Review: Pinball FX VR
Throughout my gaming journey, I’ve explored various Pinball games on different consoles, including my experience with Pinball FX2 VR on the original PSVR. Therefore, I was excited to see the Pinball FX series making a comeback in VR and couldn’t wait to dive back into the virtual tables. However, does this latest installment deliver all that I hoped for?
Release Date: April 3rd 2025
Developer: Zen Studios
Publisher: Zen Studios
Price: Base Game: £7.99 / DLC Tables: Prices Vary
Reviewed On: Meta Quest 3
* Access Provided For Review *
Authentic Pinball Experience
What truly matters in a game like Pinball FX is that the development team perfects the gameplay to deliver an authentic pinball experience. Achieving flawless in-game physics is essential, and I’m pleased to say that Zen Studios has accomplished this thanks to their expertise. This attention to detail keeps players fully engaged, ensuring that any mistakes made are due to player error rather than unpredictable bounces or erratic ball movements.
Another feature I particularly appreciate is the introduction of various challenges that encourage players to aim for specific goals, rather than solely relying on score chasing to keep them coming back—since not everyone enjoys that aspect. These challenges differ from table to table and can include structured tasks, which may involve score-based objectives or interactive challenges. This variety provides players with numerous incentives to revisit the tables, enhancing the game’s overall replay value.
When you purchase the base version of the game, you’ll receive three original tables from Zen Studios to kickstart your collection: Curse of the Mummy, Sky Pirates: Treasures of the Clouds, and Pinball Noir. Each of these tables is expertly crafted, providing players with an excellent introduction to the VR pinball experience. They come with distinct challenges and bonuses that enhance gameplay, such as gravity-defying ball jumps, first-person bonus sections, and exciting multi-ball activations. These unique features ensure that each table offers a different and engaging experience.
You can enhance your collection by purchasing licensed tables through DLC. These include beloved recreations of classic Williams tables such as Star Trek, The Addams Family, Twilight Zone, World Cup Soccer, and Indiana Jones. In addition to these, there’s also the Universal Pinball TV Classics bundle available, featuring iconic tables like Xena: Warrior Princess, Knight Rider, and Battlestar Galactica. This means you can significantly expand your collection with some fantastic licensed classics. Plus, the great news is that all these tables have demo machines available in your virtual 80s arcade, allowing you to try them out before making a purchase for your collection.
I think the main hurdle for many players will be the price of the DLC. If you’re aiming to access the complete range of tables, you’ll need to spend an additional £55.94 for the extra eight tables. However, for those who have been playing pinball games since the introduction of DLC, this is a common way for the genre to generate revenue through licensed DLC tables. That said, I can understand how newcomers might be taken aback by this pricing model.
Perfectly Captured
The gameplay experience is significantly enriched by the nostalgic 80’s arcade setting, complete with vibrant neon lights, eccentric carpet designs, and a soundtrack of synth music that perfectly captures the era’s vibe. The developers have gone the extra mile by incorporating thoughtful details that deepen this immersion. For instance, you can approach the tables, retrieve a coin from your pocket, and insert it to begin your game. As you place your virtual hands on the table’s edge, you’ll notice your fingers twitching in response to the controller buttons, mimicking the authentic feel of playing Pinball. The immersion extends beyond the tables; you can also visit vending machines to grab a soda, requiring you to insert a coin and select your drink just like at the game tables. These small, yet impactful features added by the developers enhance the overall experience, making it all the more engaging. Additionally, you’ll have the opportunity to unlock various items such as new songs, trophies, models, and posters, enabling you to personalise your arcade space.
The team has gone to great lengths to ensure that the tables they created are true to the originals. They gained access to real tables, disassembled them, and carefully scanned every component to achieve a perfect scale replica. Considering the extensive effort and passion the team has invested in these tables, the cost of the licensed DLC tables becomes more justifiable and, for me, much easier to accept.
One notable aspect of playing Pinball in virtual reality, as opposed to the traditional experience, is the immersive elements surrounding each table that enhance the gameplay. For instance, in the base tables, you encounter a mummy next to one table, a detective on the Noir table, and a Steampunk pirate on another—all of which respond to your combos and when you lose a ball. While these features add to the excitement, I found them engaging without being distracting enough to lead to errors. This added layer truly enhances the interactive feel of the game.
Zen Studios has introduced a mixed reality mode to the game, and it’s impressively executed. However, to fully enjoy this feature, a spacious gaming area is essential. You can bring tables into your own environment, but even in my relatively spacious gaming room, I can only accommodate two or three tables at most. I would love the ability to fit all of them in and move freely between them. The mixed reality experience also incorporates the elements outside of the tables, while allowing you to place posters, trophies, and models around your actual room, which truly enhances the immersive experience.
Comfort
The Verdict
Pinball FX VR delivers an incredibly authentic pinball experience in virtual reality, featuring impeccable in-game physics that ensure any lost balls are a result of your own skills rather than game mechanics. The base game includes three original tables from Zen Studios, providing a solid foundation for your collection and enough entertainment for hours of solo play. Additionally, there are eight fully licensed recreations of classic tables from Williams and Universal, allowing you to enhance your gameplay with some outstanding licensed options if you enjoy the game. However, it’s worth noting that acquiring all the downloadable content will set you back a total of £63.93 (including the base game). While the extensive effort and passion behind creating these licensed tables justify this pricing model, which has been common in pinball games for years, it would have been nice to see a bundled version at a discounted rate. If you’re seeking a genuine pinball experience at a fraction of the cost of real tables, this game is an excellent choice and serves as a fantastic introduction to what virtual reality has to offer for your friends.