Pinball FX3: September 26, 2017

In the town that I grew up in there used to be a movie theater that had a small arcade on the second story lobby. In that arcade there was one pinball machine, actually, it was THE PINBALL MACHINE. It was a Star Wars pinball machine that required more skill than I had in my preteen body. I didn’t get to go to the movies often but every time I did go I made sure that I had a few dollars worth of quarters so that I could attempt to destroy the Deathstar. Years later the theater went out of business and I always thought how cool would it be if I could own a Star Wars pinball table. As luck would have it, I now own 14 Star Wars tables, albeit they are all digital tables that I’ve purchased on Zen Pinball 2.

I was lucky, or it was by chance, to come across that Star Wars pinball table in that movie theater many years ago. Chance was also on my side when I came across Zen Pinball 2 in the PlayStation store. And once again chance had an eye on my when I came across an article stating that Pinball FX 3 would be coming out on September 26, 2017.

With Zen Pinball 2 I jumped right in and purchased as many tables as I found interesting, 38 to be exact, so I was both excited and a bit hesitant with a new pinball game coming out. Not to worry though, Zen Studios is not letting its loyal fan base/player base down, a large majority of the table you’ve purchased will transfer over to FX3. So all of your favorite old tables will appear to be your favorite new tables as the graphics have been updated as well as the textures. There are a few tables that won’t transfer over, and those are as follows:

• South Park Pinball (2 Table Pack)
• Street Fighter Pinball
• Ninja Gaiden Pinball
• Plants vs. Zombies Pinball
• Ms. Splosion Man Pinball

I’m no Tommy – that’s a reference to the classic rock album by THE WHO about a deaf, dumb and blind kid named Tommy that’s a pinball wizard – and neither are my friends but we’ve spent countless hours competing against each other to see who was the better player. Overall I would say we’re about even, it all depends on the table as we each found our niche table and officially “own it” in our small group. Zen Studios offers something for everyone; whether it be fast paced in your face speed ball or slow and deliberate tables, your options seem endless.

And if you didn’t already have a favorite table, or you’re tired of playing the free table, don’t worry, Zen Studios will have a brand new table pack ready and waiting for you. If you’re a fan of movies you’ll love the Universal Classics Pinball Pack; it includes Back to the Future Pinball, E.T. Pinball and Jaws Pinball.

I’m sorry but I can’t help myself, I cannot wait to go 88 miles per hour on these tables. I think I’ll need a bigger hard drive if Zen Studios keeps this up. And I’m definitely going to “phone home” about this game. On September 26, 2017 I’ll be there “full tilt” and I hope to see you there too.