The Pinball Arcade
| The Pinball Arcade | |
|---|---|
| File:The Pinball Arcade logo.jpg | |
| Developer(s) | FarSight Studios |
| Publisher(s) | FarSight Studios |
| Platform(s) | Android, iOS, Macintosh, PlayStation 3, PlayStation Vita, PlayStation 4, Xbox 360, Microsoft Windows, Kindle Fire, Ouya, Wii U, Nintendo 3DS |
| Release | iOS (iPhone/iPod Touch/iPad) Android OS Xbox 360 (Xbox Live Arcade) PlayStation 3/PlayStation Vita (PlayStation Network) Mac OS X Kindle Fire Ouya Wii U PlayStation 4 (PlayStation Network) Nintendo 3DS (Pinball Hall of Fame) Windows (Steam) |
| Genre(s) | Pinball |
| Mode(s) | Single-player, Multiplayer |
The Pinball Arcade is a pinball video game developed by FarSight Studios. The game is a simulated collection of real pinball tables licensed by Gottlieb, Williams, Bally, and Stern Pinball. Four tables were available initially with the game's launch: Black Hole, Ripley's Believe It or Not!, Tales of the Arabian Nights, and Theatre of Magic.[1] Additional tables have been and will be published as downloadable content (DLC) each and every month.
It is available for download on a number of devices through their respective online stores, such as those using the Android operating system (including derivats e.g. Kindle Fire or Ouya) and for iOS devices, Mac OS X computers, PlayStation 3, PlayStation Vita and Xbox 360. Versions have been proposed for Windows-based computers, Nintendo 3DS, Nintendo Wii U, and the upcoming PlayStation 4.
Announced versions
Windows
FarSight Studios was taking part in the Steam Greenlight program to distribute The Pinball Arcade for Windows-based personal computers.[2] As of April 18, 2013, The Pinball Arcade has been successfully Greenlit on Steam.[3] In August 2013, the PC version of The Pinball Arcade was in beta-testing with a planned release on Steam in September 2013.[4]
Nintendo 3DS
The Nintendo 3DS version will be called Pinball Hall of Fame and will only feature non-emulated newly-scripted electro-mechanical tables and tables using early alphanumeric and numeric displays from Williams and Gottlieb such as Big Shot, Black Hole, Black Knight, Central Park, Firepower, Genie, Space Shuttle, Pin*Bot, Gorgar, Goin' Nuts, and other future non-emulated tables.[5]
Wii U
A version for Nintendo's Wii U console is currently in development; initially planned for release "as close to [November 18] as we can",[6] the version was not submitted to Nintendo until December 2012.[7] Final submission was confirmed in late July 2013 and it was announced in June that it would release in September 2013. On August 27, 2013 FarSight Studios commented on their Facebook page that they were still working on the Wii U version and therefore it wasn't submitted to Nintendo yet.[8]
Xbox 360
Crave Entertainment, the publisher for the Xbox 360 version of The Pinball Arcade, filed for bankruptcy in 2012, and FarSight Studios has been unable to ship new tables for the Xbox 360 since then as they fight in court for the return of the publishing rights.[3] Microsoft terminated Crave's publishing license after the company emerged from bankruptcy, forcing The Pinball Arcade to be removed from the Xbox Live Marketplace.[4] In July 2013, Microsoft announced a revision to its publishing policy for independent developers, which will allow FarSight Studios to self-publish the game on the Xbox Live Marketplace.[4] FarSight plans on re-releasing the front-end software and all table packs as soon as the new policy takes effect..[4]
Xbox One
FarSight Studios is currently waiting to see if Microsoft relaxes the policy on only allowing retail publishers to publish digital games on Xbox One before they make a decision on whether to support the Xbox One. There were delays and complications they had on the Xbox 360 even before the 360 publisher filed for bankruptcy caused by the need of having a middle-man.[3] After Microsoft announced its policy change regarding independent developers, FarSight Studios has expressed interest in developing The Pinball Arcade for Xbox One.[4]
PlayStation 4
The Pinball Arcade is announced to be a launch title for PlayStation 4 to be released on November 15, 2013.[9]
Tables
Table packs 1 through 10 been released in the season one table pack and pro pack in May 2013 allowing players to buy all tables at once. FarSight Studios also released the season two pro pack and season two pack that ranges add-on packs 11 through 20 allowing players who purchase the pack pre-purchase upcoming tables before they release. Although tables are not necessarily released to all platforms and/or regions simultaneously, there are currently 37 tables.
Pro Menus
In late October 2012, FarSight Studios began to release "Pro Menu" upgrades for previously released tables. The upgrade lets the player control the camera to look around the table, control the ball, learn tips from pro players, and view the coin door menu. For Scared Stiff, it also grants the ability to turn off family mode with an uncensored voice-over.
Table key
 |
Table has been published for this platform |
 |
Table has not been published for this platform |
| Pro Menu upgrade has been published for this platform |
Published
| Table | Table Type | Manufacturer | Year | Season | Released | iOS | AND | PSN US | PSN EU | Mac | XBL |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Black Hole | Numeric Display | Gottlieb | 1981 | Season 1 | Included |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Ripley's Believe It or Not! | Dot Matrix Display | Stern | 2004 | Season 1 | Included |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Tales of the Arabian Nights | Dot Matrix Display | Williams | 1996 | Season 1 | Included | P
|
P
|
P
|
P
|
P
|
|
| Theatre of Magic | Dot Matrix Display | Bally | 1995 | Season 1 | Included |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| The Machine: Bride of Pin*Bot | Alphanumeric Display | Williams | 1991 | Season 1 | Add-On 1 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Medieval Madness | Dot Matrix Display | Williams | 1997 | Season 1 | Add-On 1 | P
|
P
|
P
|
P
|
P
|
|
| Cirqus Voltaire | Dot Matrix Display | Bally | 1997 | Season 1 | Add-On 2 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| FunHouse | Alphanumeric Display | Williams | 1990 | Season 1 | Add-On 2 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Gorgar | Numeric Display | Williams | 1979 | Season 1 | Add-On 3 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Monster Bash | Dot Matrix Display | Williams | 1998 | Season 1 | Add-On 3 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Black Knight | Numeric Display | Williams | 1980 | Season 1 | Add-On 4 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Creature from the Black Lagoon | Dot Matrix Display | Bally | 1992 | Season 1 | Add-On 4 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Harley-Davidson, 3rd Edition | Dot Matrix Display | Stern(Originally Sega) | 2004 (1999) | Season 1 | Add-On 5 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Taxi | Alphanumeric Display | Williams | 1988 | Season 1 | Add-On 5 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Elvira and the Party Monsters | Alphanumeric Display | Bally | 1989 | Season 1 | Add-On 6 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| No Good Gofers | Dot Matrix Display | Williams | 1997 | Season 1 | Add-On 6 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Scared Stiff | Dot Matrix Display | Bally | 1996 | Season 1 | Add-On 7 | P
|
P
|
P
|
P
|
P
|
|
| Big Shot | Electro-Mechanical Display | Gottlieb | 1973 | Season 1 | Add-On 7 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Twilight Zone | Dot Matrix Display | Bally | 1993 | Season 1 | Premium Table Add-On 1/Add-on 8 | P
|
P
|
P
|
P
|
P
|
|
| Star Trek: The Next Generation | Dot Matrix Display | Williams | 1993 | Season 1 | Premium Table Add-On 2/Add-on 9 | P
|
P
|
P
|
P
|
P
|
|
| Attack from Mars | Dot Matrix Display | Bally | 1995 | Season 1 | Add-On 10 | P
|
P
|
P
|
P
|
P
|
|
| Genie | Numeric Display | Gottlieb | 1979 | Season 1 | Add-On 10 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Dr. Dude & HIs Excellent Ray | Alphanumeric Display | Bally | 1990 | Season 2 | Add-On 11 | P
|
P
|
P
|
P
|
P
|
|
| Firepower | Numeric Display | Williams | 1980 | Season 2 | Add-On 11 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Cactus Canyon | Dot Matrix Display | Bally | 1998 | Season 2 | Add-On 12 | P
|
P
|
P
|
P
|
P
|
|
| Central Park | Electro-Mechanical Display | Gottlieb | 1966 | Season 2 | Add-On 12 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Space Shuttle | Numeric Display | Williams | 1984 | Season 2 | Add-On 13 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| White Water | Dot Matrix Display | Williams | 1992 | Season 2 | Add-On 13 | P
|
P
|
P
|
P
|
P
|
|
| Centaur | Numeric Display | Bally | 1981 | Season 2 | Add-On 14 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Pin*Bot | Alphanumeric Display | Williams | 1986 | Season 2 | Add-On 14 | P
|
P
|
P
|
P
|
P
|
|
| The Champion Pub | Dot Matrix Display | Bally | 1998 | Season 2 | Add-On 15 | P
|
P
|
P
|
P
|
P
|
|
| Whirlwind | Alphanumeric Display | Williams | 1990 | Season 2 | Add-On 15 | P
|
P
|
P
|
P
|
P
|
|
| Flight 2000 | Numeric Display | Stern | 1980 | Season 2 | Add-On 16 | P
|
P
|
P
|
P
|
P
|
|
| Goin' Nuts | Numeric Display | Gottlieb | 1983 | Season 2 | Add-On 16 | P
|
P
|
P
|
P
|
P
|
|
| Terminator 2: Judgement Day | Dot Matrix Display | Williams | 1991 | Season 2 | Premium Table Add-On 3/Add-On 17 | P
|
P
|
|
|
P
|
|
| Tee'd Off | Dot Matrix Display | Gottlieb | 1993 | Season 2 | Add-On Pack 18 | P
|
P
|
|
|
P
|
|
| Haunted House | Numeric Display | Gottlieb | 1982 | Season 2 | Add-On Pack 18 | P
|
P
|
|
|
P
|
|
Planned
FarSight Studios confirmed plans to digitize and release the following 5 tables:
| Table | Table Type | Manufacturer | Year | Season | Availability | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Addams Family | Dot Matrix Display | Bally | 1992 | TBA | TBA | Confirmed to be funded via Kickstarter after the Terminator 2: Judgement day Kickstarter in the near future. |
| Eight Ball Deluxe | Numeric Display | Bally | 1981 | TBA | TBA | Confirmed by Bobby King in Allgames.com podcast. |
| Victory | Alphanumeric Display | Gottlieb | 1987 | TBA | TBA | Mentioned as a possible table in the app description. |
| Ace High | Electro-Mechanical Display | Gottlieb | 1957 | TBA | TBA | Announced In The Pinball Arcade Steam Community |
| Sorcerer | Numeric Display | Williams | 1985 | TBA | TBA | Announced By The Pinball Arcade On Facebook To A Certain User. |
Kickstarter
FarSight Studios launched a Kickstarter project in order to cover the cost to acquire the necessary licenses to publish Bally/Midway's Twilight Zone table.[10] FarSight Studios pledged to also digitize Williams' Star Trek: The Next Generation table if the Twilight Zone project reached double its $55,000 goal ($110,000).[11] Funding of the Twilight Zone was successful. A total of $77,499 was raised to fund licensing for Twilight Zone. FarSight Studios President Jay Obernolte signed the license agreement for Twilight Zone on June 8, 2012. Surplus funds, after deductions from unfulfilled pledges and processing fees, were applied to a new Kickstarter project for Star Trek: The Next Generation that was launched August 17, 2012.[12] This project was also successfully funded.[13]
On June 21, 2013, FarSight Studios issued a Kickstarter to digitize Terminator 2: Judgement Day. As of July 21, 2013 it successfully surpassed the $59,000 goal with $62,360.[3]
Reception
The Pinball Arcade was well received by critics. It currently averages 84.83% for Xbox 360,[14] 81.67% for PS3[15] and 80,00% for PlayStation Vita[16] at GameRankings and 82/100 for Xbox360,[17] 79/100 for PlayStation Vita[18] and 82/100 for iOS[19] at Metacritic.
Awards
The Pinball Arcade won best mobile game of 2012 in X-Play's Best of 2012 Awards and was also nominated for best remake/retro release in 2012.
Arcade Sushi placed The Pinball Arcade at number 1 on their 10 Best Retro iOS Arcade Games list, their 5 Best iOS Pinball Games list, placed it at number 2 on their 20 Best iOS Games of 2012 list, placed it at number 4 on their 25 Best Games of 2012 list, and placed it at number 9 on their 100 Best iOS Games list.
The PC World website listed The Pinball Arcade at number 100 on their top 100 best products of 2012.
The Diehard Gamefan website awarded The Pinball Arcade the Best All-Ages Game and Best Digital/Downloadable game of 2012.
History
The Pinball Arcade was previously published by Crave Entertainment for Xbox Live, which earlier published Pinball Hall of Fame: The Gottlieb Collection and Pinball Hall of Fame: The Williams Collection that was also developed by FarSight Studios.[20]
See also
References
- ^ Nelson, Jared. "Video of Upcoming 'Pinball Arcade' Running on iPad 2." Touch Arcade. 12 January 2012. Retrieved on 18 June 2012.
- ^ http://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=95907686
- ^ a b c d FarSight Studios (June 21, 2013). "Pinball Arcade: Terminator 2 Judgement Day by Farsight Studios". Kickstarter.com. Retrieved July 18, 2013.
- ^ a b c d e "Pinball Arcade Newsletter #17". July 26, 2013.
- ^ http://pinballarcadefans.com/content.php/260-Variant-Of-The-Pinball-Arcade-Known-As-PINBALL-HALL-OF-FAME-To-Be-Released-On-NINTENDO-3DS-In-2013!
- ^ Ryan, Mike. "The Pinball Arcade: An Interview With Community Manager Rob Mann" Warp Zoned. 5 November 2012. Retrieved on 14 November 2012.
- ^ "Pinball Arcade Newsletter #10 EXTRA Edition". December 28, 2012.
- ^ https://www.facebook.com/pinballarcade/posts/615890225098708?comment_id=6760843
- ^ http://www.pinballarcade.com/News/
- ^ "Pinball Arcade: The Twilight Zone by Farsight Studios." Kickstarter. Retrieved on 18 June 2012.
- ^ "Pinball Arcade: The Twilight Zone by FarSight Studios: Update #5: Stretch goal for Kickstarter- Star Trek: The Next Generation!." Kickstarter. Retrieved on 18 June 2012.
- ^ Farsight Studios (17 August 2012). "Pinball Arcade: Star Trek The Next Generation". Kickstarter.com. Retrieved 18 August 2012.
- ^ Farsight Studios (7 September 2012). "Pinball Arcade: Star Trek The Next Generation". Kickstarter.com. Retrieved 8 September 2012.
- ^ "The Pinball Arcade for Xbox 360 - GameRankings". GameRankings. Retrieved August 29, 2013.
- ^ "The Pinball Arcade for PlayStation 3 - GameRankings". GameRankings. Retrieved August 29, 2013.
- ^ "The Pinball Arcade for PlayStation Vita - GameRankings". GameRankings. Retrieved August 29, 2013.
- ^ "The Pinball Arcade for Xbox 360 Reviews - Metacritic". Metacritic. Retrieved August 29, 2013.
- ^ "The Pinball Arcade for PlayStation Vita Reviews - Metacritic". Metacritic. Retrieved August 29, 2013.
- ^ "Pinball Arcade for iPhone/iPad Reviews - Metacritic". Metacritic. Retrieved August 29, 2013.
- ^ Matrarch. ""Pinball Arcade Developer Diary Released." TrueAchievements. 27 December 2011. Retrieved on 18 June 2012.