Pinball FX2: Marvel Pinball Review

Pinball gaming never grabbed me as a kid. Despite the fact that I grew up during the '80s, where the machines were still prevalent, the allure of the latest and greatest graphics always kept me away from the more "reality-based" allure of pinball. I simply didn't get it, at least not until much later, far removed from the days where new tables were introduced constantly. That's where the folks at Zen Studios come in. With Pinball FX2, the Zen team is recreating what made those machines so addictive while adding in a digital flair and interactive elements that simply aren't possible when dealing with physical components.

Marvel Pinball is an expansion for Pinball FX2 (which is free) that introduces four new "tables" at a cost of 800 MS Points ($10). At a first glance, this might not seem like the best deal, but trust me when I say a few rounds of pinball will have you coming back for much, much more. Marvel Pinball is simply one of the most addicting experiences I've had all year, rivaling some of the best iPhone games for its simple, accessible gameplay that's quick and easy to pick up and play. With so many games requiring hours of our attention, it's great to have something that is a bit more temporary.

Each of the four tables focuses on a key Marvel franchise: Wolverine, Spider-Man, Iron Man, and Blade. No doubt Blade will stand out to many of you as the odd one out of this bunch, but after a few rounds with each pinball game, I found myself quickly gravitating toward Blade, Spider-Man, and Wolverine. Iron Man's table tries to capture the sleek, more mechanical nature of the hero, but in doing so manages to make for relatively dull gameplay.

All of the tables will no doubt have comic book fans geeking out while keeping pinball enthusiasts busy for quite some time. Several franchise villains are present on each, threatening the hero, and it's up to the players to engage those enemies with the pinball. Many of the bad guys will alter the table in some fashion – on the Spider-Man table, Mysterio will change how the bumpers react, while Hand ninjas will spring into action against Wolverine. The presence of comic book art on the actual "machines" never hurts, either. In a sense Marvel Pinball is the best mix of comic books and retro and modern gaming.


In general the four tables are very lively and engaging -- almost too much so. There were times, particularly if you manage to simultaneously engage multiple table elements, where so many things were happening that it was easy to lose track of the ball. The elegance and effectiveness of old pinball machines was that they could only do so much, and you could keep track of things. With the physical and mechanical limits out the way, the sky is the limit… but that's not always good for gameplay.

But if there's one area grounded in reality, it's the physics engine driving Pinball FX 2. Regardless of the manic happenings on the table, it's rare you'll ever feel cheated by the flippers and the ball itself. There's a certain weight to the ball that allows you to predict what will happen when you hit it, encouraging the feeling that practice will absolutely allow you to get perfect. That's probably why effects gimmicks the elimination of lighting, and the switching of flipper controls is all the more frustrating, but it's hard to get too agitated when the core concept is so perfectly executed.


Zen Studios goes the extra mile with plenty of options and multiplayer experiences for users to enjoy. You'll be able to battle your friends in split screen or compete online, though what will likely keep you coming back is a comparison chart that will show your scores relative to your friends. It's a quick and efficient way to guarantee you'll be shooting to defeat Green Goblin or Sabretooth yet again.

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