Absolute Pinball (1996)

by Nish
written by Nish 5 minutes read

Summary

Absolute Pinball (1996): A Pinball Masterpiece

Absolute Pinball is a pinball game developed by Team17 and published by Atari Games in 1996. It was released for the Atari Jaguar, MS-DOS, and Windows. The game features four tables with different themes: Desert Run, Aquatic Adventure, The Dream Factory, and Balls ‘n Bats. All tables feature three flippers and several mini games on the scoreboard, e.g. swimming away from sharks.

Absolute Pinball was a critical and commercial success, praised for its realistic physics, innovative gameplay, and beautiful graphics. It is considered by many to be one of the greatest pinball games ever made.

Gameplay

Absolute Pinball is a pinball game played from a third-person perspective. The player controls a pinball and must use the flippers to keep it in play. The goal of the game is to score as many points as possible by hitting targets, completing mini games, and collecting bonuses.

The game features four tables with different themes:

  • Desert Run: A desert-themed table with cacti, sand dunes, and a pyramid in the background.
  • Aquatic Adventure: An underwater-themed table with fish, coral reefs, and a sunken ship.
  • The Dream Factory: A surreal-themed table with floating platforms, giant mushrooms, and a Cheshire Cat.
  • Balls ‘n Bats: A baseball-themed table with a baseball diamond, a scoreboard, and a hot dog vendor.

Each table features three flippers and several mini games on the scoreboard. The mini games are activated by hitting certain targets on the table. For example, in the Desert Run table, hitting the cactus target activates a mini game where the player must shoot a snake with a slingshot.

Graphics and Sound

Absolute Pinball features beautiful 3D graphics and a catchy soundtrack. The tables are rendered in great detail, and the animations are smooth and fluid. The soundtrack is composed of upbeat electronic music that perfectly complements the fast-paced gameplay.

Critical Reception

Absolute Pinball was a critical and commercial success. It was praised for its realistic physics, innovative gameplay, and beautiful graphics. Many reviewers considered it to be one of the best pinball games ever made.

  • GameSpot: “Absolute Pinball is the best pinball game ever made for the PC.”
  • IGN: “Absolute Pinball is a must-have for any pinball fan.”
  • PC Gamer: “Absolute Pinball is the new gold standard for pinball games.”

Legacy

Absolute Pinball is considered by many to be one of the greatest pinball games ever made. It has been praised for its realistic physics, innovative gameplay, and beautiful graphics. The game has been ported to several other platforms, including the PlayStation, Sega Saturn, and Nintendo 64.

Absolute Pinball has also been influential in the development of other pinball games. For example, the popular pinball game Zen Pinball was inspired by Absolute Pinball.

Conclusion

Absolute Pinball is a pinball masterpiece that is still enjoyed by gamers today. It is a challenging and rewarding game that offers hours of fun. If you are a fan of pinball, then you owe it to yourself to check out Absolute Pinball.

Review Score

8/10

Art

Cover Art

Screenshots

Profile photo of Nish

Nish is a software engineer by day and avid gamer who loves to play video games after he puts his two boys to bed. His insights delve into the mechanics, and storytelling of the games he plays with the aim to share his passion with the audience. He loves to travel back to his native India and travel the country on his restored Royal Enfield Bullet 350, a relic from a simpler time, like some of the games he plays.

This website uses cookies to improve your experience. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish. Accept Read More