great and the scene is definitely set by the fast paced horror/classical influenced soundtrack. The sound effects are minimal and take second place to the music in the mix, which allows players to enjoy the soundtrack.

Overall Dragon's Fury is a lot of fun as a pinball game on the Mega Drive, if a little frustrating to actually progress in. The table is particularly interesting and its bonus tables are fun, if a little small compared to the main table. The theme of the game is probably its main draw, but it works well as a pinball game and has something to offer both casual and more serious players.

Rating: 73/100
Grade: C

Game: Crüe Ball
Console: Sega Mega Drive
Developer: Electronic Arts
Release Date: 1992

Listen to the game's OST as you read!

The band Motley Crüe and pinball don't seem like the most natural combination, but somehow EA were inspired to make a pinball game based off the band. Players work their way through 9 "volume levels" which change the layout of the table, and relative difficulty. The game features many themed elements such as knocking down the words Rock and Roll, or Headbanger for bonus points, and in later levels there are guitar amps which can be knocked down also.

The game features three songs by Motley Crüe, as well as music for each of the 9 volume levels. with the soundtrack composed by Brian L. Schmidt who wrote music for Mutant League Football as well as a few other Mega Drive games. The gameplay is fast paced and particularly easy on the first volume level, allowing players to get acquainted with the feel of the game. In some levels, the ball bounces back up into play if it falls down the edge of the table, unlike many other pinball games. Another interesting feature is the choice to use 4 balls instead of the usual 3. 

Graphically the game is bright and interesting, featuring an electronic theme alongside the musical one. The table has plenty to do, as it's split up into 3 sections, and the middle section changes with each volume increase. Progression to higher volume levels is fairly easy and the game only gets harder from around volume level 5. Musically the game features many high energy tracks to accompany gameplay, and this works well to deliver an exciting experience for gamers.

Overall Crüe Ball offers a fun and engaging pinball experience, even for those who aren't particularly skilled at pinball games. The band's endorsement could be a selling point for fans, but the gameplay is a far bigger aspect for me. There's some fun bonus levels to be accessed and the controls are particularly responsive. 

Rating: 80/100
Grade: B

Game: Pokémon Pinball: Ruby & Sapphire

Console: Nintendo Game Boy Advance

Developer: Jupiter Coporation

Release Date: 26th August 2003

The second game in the Pokémon Pinball series, the Ruby and Sapphire edition adds many Pokémon from the 2nd and 3rd generation to bring the overall total up to 201 catchable Pokémon. The concept and many features of the table are much the same as the first game, but with better graphics, overall gameplay and pinball physics, this game is an improvement in almost every sense. Players choose from the Ruby table or the Sapphire table at the beginning of the game, and normal or slow ball speed. The main objective of tables is to catch Pokémon by initiating one of the many catching bumpers on the table. An example of these would be hitting a Cyndaquil 4 times until an egg falls down from above and hatches, or getting your Pokéball inside a Wailmer.  

On both tables there's a mart at which to buy items, and bonus games which earn players points and coins once completed. Players can catch up to a maximum of 3 Pokémon in any one area (displayed at the centre of the table) before needing to hit the travel bumper 3 times and launch the Pokéball into the travel hole to move onto a new area and begin catching more Pokémon. The aim of the game overall is to fill the Pokédex and own one of each Pokémon in the game. 

Graphically the game features bright and cartoon style graphics as we've come to expect from the Pokémon franchise. The animations and movement of sprites and the Pokéball itself are on par with the rest of the Pokémon series, and unlike the first game, the ball physics are a lot more predictable. The music featured in the game fits well with the rest of the Pokémon series, and is a good accompaniment to gameplay.

Overall Pokémon Pinball: Ruby & Sapphire is an improvement on almost every aspect of the original game, and has far more replayability thanks to this. The tables have an array of features and things to do, and for any Pokémon fan, there should be more than enough excitement.

Rating: 80/100
Grade: B