My Played Video Games Review: Pinball for the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES)
Pinball is an enjoyable, pinball video game developed by Nintendo for the Famicom (NES in Japan) in 1983. It is based on the handheld electronic game, a Game & Watch, unit of the same name. In 1985, it reached North America as one of 17 launch titles for the NES.
I used to play this game when I got bored of the platform and action shooting games on the NES during the early 1990s.
The Story
No story but just be a pinball wizard in your own home instead of wasting expensive coin tokens in a pinball machine. You got to rack up points to beat your opponent's scores, and, if you are damn lucky, progress to the bonus round where you will save the falling girl in this video game version of pinball!
The Graphics and Sound
Pinball has fairly decent graphics and was quite good at the time of release. The ball moves through the large boards with realistic pinball physics, with a lag time that's nonexistent. The design of the board itself is mediocre, with only a frame over a black background. But that is barely noticeable due to the concentration you needed to concentrate on the action. Overall, the graphics are just okay with the NES's capabilities.
This game has got a low score on the sound department. The only sounds that exist are the sound effects of the ball hitting obstacles and how they react when hit with the ball. The only music is a theme that plays when you have completed objectives. The music and sound are just right for the game because less is more in this case.
The Gameplay
This is where Pinball shines. The game is surprisingly not boring, but just right if you are a pinball fan. It is a solid pinball sim that can entertain you for hours. The small bonus level game involving Mario trying to catch the girl is a great way to boost points and is nice and easy to play. Games of this type are designed for good replay value and Nintendo are the masters of designing such games.
My Verdict
Pinball is recommended to anyone that likes to play casually to kill some time, be it alone or competing with someone. It is geat because you need no prior knowledge to gaming and it is mildly addictive. Pinball is a real time-eater, but one of the more nice games of it's kind.
Play it on the NES, on emulators or free online play. You will not regret it.