User Reviews (21 - 31 of 35)

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Realistic pinbal for your computer

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 2 / 3
Date: October 12, 2000
Author: Amazon User

I love pinball, anytime, anywhere, anyhow. This may not be the best, but it is a high quality, realistic and most important fun to play. With seven different tables it's hard to get bored. For the price you can't beat it.

Annoying, with potential

2 Rating: 2, Useful: 2 / 4
Date: March 23, 2001
Author: Amazon User

I didn't find the older games interesting. However, Haunted House and Cueball wizard are entertaining and have potential.

Problems:

In Haunted House, the need to switch keys to control the flippers in the extra levels seems an unnecessary complication. Plus, the left flipper in the upper level is not very useful. Seems more a matter of luck than skill to get the ball over to the right side of the level.

In Cueball Wizard, the programmers seem to have tried to program the flipper physics to include a sticky elastomer on the flippers, rather than the more common hard rubber (if I'm reading the tips correctly). In any case, the ball does not seem to behave consistently off the flippers - I've had the ball, when trying to trap it, actually stick to the tip of the flipper, and not roll down. Of course, when you let go, Newton takes over again, and the ball falls down the hole, untouchable. And, since the launcher force increases as long as you hold the key down, and the ball will be released from the launcher automatically at maximum force, timing the skill shot is darned near impossible. You should be able to hold at some level of force and release at will.

And, yes, there are motion halts...which always, in this pinball as well as others, always stop the controls, while leaving the ball free to escape at will (as it were). Another general pinball game gripe is impossibly fast ball acceleration, at times. I admit, just getting the physics of these things must be a daunting task.

Keep trying, you have some potential here.

RB

Boring pinball game

1 Rating: 1, Useful: 2 / 4
Date: May 16, 2001
Author: Amazon User

I am really surprised how boring this game is. The older pinball games are extremely boring. I played it once and it hasn't been played since. No one in my family liked this game and I would urge caution before buying this game. If you are looking for an exciting edge of your seat pinball game, I wouldn't recommend this one. I only wish I hadn't wasted my money, and that I could return it. Thank you.

Very enjoyable pinball game

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 2 / 4
Date: May 26, 2001
Author: Amazon User

Although not all enjoy this game, I do. I'm not a pinball enthusiast, but this game is still fun. There could be more tables, but the ones included have great variety. Some are easier than others. Graphics and sound are good. Another good feature is that you can install the whole program (only 100 MB) and never have to use the CD - therefore it's really good for laptops. No errors yet either, the program has performed flawlessly. A good program at a good price here made by a well-known company, Microsoft.

Save Your Money

1 Rating: 1, Useful: 3 / 10
Date: November 12, 2001
Author: Amazon User

Honestly, the only real interesting game on it is "Haunted House", but it's hard to really enjoy it because the field of view is SO LOW! Also, the Ball is VERY Bouncy, making shooting VERY Difficult. It's really a shame because the game had So Much Potential... if only Microsoft had done it right, but they blew it. :(

Very disappointing

1 Rating: 1, Useful: 2 / 7
Date: December 25, 2000
Author: Amazon User

I am very disappointed in this pinball collection. The games have a very 'clunky', awkward feel to them and are totally lacking in excitement. There appears to be very little need for any amount of skill on the players part. The "Space Cadet" pinball found on almost all new Hewlett Packard PC's beats this game easily. Why is it so hard to find a decent PC Pinball game?

FANTASTIC

1 Rating: 1, Useful: 1 / 2
Date: March 29, 2002
Author: Amazon User

This is by far one of if not the best pinball games out there. I know. I wasted plenty of money on many others......Fantastic, Real Tables from yesteryear. When you play some of the olds ones......like knockout and slick chick....they can seem rather difficult and not much to hit. But if you learn how to use your nudge buttons they can be FANTASTIC. And you can set the nudge buttons for CAPS LOCK AND ENTER which make them much easier to use. Def have to use nudge on KNOCKOUT, because to big a gap at bottom. But its a challenge to keep it in play.....after the bar goes down at the bottom learn to try to put the ball in the side holes with your flippers...The ball doesnt move too fast or slow...maybe a little on the slower side but remember this game is and oldie. You can make some shots and control it which you need with this type of table.......Slick chick is great also with lots of targets and plenty of bumpers....I grew up playing the 70's and 80's tables, but i think these are terrific if you put some effort and use your nudge buttons........CUE BALL WIZARD....Love the sound track. They may overdue the saying " Get the ball up the ramp" but still think it is dynamite. I found as i went along to do more bank shots to the back and you score extra balls and games. Also love it when it says " Hurry get the 9-ball" for half a billion.......Microsoft has done a great job....great tables views as if you were standing at the table, unlike most CD PINBALL GAMES I'VE SEEN. Well worth the money.....I would have paid a 100 dollars for it if i had too. I'm just hoping they eventually put out some more......Microsoft are you listening....LOL. BUY IT. If you like PINBALL YOU WILL LOVE IT..........

Boring

1 Rating: 1, Useful: 2 / 10
Date: October 21, 2001
Author: Amazon User

Boring! Not worth the price of the CD it is on. Only a nostalgic pin-ball junkie might appreciate this.

So real it's scary!

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 1 / 3
Date: April 11, 2001
Author: Amazon User

I have been playing real pinball machines for 40 years, and leave it to the geniuses as Microsoft to replicate this effort. I have actually spent many a Friday night at the local tavern back in the 70's playing the spirit of 76 game, and sometimes I keep forgetting that I am actually on the computer. The sights, sounds, feel, graphics, it's all there.

I also have the 3-d Ultra Thrillride, which in case you didn't know is modeled after Hershey Park in Hershey, Pa. about 10 miles east of where I live. That, too is excellent, yet different.

The funny thing is my wife can clean up on the thrill ride machine but she thinks that the MS machines suck. I'm not the best pinball player in the world, and I do agree these are tough.

I'll give it stars, but be advised, it tends to load slow between tables. All in All great fun.

Microsoft Pinball Arcade

3 Rating: 3, Useful: 1 / 5
Date: June 07, 2001
Author: Amazon User

I received this software not too long ago, and I must say that from Microsoft's point of view, this is one of their shunned products. My love for pinball games had given me reason to take a look at Microsoft's Pinball Arcade, but it was for the wrong reason.

After getting the program on my computer, I eagerly tried it out with literal disappointment. Slow frame rates, less-than-expected visual graphics, and set schemes in the pinball really didn't appeal to me very much (although I must say the their haunted house did give me reason to like it).

Before getting this, give second thought to other pinball games before coming to this one, but if you enjoyed the 1950s version of "Knock Out," go right on ahead.

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