The Pinball Arcade
The Pinball Arcade | |
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File:The Pinball Arcade logo.jpg | |
Developer(s) | FarSight Studios |
Publisher(s) | FarSight Studios |
Platform(s) | Android, iOS, OS X, PlayStation 3, PlayStation Vita, Xbox 360, Microsoft Windows, Kindle Fire, Ouya, PlayStation 4 |
Release | iOS (iPhone/iPod Touch/iPad) Android OS Xbox 360 (Xbox Live Arcade) PlayStation 3/PlayStation Vita (PlayStation Network) OS X (Mac App Store) (Steam) Kindle Fire Ouya Windows (Steam) PlayStation 4 (Retail) (PlayStation Network) Wii U Nintendo 3DS (Pinball Hall of Fame) |
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 derivatives e.g. Kindle Fire or Ouya) and for iOS devices, Windows (through Steam) and OS X computers, Xbox 360, PlayStation Vita, PlayStation 3 and PlayStation 4. Versions have been proposed for Nintendo 3DS and Nintendo Wii U.
Development
The Pinball Arcade is being developed by FarSight Studios, which also developed Pinball Hall of Fame: The Gottlieb Collection and Pinball Hall of Fame: The Williams Collection that were published by Crave Entertainment.[2]
FarSight Studios was taking part in the Steam Greenlight program to distribute The Pinball Arcade for Windows-based personal computers.[3] The game was successfully Greenlit on April 18, 2013.[4] From August until October 2013, the PC version of The Pinball Arcade was in beta-testing. The Windows version of Pinball Arcade was released on November 4, 2013, along with the first 19 table packs. A Macintosh version of the Steam release was released on December 16, 2013.
The Pinball Arcade was released in retail format for PlayStation 4 on December 10, 2013 on Amazon.com, and will be released for PlayStation 4 on the PlayStation Network for North America on December 17, 2013 and for Europe on December 18, 2013.
Announced versions
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, Haunted House, El' Dorado: City Of Gold, 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
The Pinball Arcade was previously published by Crave Entertainment for Xbox 360 on Xbox Live. Crave Entertainment 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.[4] Microsoft terminated Crave's publishing license after the company emerged from bankruptcy, forcing The Pinball Arcade to be removed from the Xbox Live Marketplace.[9] FarSight Studios is awaiting legal resolution between Microsoft and Crave, hoping to be able to update the Xbox 360 version in late 2013.[10] On November 30, 2013 FarSight Studios commented on their Facebook page that they had no viable solution for the Xbox 360 in the near future. [11]
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.[12] 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).[13] 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.[14] This project was also successfully funded.[15]
On June 21, 2013, FarSight Studios issued a Kickstarter to digitize Terminator 2: Judgment Day. As of July 21, 2013 it successfully surpassed the $59,000 goal with $62,360.[4]
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 41 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 and use the operator's 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 | Table Pack | iOS | AND | PC | PSN US | PSN EU | Mac | XBL |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Black Hole | Numeric Display | Gottlieb | 1981 | 1 | Core | |||||||
Ripley's Believe It or Not! | Dot Matrix Display | Stern | 2004 | 1 | Core | |||||||
Tales of the Arabian Nights | Dot Matrix Display | Williams | 1996 | 1 | Core | P | P | P | P | P | P | |
Theatre of Magic | Dot Matrix Display | Bally | 1995 | 1 | Core | |||||||
The Machine: Bride of Pin*Bot | Alphanumeric Display | Williams | 1991 | 1 | 1 | |||||||
Medieval Madness | Dot Matrix Display | Williams | 1997 | 1 | 1 | P | P | P | P | P | P | |
Cirqus Voltaire | Dot Matrix Display | Bally | 1997 | 1 | 2 | |||||||
FunHouse | Alphanumeric Display | Williams | 1990 | 1 | 2 | |||||||
Gorgar | Numeric Display | Williams | 1979 | 1 | 3 | |||||||
Monster Bash | Dot Matrix Display | Williams | 1998 | 1 | 3 | |||||||
Black Knight | Numeric Display | Williams | 1980 | 1 | 4 | |||||||
Creature from the Black Lagoon | Dot Matrix Display | Bally | 1992 | 1 | 4 | |||||||
Harley-Davidson, 3rd Edition | Dot Matrix Display | Stern (Originally Sega) | 2004 (1999) | 1 | 5 | |||||||
Taxi | Alphanumeric Display | Williams | 1988 | 1 | 5 | |||||||
Elvira and the Party Monsters | Alphanumeric Display | Bally | 1989 | 1 | 6 | |||||||
No Good Gofers | Dot Matrix Display | Williams | 1997 | 1 | 6 | |||||||
Scared Stiff | Dot Matrix Display | Bally | 1996 | 1 | 7 | P | P | P | P | P | P | |
Big Shot | Electro-Mechanical Display | Gottlieb | 1973 | 1 | 7 | |||||||
Twilight Zone | Dot Matrix Display | Bally | 1993 | 1 | 8 | P | P | P | P | P | P | |
Star Trek: The Next Generation | Dot Matrix Display | Williams | 1993 | 1 | 9 | P | P | P | P | P | P | |
Attack from Mars | Dot Matrix Display | Bally | 1995 | 1 | 10 | P | P | P | P | P | P | |
Genie | Numeric Display | Gottlieb | 1979 | 1 | 10 | |||||||
Dr. Dude & HIs Excellent Ray | Alphanumeric Display | Bally | 1990 | 2 | 11 | P | P | P | P | P | P | |
Firepower | Numeric Display | Williams | 1980 | 2 | 11 | |||||||
Cactus Canyon | Dot Matrix Display | Bally | 1998 | 2 | 12 | P | P | P | P | P | P | |
Central Park | Electro-Mechanical Display | Gottlieb | 1966 | 2 | 12 | |||||||
Space Shuttle | Numeric Display | Williams | 1984 | 2 | 13 | |||||||
White Water | Dot Matrix Display | Williams | 1993 | 2 | 13 | P | P | P | P | P | P | |
Centaur | Numeric Display | Bally | 1981 | 2 | 14 | |||||||
Pin*Bot | Alphanumeric Display | Williams | 1986 | 2 | 14 | P | P | P | P | P | P | |
The Champion Pub | Dot Matrix Display | Bally | 1998 | 2 | 15 | P | P | P | P | P | P | |
Whirlwind | Alphanumeric Display | Williams | 1990 | 2 | 15 | P | P | P | P | P | P | |
Flight 2000 | Numeric Display | Stern | 1980 | 2 | 16 | P | P | P | P | P | P | |
Goin' Nuts | Numeric Display | Gottlieb | 1983 | 2 | 16 | P | P | P | P | P | P | |
Terminator 2: Judgment Day | Dot Matrix Display | Williams | 1991 | 2 | 17 | P | P | P | P | P | P | |
Tee'd Off | Dot Matrix Display | Gottlieb | 1993 | 2 | 18 | P | P | P | P | P | P | |
Haunted House | Numeric Display | Gottlieb | 1982 | 2 | 18 | |||||||
Victory | Alphanumeric Display | Gottlieb | 1987 | 2 | 19 | |||||||
Class of 1812 | Alphanumeric Display | Gottlieb | 1991 | 2 | 19 | P | P | P | P | |||
Cue Ball Wizard | Dot Matrix Display | Gottlieb | 1992 | 2 | 20 | P | P | P | P | |||
El Dorado: City Of Gold | Numeric Display | Gottlieb | 1984 | 2 | 20 | |||||||
Fish Tales | Dot Matrix Display | Williams | 1992 | 3 | 21 | P |
Future Tables
FarSight Studios has plans to release the following tables.
Table | Table Type | Manufacturer | Year | Season | Table Pack | Information |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Black Knight 2000 | Alphanumeric Display | Williams | 1989 | 3 | TBA | Announced on Steam store page for Season 3.[16] |
Junk Yard | Dot-Matrix Display | Williams | 1996 | 3 | TBA | Announced on Steam store page for Season 3. |
WHO Dunnit | Dot-Matrix Display | Bally | 1995 | 3 | TBA | Announced on Steam store page for Season 3. |
Reception
The Pinball Arcade was well received by critics. It currently averages 84.83% for Xbox 360,[17] 81.67% for PS3[18] and 80.00% for PlayStation Vita[19] at GameRankings and 82/100 for Xbox360,[20] 79/100 for PlayStation Vita[21] and 82/100 for iOS[22] at Metacritic. IGN gave 9/10 for the PC and PS4 version of The Pinball Arcade and concluded: "For pinball fanatics or just those curious about gaming’s relatively low-tech past, Pinball Arcade is an excellent starting point for re-experiencing the golden days of quarter-munchers.". [23]
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. The PC World website listed The Pinball Arcade at number 100 on their top 100 best products of 2012.
See also
References
- ^ Nelson, Jared. "Video of Upcoming 'Pinball Arcade' Running on iPad 2." Touch Arcade. 12 January 2012. Retrieved on 18 June 2012.
- ^ Matrarch. ""Pinball Arcade Developer Diary Released." TrueAchievements. 27 December 2011. Retrieved on 18 June 2012.
- ^ http://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=95907686
- ^ a b c FarSight Studios (June 21, 2013). "Pinball Arcade: Terminator 2 Judgement Day by Farsight Studios". Kickstarter.com. Retrieved July 18, 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
- ^ "Pinball Arcade Newsletter #17". July 26, 2013.
- ^ "Pinball Arcade News & FAQ" Retrieved on 8 November 2013.
- ^ https://www.facebook.com/pinballarcade/posts/660438673977196
- ^ "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.
- ^ http://store.steampowered.com/app/268281/?snr=1_7_15__13
- ^ "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.
- ^ Osborn, Chuck. "Pinball Arcade Review" IGN. 18 November 2013. Retrieved on 21 November 2013.