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Arguably one of, if not the best arcade game out there for the PC

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 0 / 0
Date: May 11, 2007
Author: Amazon User

I first came aware of this game when in LA trying to find work in 2002 while living with friends and came across the game when I installed an old hard drive from an old PC into his new one and that's how I became aware of it and loved it.

I liked the older games such as slick chick, knockout was a very fun game and I will agree, although it's been a few years now since I've played the full game that Humpty Dumpty is kind of confusing and not as easy a game to play due to it's design.

What I do love and others have said as well is that this game is a realistic representation of these old pinball games, down to the reflections, action of the balls, flippers, bumpers etc - and not to mention the sound of said games too. Having lived through pinball games over the years, I was thrilled to have stumbled on this game. Sadly, Microsoft seems to have stopped selling this game a few years back.

I just this morning bought a used copy via Amazon for my own enjoyment and I will agree that it would be nice to have versions for Williams and Balley as well.

While the games represented here are not necesarily the best of the best they are quite fun to play and give a decent history/overview of how these games evolved over the years begining with Baffle Ball in 1931.

Sadly, the heyday of the pinball machine is over but thanks to games like that one can keep the memories at least alive in the virtual world, if not in the real world.

Kudos to MS for coming up with this game.

Excellent execution - why only Gottlieb?

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 0 / 0
Date: October 22, 2006
Author: Amazon User

As a fan of pinball my hat is off to Microsoft for giving us such a quality pinball game that is based on tables that actually existed.

The physics are very close while the graphics and sound are spot-on (which is no small feat given the size of this ROM). Kudos on the execution Microsoft.

My only beef is that Microsoft chose to use only Gottlieb machines. Gottlieb tables have a place in pinball history but do not represent pinball at it's best. While there are only about 5 Gottlieb machines I would ever pay a quarter to play, there are at least 20 Williams or Bally machines apiece.

The early Gottlieb machines were top notch, Knock out and Slick Chick are included and rightfully so. However, Gottlieb machines migrated to a point beyond challenging in their table designs with very few exceptions. When Columbia bought Gottlieb in the late 70s, their games finally began to refocus on the player instead of the vendor. It proved to be too little too late because Bally and Williams continued to build machines that were arguably more fun.

Microsoft PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE see fit to continue this project and include some really great Bally and Williams machines from the 70s and 80s for us nostalgic folks!

Great Graphics-- Not Much Fun

3 Rating: 3, Useful: 0 / 2
Date: February 27, 2006
Author: Amazon User

This pin ball game has wonderful graphics and sounds, but it is missing an important piece: FUN! There is not much going on and not a lot to do. If you are looking for an addicting game that will entertain you for hours, this is not the game for you!

As Real as it gets.

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 8 / 8
Date: July 04, 2004
Author: Amazon User

Along with the Pro Pinball series, This may be the best pinball simulation available for the PC.

However, where the Pro Pinball series of games only contain one table, and are typically modeled after 90's era machines. None of the Pro Pinball machines ever existed.

Microsoft, however brings us 7 machines in Pinball Arcade that ACTUALLY existed.

Now for those young folks to whom "Video Modes", Ramps, and complex scoring schemes, are blase' you may find that this collection isn't for you.

However for those of us born in the 60's or earlier, or Electro-Magnetic Pinball junkies you won't find a more enjoyable collection.

The sounds and action on each of the tables is shockingly realistic. In many cases, I forget I'm not playing an actual machine.

From the 30's, Baffle ball is actually a precursor to pinball. Like the little pinball games of your childhood, the object is not to "keep" the ball in play, but by using proper force on the plunger and nudging, try to maximize your score for 10 balls.

From the 40's, Humpty Dumpty, looks more traditional, but the object still is not to keep the ball in play, but rather use the "flippers to direct the ball to higher scoring regions. This game has most of the recognizable features of pinball but again emphesis is on positioning the ball, not keeping it in play.

From the 50's Knockout is a cute machine with a neat boxing ring in the center. The object to knockdown your opponent as many times as you can. Here the flippers are in the traditional orientation, but there is a "bar" at the mammoth exit hole that gives you virtual invunerability for a time. Once a certain score is achieved for the ball, the bar drops, and your ability to keep the ball in play for an extended time is very limited.

From the 60's Pinball now has most of the components many of us recognize. Thumper Bumpers, Rollovers, roll over buttons. Slick Chick does not have any side exits, but makes up for that with a farily wide center hole, and an insidious "gobble hole" in the center of the playing field.

From the 70's, Spirit of 76 is the archtypical 70's era pinball machine. The flippers have grown to be larger and more powerful. A trio of Thumper Bumpers in the center really can accelerate the ball. 8 Knockdown targets and multiple rollovers exist. The sound effects on this table are spot on, and is easily my favorite.

From the 80's Haunted House. In reality, this table was extra wide sporting two pairs of flippers at the bottom. The table was the first to incorporate a 3 level design with an "upstairs", Main Floor, and "Basement" beneath the main table seen through clear plexiglass on the main table. It was also one of the first machines to use LED's for scoring. This game is fun, but the need to have an unobstructed view of the "basement" makes the table feel bare, as all the scoring opportunities are on the perimeter of the table

From the 90's, Cue Ball Wizard is the typical chatterbox Pinball machine with ramps, elevated ball "tubes" and very complex scoring modes, designed to force the player to aim his shots. Unlike earlier tables, it's not just keeping the ball in play, but getting through all the modes that get's the Big Points.

As this game was developed in 1998, there should be no problem getting the game to run smothly on a current machine. All these tables are rather challenging and can lead to rather short games. It's a shame that you don't have configuration menu that allows you to set number of balls per game, and replay scores, as you would be able to do owning a REAL pinball machine. However, it seems here that Microsoft here is attempting to simulate how it is to play these machines in an Arcade, even down to the point of having you insert money into the machines to play.

Real Pinball machines can cost thousands of dollars, and especially older machines, often have worn out components that are hard to find or replace.

Microsoft Pinball gives you 7 accurate pinball machines in your PC, and you never have to worry about replacing a light bulb, or Flipper relay.

Microsoft Gets One Right

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 5 / 5
Date: November 06, 2003
Author: Amazon User

I began playing pinball back in the 1960s and always liked the Gottlieb machines the best. Microsoft has done a fantastic job of simulating these games, right down to the glare off the glass and the sounds of the EM components coming to life. No detail has been overlooked. The flippers even make that electric buzzing noise if you hold down the buttons. Incredible!

Game play is smooth and realistic. There are a few quirks -- the ramp shot on Cue Ball Wizard is almost impossible with the left flipper and the machines tilt too easily, but these are minor complaints. If you don't have a lot of space, this game is a perfect way to have a bunch of pinball machines in your basement.

My only complaint is that the CD has such a limited number of games. With the exception of Knock Out, the early designs are interesting from a historical perspective, but not that much fun to play repeatedly. I'd like to see a "Best of Gottlieb" CD with about fifty more games from the Golden Era of pinball.

I'd also like to see the same quality applied to some of the old games produced by Chicago Coin, Bally, and Williams. A lot of the old pinball games are disappearing and it would be nice to see them preserved for posterity. New generations should get the chance to play games like El Dorado and 8-Ball Deluxe!

And why stop there?

I'd love to see Microsoft recreate some of the golden oldies with the same attention to detail. Games like Jet Rocket, S.A.M.I., Stunt Pilot, or Bally's old soccer game would be a blast.

But with that said, hats off to Microsoft for putting out a top notch CD.

More!

Microsoft Pinball Arcade

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 2 / 2
Date: September 19, 2003
Author: Amazon User

To love this game, your giving up your age. So be it! A fun
trip down memory lane. If you loved the older, slower e.m.
games this is a must have. Great fun. Thanks Bill

The Ultimate Pinball Game!

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 5 / 5
Date: March 16, 2003
Author: Amazon User

Let's see... A real pinball table cost anywhere from [$$$$] to [$$$$]. So, I would say that you are getting your moneys worth with Microsoft Pinball Arcade wich has seven classic Gottlieb pinball machines.

I have had this game for over a year now, and my family and I play it several times a week. I can honestly say that this game offers the best artwork, realistic sounds effects, ramps, multiball and traps of any other pinball game out on the market. There is a high score section for each of the seven tables, you can costomize your keyboard, joystick and game pad controls, and you can also control the volume of the background theme music or the tables sound effects.

No, they are not real pinball machines... But Microsoft got as close as they could to the real thing. A must buy for anyone who enjoys pinball and wants a more realistic feel.

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..........

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. :(

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.

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