Pinball Madness 2

Rating:
Summary: Many Violent Images
Review: If you're a parent who cares, avoid this one. It has gruesome pictures of all sorts of devilish characters and many violent images. The objectionable images are NOT shown on the box cover, thereby deceiving many caring parents.

Rating:
Summary: Many Violent Images
Review: If you're a parent who cares, avoid this one. It has gruesome pictures of all sorts of devilish characters and many violent images. The objectionable images are NOT shown on the box cover, thereby deceiving many caring parents.

Rating:
Summary: A nice package, but one glaring flaw
Review: This package is a catch-all of PC pinball games, including one that many consider to be the peak of that genre -- so, naturally, that's the one the packagers had to screw up.

In descending order:

PRO PINBALL: TIMESHOCK! is simply superb. The table is extremely well-designed, the physics are realistic, and the gameplay really makes you feel like you're controlling a real pinball game. This is the game I bought the package for. However, it should be noted that this version of Timeshock DOES NOT HAVE MUSIC, because the geniuses at Encore removed it to make room on the disc for something else. This is NOT mentioned on the outer packaging OR in the manual: caveat emptor.

ADDICTION PINBALL has two more tables, one based on Worms (the hyperkinetic cartoony wargame) and one with a racing theme. Neither one is bad, both are worth playing. Timeshock just takes it to another level.

BALLS OF STEEL is very different from the above -- five tables, but these are scrolling tables instead of a full-table view. This is more of an arcade-game experience than a sim; enjoyable for what it is, but it's no substitute for the real thing.

FULL TILT 2 from Maxis is okay. Nothing special to write home about here, but it does have three more rudimentary tables.

PINBALL BUILDER needs work. I haven't personally gotten far with it, but reviews I've read indicate that this is about as limited an editor as you'll find -- you're not going to build anything too creative with this one. For this they removed Timeshock's music?

That's eleven tables mentioned. Where are the other nine to complete the "20 of the world's best tables" cover blurb? In Pinball Builder, I guess.

Anyway, it's here and it works and it's got most of Timeshock so it's probably worth having.

Rating:
Summary: Eclectic mix of great and mediocre tables
Review: Timeshock along with Rally Fever and Worms is worth buying this set. Timeshock is the best table made to date. Rally Fever, has an annoying voice who's volume is significantly louder than the rest of the game. The voice doesn't speak much, but when it does, it can be annoying because of its volume. The table itself is fun. Worms is a great table, if nothing else, it has Super Sheep!

I can't get Balls of Steel to work on my computer and its opening of saying "I've got balls of steel" can be rather misunderstood by passers by.

There are another three tables which are good to play, but not very detailed or deep. The graphics are cartoonish style and the tables themselves are rather small. You won't get addicted to those games as you would Worms and Timeshock.

I was gitty about the Pinball Builder. Once I started trying to use it, I was no longer gitty. The tables are entirely set. All you are doing is adding bumpers, targets and what-not. You won't be making any ramps or interactive deals with that software.

After all is said, I still rate this 4 stars for the first three tables. If you can find this software, you probably will get a good deal. It will be worth purchasing.

Rating:
Summary: Eclectic mix of great and mediocre tables
Review: Timeshock along with Rally Fever and Worms is worth buying this set. Timeshock is the best table made to date. Rally Fever, has an annoying voice who's volume is significantly louder than the rest of the game. The voice doesn't speak much, but when it does, it can be annoying because of its volume. The table itself is fun. Worms is a great table, if nothing else, it has Super Sheep!

I can't get Balls of Steel to work on my computer and its opening of saying "I've got balls of steel" can be rather misunderstood by passers by.

There are another three tables which are good to play, but not very detailed or deep. The graphics are cartoonish style and the tables themselves are rather small. You won't get addicted to those games as you would Worms and Timeshock.

I was gitty about the Pinball Builder. Once I started trying to use it, I was no longer gitty. The tables are entirely set. All you are doing is adding bumpers, targets and what-not. You won't be making any ramps or interactive deals with that software.

After all is said, I still rate this 4 stars for the first three tables. If you can find this software, you probably will get a good deal. It will be worth purchasing.