Marvel Pinball

Last updated
Marvel Pinball
MarvelPinball cover.png
Developer(s) Zen Studios
Publisher(s) Microsoft Studios
Sony Computer Entertainment
Zen Studios
Platform(s) Xbox 360 (XBLA)
Xbox One (XBLA)
PlayStation 3 (PSN)
PlayStation 4 (PSN)
PlayStation Vita (PSN)
Android
Nintendo 3DS
iOS
Wii U
Microsoft Windows
macOS
ReleaseXbox Live Arcade
  • WW: December 8, 2010 [1]
PlayStation Network
  • NA: December 14, 2010
  • EU: December 15, 2010
Android
NA December 1, 2011 [2]
Nintendo 3DS eShop
  • NA: June 28, 2012
  • PAL: June 28, 2012 [2]
iOS
NA December 1, 2011 [2]
PlayStation Vita
November 13, 2012 [2]
Wii U
January 31, 2013 [2]
PC
May 10, 2013 [2]
Genre(s) Pinball
Mode(s) Single-player
Multiplayer

Marvel Pinball is a 2010 pinball video game developed by Zen Studios. It features Marvel Comics-themed pinball tables. It is available as a standalone game for the PlayStation 3 via the PlayStation Network, and as downloadable content for Pinball FX 2 on the Xbox 360 via Xbox Live Arcade. Its content on the PlayStation 3 is also playable in Zen Pinball 2 . It is the second pinball title for the PlayStation 3, succeeding Zen Pinball . It was released on December 8, 2010, on the Xbox 360 and December 14, 2010, on the PlayStation 3.

Contents

The game was positively received by critics. It holds an aggregate score of 87.73% on the Xbox 360 and 82.85% on the PlayStation 3 at GameRankings. Reviewers praised the visual presentation of each table, and commented specifically on the bright colors and animated characters. Most reviewers felt the table design was excellent, however some felt that certain sections of the table felt bare. Critics generally felt that it was an excellent value for the cost.[ citation needed ] Sales during the month of its release exceeded 47,000 copies on the Xbox 360 and 19,000 on the PlayStation 3.[ citation needed ]

Gameplay

Marvel Pinball features tables based on Marvel Comics characters. MarvelPinball screenshot.png
Marvel Pinball features tables based on Marvel Comics characters.

Marvel Pinball utilizes the same basic rules as a physical pinball machine, albeit in a virtual environment. As with a traditional pinball machine, the player fires a steel ball onto the playfield using a plunger. Once the ball is in play the player controls the flippers and can nudge the machine to influence the path of the ball. Each of the game's tables become more complex as the game advances, opening new paths and opportunities.

The Xbox 360 version was released as downloadable content for another Zen pinball video game, Pinball FX 2 . The PlayStation 3 version of Marvel Pinball has been made available as a stand-alone release, only. [3] While the PlayStation 3 version does not feature split-screen multiplayer, it features the ability to nudge the table by tilting the controller. [3] Both versions feature four pinball tables based on major Marvel Comics characters: Blade, Iron Man, Spider-Man, and Wolverine. [4] Additional tables are available via downloadable content. The official site held a poll to determine which table would be released next based on fan response. [5]

Marvel Pinball tablesVengeance and Virtue tablesAvengers Chronicles tablesMarvel Legends tablesHeavy Hitters tablesCinematic tablesWomen of Power tables [lower-alpha 1]

Notes

  1. ↑ These tables cannot be purchased separately on any platform.
  2. 1 2 3 4 Based on the comic book limited series of the same title.
  3. 1 2 3 4 Based on the Marvel Cinematic Universe film of the same title.

Development

Marvel Pinball was first leaked to the public via the Australian Classification Board website October 20, 2010. [6] It was officially announced on November 15, [7] and released on December 8 on the Xbox 360 and December 14 on the PlayStation 3. It was available as a stand-alone game for the PlayStation 3 via the PlayStation Network, and as downloadable content for Pinball FX 2 on the Xbox 360 via Xbox Live Arcade. It is the second pinball title for the PlayStation 3, succeeding Zen Pinball . As Marvel Comics has granted Zen Studios full license to the Marvel universe, the studio claimed future tables will expand beyond characters to cover events such as the Marvel Civil War and the Dark Siege. [3]

In an interview with Gamesworld Zen Studios hinted that a table centered around Captain America would be downloadable content, along with other content as well. [8] For 2011, Fantastic Four table was made available on May 17 on the PlayStation Network and May 18 on Xbox Live. [9] Captain America table was released on June 28 on PSN and on June 29 for Xbox Live. [10]

Later in July, Zen Studios and Marvel Comics presented Vengeance and Virtue, a four table expansion for Marvel Pinball. [11] The first of the tables, themed around the character Ghost Rider, was revealed at the same time. Zen and Marvel further announced that Marvel Pinball would be coming to additional platforms, for Nintendo 3DS, Wii U, PlayStation Vita, iOS, Android and Microsoft Windows. [11] The second table of the Vengeance and Virtue expansion pack was revealed to be X-Men at the 2011 New York Comic Con. [12] The third table, based on Moon Knight, was revealed in November. [13] The fourth and final table, Thor, was revealed in December, as was the release dates for the expansion, December 13 for PlayStation Network and December 14 for Xbox Live Arcade. [14] A Hulk themed table was confirmed to be in development by a Zen Studios representative in the Zen Studios forums. [15]

In 2012, a new four-pack entitled Avengers Chronicles was revealed. The pack included tables based on The Infinity Gauntlet, World War Hulk, Fear Itself, and The Avengers and was released on June 19. Additionally, tables centered on the Marvel Civil War and Doctor Strange were unveiled. [16] The Civil War table was released on November 20. [17] The Doctor Strange table was released on December 17, 2013. [18]

Reception

Marvel Pinball was released to positive reception among critics. It currently holds an aggregate score of 87.73% at GameRankings on the Xbox 360 and 82.85% on the PlayStation 3. [19] [20] Fellow aggregate website Metacritic reports similar scores, with the Xbox 360 version holding an average of 86/100 and the PlayStation 3 version averaging 83/100. [21] [22] Sales during the month of its release exceeded 47,000 copies on the Xbox 360 and 19,000 on the PlayStation 3. [29] [30] 2011 sales for the initial pack exceeded 47,000 units on Xbox Live Arcade. [31]

Richard Basset of TeamXbox gave Marvel Pinball a 9.5/10, stating of the Xbox Live version that the tables "are a top-notch addition to an awesome game". [28] The reviewer for MS Xbox World also gave the Xbox Live version a 9.5/10, stating that "Marvel Pinball is by far the best pack of tables that Pinball FX2 has to offer and gives something both comic and pinball fans". [32] GameZone's Robert Workman gave it an 8.5/10, stating it was "a simply must buy". [26]

Jim Cook of Gamers Daily News scored the Xbox Live version a slightly lower 8.5/10, saying that Marvel Pinball is "reasonably priced for what you get and its good aspects definitely outweigh the somewhat barren mid-field play on most of these tables". [33] Mike Rose of Strategy Informer gave the Marvel Pinball an 8.5/10. He stated that while he felt all four tables were amazing, he needed "to take all gamers into consideration, and while this is a near-perfect experience for pinball fanatics, plenty of gamers won't find the action as exhilarating". [34] Game Informer 's Matt Miller scored it an 8.5/10, lauding its "excellent comic art and highly detailed visual effects make each table pop with energy and color". [23] He did, however, criticize the loss of realism with character interactions to the table: "I also don’t always like when onscreen events occur that wouldn’t be possible on a real table, [...] the game is at its best when the illusion of true pinball is maintained" he stated. [23]

GamesRadar's Matthew Keast scored it a 7/10. He praised the overall look of each table, but cited visibility issues when Blade's table changes from day to night. [25] Matt Swider of GamePro disagreed, stating that the "odd-man-out choice of Blade amongst the three other Marvel heavyweights proves to be a successful one with its great use of day and night themes". [24] Swider further praised the animated fights between the heroes and villains during gameplay. He did warn users that due to the intricate detail it was "not an ideal game if you own a small TV". [24]

Related Research Articles

<i>Marvel vs. Capcom</i> Series of crossover fighting games

Marvel vs. Capcom is a series of crossover fighting games developed and published by Capcom, featuring characters from their own video game franchises and comic book series published by Marvel Comics. The series originated as coin-operated arcade games, though later releases would be specifically developed for home consoles, handhelds, and personal computers.

<i>Star Wars</i> video games Video games based on the Star Wars franchise

Over one hundred video games based on the Star Wars franchise have been released, dating back to some of the earliest home consoles. Some are based directly on films while others rely heavily on the Star Wars Expanded Universe.

nStigate Games

nStigate Games was an American video game developer based in Novato, California.

<i>Marvel: Ultimate Alliance</i> 2006 video game

Marvel: Ultimate Alliance is a 2006 action role-playing video game, developed by Raven Software for the PlayStation 2, PlayStation 3, Xbox and Xbox 360, and published by Activision. The game was ported to the PlayStation Portable and Wii by Vicarious Visions, and to Microsoft Windows by Beenox. A different Game Boy Advance version was developed by Barking Lizards Technologies. A re-release version based on Xbox 360's latest edition was ported by Zoë Mode for Windows, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One, and was released in July 2016.

<i>Pinball FX</i> 2007 video game

Pinball FX is a pinball machine video game for the Xbox 360. It was developed by Zen Studios and published by Microsoft Game Studios. It was released on April 25, 2007 via the Xbox Live Arcade service. The game features three tables, with six more available as downloadable content, leaderboards and online multiplayer. A sequel to the game, Pinball FX 2 was released on October 27, 2010.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Zen Studios</span> Hungarian video game developer

Zen Studios is a Hungarian video game developer and publisher of interactive entertainment software with headquarters in Budapest, Hungary and offices in the United States. It is known for its game franchises, Pinball FX and Zen Pinball, as well as CastleStorm, a tower defense hybrid which received the Apple Store's Editor’s Choice award. The company is considered "synonymous with licensed pinball tables," having produced dozens of tables with characters and themes from the Star Wars and Marvel universes, films like Guardians of the Galaxy, TV series like Archer, South Park, Family Guy and Bob's Burgers, and video game franchises such as Plants vs. Zombies, Portal, Street Fighter, and The Walking Dead.

<i>Marvel: Ultimate Alliance 2</i> 2009 video game

Marvel: Ultimate Alliance 2 is a 2009 action role-playing video game featuring characters from Marvel Comics. It is the sequel to 2006's Marvel: Ultimate Alliance, and the second installment in the Marvel: Ultimate Alliance series. The game was jointly developed by Vicarious Visions, n-Space and Savage Entertainment and published by Activision in September 2009. A port for the PlayStation 4, Xbox One and Microsoft Windows by Zoë Mode was released in July 2016.

<i>Zen Pinball</i> 2008 video game

Zen Pinball is a series of pinball machine video games for iOS and the PlayStation 3 developed by Zen Studios. The iOS releases are two separate applications, each containing one table; Zen Pinball: Rollercoaster, released July 7, 2008, and Zen Pinball: Inferno, released October 31, 2008. Zen Pinball for the PlayStation 3 was published by Sony Computer Entertainment and features four tables, plus an additional six tables as downloadable content. It was released on the PlayStation Network on May 14, 2009. It is the non-Microsoft counterpart to the Pinball FX series on the Xbox 360, and the first pinball game on the PlayStation 3. The game was also released on Android devices as Zen Pinball THD on December 1, 2011, and the Nintendo 3DS as Zen Pinball 3D via the Nintendo eShop on December 1, 2011 in Europe and January 12, 2012 in North America.

<i>Toy Soldiers</i> (video game) 2010 video game

Toy Soldiers is an action and strategy video game developed by Signal Studios released on Xbox Live Arcade on March 3, 2010. It is featured in the Windows 8 Consumer Preview Store. It has been available since February 29, 2012, debuting alongside the Windows 8 Consumer Preview beta release. The game was officially released for Microsoft Windows on April 27, 2012. A high-definition port, published by Accelerate Games, was released on October 21, 2021, for Xbox One, PlayStation 4, and Microsoft Windows.

<i>Marvel vs. Capcom 3: Fate of Two Worlds</i> Crossover fighting video game

Marvel vs. Capcom 3: Fate of Two Worlds is a crossover fighting video game developed by Capcom in collaboration with Eighting. The game features characters from both Capcom's video game franchises and comic book series published by Marvel Comics. It was released for the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 consoles in February 2011. It is the sequel to 2000's Marvel vs. Capcom 2: New Age of Heroes, the fifth installment of the Marvel vs. Capcom franchise, and the first to use three-dimensional character models instead of two-dimensional sprites.

<i>Pinball FX 2</i> 2010 video game

Pinball FX 2 is a pinball video game for Xbox 360, Xbox One, and Microsoft Windows and is the sequel to Pinball FX. It was developed by Zen Studios and published by Microsoft Studios. It was released on October 27, 2010 via the Xbox Live Arcade service. The game includes several new features, such as local multiplayer and the ability to tweak table settings. Players can also import all of the tables from Pinball FX they had previously purchased. The Windows 8 version of Pinball FX 2 was released on the Windows Store on October 27, 2012, two years after the original XBLA release. The game was subsequently released for other Windows platforms via Steam on May 10, 2013. Pinball FX 2 was announced for Windows Phone in February 2012. A sequel, Pinball FX 3 was released on September 2017.

<i>Ultimate Marvel vs. Capcom 3</i> Crossover fighting video game

Ultimate Marvel vs. Capcom 3 is a crossover fighting game developed by Capcom in collaboration with Eighting. It is an updated version of Marvel vs. Capcom 3: Fate of Two Worlds. The game features characters from both Capcom's video game franchises and comic book series published by Marvel Comics. The game was released in November 2011 for the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360, and was featured as a launch title for the PlayStation Vita in 2012. The game was later ported to PlayStation 4 in December 2016, and Windows and Xbox One in March 2017.

<i>The Pinball Arcade</i> 2012 video game

The Pinball Arcade is a pinball video game developed by FarSight Studios. The game is a simulated collection of 100 real pinball tables licensed by Gottlieb, Alvin G. and Company, and Stern Pinball, a company which also owns the rights of machines from Data East and Sega Pinball. Williams and Bally games are no longer available since June 30, 2018, as FarSight had lost the license to WMS properties, which has since passed to Zen Studios.

<i>Zen Pinball 2</i> 2012 video game

Zen Pinball 2 is a pinball video game developed by Zen Studios for the Wii U, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, Android, and PlayStation Vita. The game was announced on April 9, 2012. The first PlayStation versions were released on September 4, 2012 in North America and September 5 in Europe while the Wii U version was released on March 21, 2013 in North America and January 31, 2013 in Europe.

<i>Tales of the Arabian Nights</i> (pinball) 1996 pinball machine

Tales of the Arabian Nights is a 1996 pinball machine produced by Williams. The game is based on the stories of One Thousand and One Nights and features a blue jinn. The marketing slogan is "Your Wish is Granted".

<i>Marvel vs. Capcom Origins</i> 2012 video game

Marvel vs. Capcom Origins is a crossover fighting video game developed by Iron Galaxy Studios and published by Capcom. It is a compilation of Marvel Super Heroes (1995) and Marvel vs. Capcom: Clash of Super Heroes (1998). The dual pack was released through the PlayStation Network and Xbox Live Arcade in September and October 2012, respectively.

<i>CastleStorm</i> 2013 video game

CastleStorm is a 2013 game developed by Zen Studios released for Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, PlayStation Vita, Wii U, Xbox 360, and Xbox One. A remastered version called CastleStorm: Definitive Edition, as well as a free-to-play mobile version, CastleStorm: Free to Siege, was released in 2014. A sequel, CastleStorm 2 was released on the 31st July 2020.

<i>Pinball FX 3</i> 2017 video game

Pinball FX 3 is a pinball simulator video game developed and published by Zen Studios and is the sequel to Pinball FX 2. It was released for Microsoft Windows, Xbox One, PlayStation 4 in September 2017 and then released for the Nintendo Switch in December 2017. A followup called Pinball FX was released in February 16, 2023.

References

  1. ↑ Fahey, Mike (2010-12-02). "Wolverine Tears Marvel Pinball A Release Date". Kotaku . Retrieved 2010-12-02.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 McCroskey, Matthew (2011-07-23). "Pinball San Diego ComicCon Announcements!". Marvel Pinball. Retrieved 2011-07-25.
  3. 1 2 3 Tong, Sophia (2010-11-16). "Marvel Pinball First Look". GameSpot . Retrieved 2010-11-30.
  4. ↑ Fahey, Mike (2010-11-15). "Marvel Pinball: From Comics Page To Silver Ball". Kotaku. Retrieved 2010-11-30.
  5. ↑ "Marvel Pinball". Marvel Comics, Zen Studios . Retrieved 2010-11-30.
  6. ↑ Gilbert, Ben (2010-10-20). "'Marvel Pinball' leaked by Australian Ratings Board". Joystiq . Retrieved 2010-11-30.
  7. ↑ Sinclair, Brendan (2010-11-15). "Marvel Pinball swinging to XBL, PSN this year". GameSpot. Retrieved 2010-11-30.
  8. ↑ "Designing in unconventional ways - an interview with ZEN Studios". gamesworld.blox.pl. 2011-02-03. Retrieved 2011-02-03. We already know that new tables for Marvel Pinball will be available, such as the Captain America table.
  9. ↑ "ZEN Studios and Marvel Entertainment, LLC Celebrate 50 Years of the Fantastic Four With New DLC for Marvel Pinball". Zen Studios. Retrieved 2011-04-29.
  10. ↑ "Captain America set to make his Marvel Pinball debut". Archived from the original on 2011-07-22. Retrieved 2011-06-17.
  11. 1 2 Conditt, Jessica (2011-06-25). "Marvel Pinball springing onto new devices, rolling out a new title". Joystiq. Retrieved 2011-06-26.
  12. ↑ "Marvel Pinball: Vengeance and Virtue Update" . Retrieved 15 October 2011.
  13. ↑ "Moon Knight revealed as second vengeful table". Zen Studios. Retrieved 10 November 2011.
  14. ↑ "Thor Revealed as the final Marvel Pinball: Vengeance and Virtue character!". Zen Studios. Retrieved 5 December 2011.
  15. ↑ "Hulk will make his way to Pinball FX and Marvel Pinball". Zen Studios. 22 November 2011. Retrieved 21 December 2011.
  16. ↑ Marchiafava, Jeff (April 2012). "Pinball Wizards". Game Informer. No. 228. pp. 52–55.
  17. ↑ BarbieBobomb. "Civil War Comes to Marvel Pinball – Whose Side Are You On?". Zen Studios. Retrieved 16 October 2012.
  18. ↑ "Home". marvelpinball.com.
  19. 1 2 "Pinball FX 2: Marvel Pinball for the Xbox 360". GameRankings. Retrieved 2010-12-29.
  20. 1 2 "Marvel Pinball for the PlayStation 3". GameRankings . Retrieved 2010-12-29.
  21. 1 2 "Marvel Pinball for the Xbox 360 Reviews, Ratings, Credits, and More at Metacritic". Metacritic. Retrieved 2010-12-29.
  22. 1 2 "Marvel Pinball for the PlayStation 3 Reviews, Ratings, Credits, and More at Metacritic". Metacritic . Retrieved 2010-12-29.
  23. 1 2 3 Miller, Matt (2010-12-10). "Marvel Pinball - Zen's Licensed Tables Shine In Marvel Pinball". Game Informer . Retrieved 2010-12-12.
  24. 1 2 3 Swider, Matt (2010-12-09). "Pinball FX 2: Marvel Pinball". GamePro . Archived from the original on 2011-12-02. Retrieved 2010-12-10.
  25. 1 2 Keast, Matthew (2010-12-07). "Pinball FX 2: Marvel Pinball DLC review". GamesRadar . Retrieved 2010-12-08.
  26. 1 2 Workman, Robert (2010-12-11). "Marvel Pinball". GameZone. Archived from the original on 2010-12-14. Retrieved 2010-12-12.
  27. ↑ George, Richard (2010-12-13). "Pinball FX2: Marvel Pinball Review". IGN . Archived from the original on 2010-12-14. Retrieved 2010-12-14.
  28. 1 2 Basset, Richard (2010-12-07). "Marvel Pinball for Pinball FX 2 Review (Xbox 360)". TeamXbox. Archived from the original on 2010-12-10. Retrieved 2010-12-07.
  29. ↑ Langley, Ryan (2011-01-28). "XBLA: In-Depth: Xbox Live Arcade Sales Analysis For All Of 2010". Gamerbytes. Archived from the original on February 1, 2011. Retrieved 2011-01-31.
  30. ↑ Langley, Ryan (2011-02-06). "In-Depth: PlayStation Network Sales Analysis, November - December 2010, And A Look At The Whole Year". Gamerbytes. Archived from the original on 2011-02-11. Retrieved 2011-02-08.
  31. ↑ Langley, Ryan (2012-01-20). "Xbox Live Arcade by the numbers - the 2011 year in review". Gamasutra . Retrieved 2012-01-23.
  32. ↑ "Marvel Pinball Review". MS Xbox World. 2010-12-07. Archived from the original on January 12, 2011. Retrieved 2010-12-07.
  33. ↑ Cook, Jim (2010-12-07). "Pinball FX 2: Marvel Pinball Review (XBLA)". Gamers Daily News. Archived from the original on 2010-12-10. Retrieved 2010-12-07.
  34. ↑ Rose, Mike (2010-12-08). "Marvel Pinball Review". Strategy Informer. Retrieved 2010-12-08.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.