Pinball M | Xbox Review

Well, whaddya know? Scott is reviewing another collection of pinball tables. My love for the silver ball is well-known amongst our community, so this probably doesn’t come as a surprise. Despite my issues with Zen Studios‘ subscription model with last year’s client, Pinball FX, I’m not any less in love with pinball. Thankfully, the latest entry is following the DLC model, which feels like a step back to the right direction for the series. Pinball M is a collection of five horror-themed tables based on popular franchises. Each table exudes the quality that Zen is known for and is unique in their own way. I definitely have my favorites, but even the ones that don’t stand out as much are still very solid. Let’s take a look at the lineup.

Wrath of the Elder Gods: Director’s Cut

As is usual with pinball clients, Pinball M is a free download with one included table that you can play as much as you like. The free table here is Wrath of the Elder Gods: Director’s Cut. As expected, this one has a very strong Lovecraft theme. Admittedly, I have very little experience with the source material, so Cthulhu does very little for me. I really should remedy that.

The table is one of the more accessible ones in the bunch, however, so it’s a good choice to wet players’ whistles. It’s relatively easy to rack up points early on, yet has tons of opportunities for much higher scores. My only issue with this one is the background music is a tad bland. I’m guessing that has to do with the theme, which might explain why it does little for me. Still, the table is great despite being my least favorite of the lot.

Chucky’s Killer Pinball

One of the better uses of the license is the table based on the murderous doll from the films made popular in the ’80s. Chucky’s Killer Pinball has actual voices and even short clips from the movies displayed during certain events. It’s a brilliant setting for a pinball table, and it’s a ton of fun to look at. There’s even a sliced up Chucky head at the top of the table that adds to the creep factor.

This one is also a ton of fun to play. The missions are easy to initiate and there’s very little question about how to complete them. The ramps are also extremely satisfying, especially when the ball loops completely around the table. This is one of my favorite titles from the collection, and one that I know I’ll revisit quite often.

The Thing Pinball

One of the biggest surprises from Zen in a long time is the table based on the 1982 Kurt Russell film, The Thing. Even though the voices are not the original from the movie, they’re more than good enough for what this table is going for. The table looks great, and really makes me want to revisit the film. It’s easily my favorite table from the lot, but that might be because I’m most familiar with the property on which it is based.

It’s also a ton of fun to play. The Antarctica setting is perfect for a pinball table, and I love working through each of the missions based on scenes from the film. There’s even a blizzard mechanic that blows the ball in unexpected directions while doubling your points at the same time. It’s the best addition to this collection and the one I find myself going back to more than any other.

Dead by Daylight™️ Pinball

I have absolutely zero experience with Dead by Daylight, so I felt a bit lost when playing this table. It’s still a high quality entry, however, with lots of moving parts that make each play a potentially different experience. This one also seems to be relatively easy to get points going early on, making it more accessible than the difficult tables like Chucky and The Thing.

One of the more unique attributes of this table is your choice to play as either a survivor or the killer. Each has its own benefits, and playing as the killer gives the table a unique red glow. There are so many opportunities for scoring, so there’s never a moment where you’re unsure what to aim for. It’s a very cleverly dark addition to Pinball M.

Duke Nukem’s Big Shot Pinball

Although the only Duke Nukem game I’ve ever completed is Duke Nukem Forever, I’m very familiar with the character. I mean, we did have the voice of Duke as a special guest at our last video game convention. What makes Duke Nukem’s Big Shot Pinball great is the inclusion of original assets from the 90s games. Not only will you hear Jon St. John’s actual voice lifted from the games, but there’s even pixelated enemies as well. It’s a fantastic throwback to the raunchier days of the past without ever going too far.

Figuring out the table’s mission structure is a blast. Each one recreates iconic moments from the games, complete with a first-person shooter mode where you aim with the flipper buttons while blasting aliens with the launch ball button. Every second feels as if it were lifted from the 90s, and it’s all the better for it.

Pinball M Final Verdicts

Pinball M is a must-have for pinball fanatics. The polish on these tables is second to none, and I’m having a blast doing my best to stay at the top of my friend leaderboard. As with Pinball FX, there are a ton of additional modes to keep the game fresh and exciting. Not only are there daily challenges and new modes of experiencing pinball, but they’ve added a ton of fun cosmetics to the game. You can unlock extra effects like ball trails, bonus sounds, and even fun ways to decorate your “pinball room”. You’ll even have the chance to upgrade your gamer card to show off just how good of a pinball player you are.

I’m more than satisfied with Pinball M, and I’m extremely looking forward to see what’s coming in 2024 for this client. It makes me very happy to know that I can purchase access to tables instead of being forced to pay for a continuous subscription to keep playing. Let’s hope that continues in the future as more pinball tables are sure to be on the horizon.

To hear me talk more about Pinball M, be sure to listen to our December 6th episode of The Gaming Outsider around the 1:02:37 time stamp.

This review is based on an Xbox copy of Pinball M provided by Sandbox Strategies for coverage purposes. It is also available on Xbox One, PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, and PC via Steam and Epic Games Store. It will be available on Nintendo Switch on December 28th.