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3-D PINBALL (SPC)
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Publisher: Mastertronic Plus.
Developer: Active Magic. Released: 1989. Genre: Pinball. Other versions: CPC. Posted 20th August 2020. By Tom Clare © 2020 |
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Going by 3-D Pinball on its cover but proclaiming itself Pinball Power on a rather gaudy title screen, this dual-identity pinballer from the late eighties remains a source of some confusion all these years later. Nevertheless, naming nonsense aside, 3DP represented another typically sturdy showing from budget publishing colossus Mastertronic. This single-table pinball sim doesn’t count among the more exciting games of the time, but thanks to some pretty visuals and a surprisingly neat 3D effect, it's a cool showcase of the Spectrum’s capabilities.
3-D Pinball is a nifty attempt at recreating pinball with a more realistic perspective. Indeed, it’s one that hasn’t changed much in the thirty years that have followed. The game’s single, bright-yellow table looks inviting. Whilst it lacks the range of colours and details exhibited in the Commodore 64 version, it makes up for it through excellent clarity of design. The Spectrum version is less rough around the edges, score counters are easier to read and the more streamlined, distinctive colour scheme means it makes the most of the hardware.
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A crisp, clear colour scheme combined with decent physics means 3-D Pinball works well on the Spectrum
The 3D effect essentially mimics a first-person viewpoint, with the top end of the table appearing slightly narrower and further away. This distinguishes 3-D Pinball from its top-down contemporaries. This visual sleight of hand is delivered with a fair degree of success too. Pinball movement is smooth, whilst seeing it travel up and down the table reveals an admirable scaling effect that is, for the most part, barely noticeable. That is, except for the odd quirk thrown up by horizontal movements at the top end of the table. It isn’t often a problem, but now and then, when the pinball is rocketing around, it can lose track and emerge in a slightly different location than its path seemingly suggested, which can throw you a bit.
The design of the table is simple and easy to grasp. There are a few different ways to build a multiplier bonus, though unpredictable flipper trajectories can make accessing the ramps risky and difficult. Controls respond moderately well, though it’s a little too easy for the pinball to slip clean off the flippers and out of play. Whilst ‘Tilt’ finds itself unmistakably emblazoned across the game’s cover, there are no nudge or tilt options. It’s a strange omission for a pinball game, stranger still to draw attention to it. The loop in the centre of the table exposes some serious problems with this oversight, as the pinball can become lodged halfway around, leaving your run stuck in limbo, with no means of continuing. Slingshots are a little too prominent, occasionally breaking the flow of the gameplay, as you sit waiting for the gormless back-and-forth to end.
The design of the table is simple and easy to grasp. There are a few different ways to build a multiplier bonus, though unpredictable flipper trajectories can make accessing the ramps risky and difficult. Controls respond moderately well, though it’s a little too easy for the pinball to slip clean off the flippers and out of play. Whilst ‘Tilt’ finds itself unmistakably emblazoned across the game’s cover, there are no nudge or tilt options. It’s a strange omission for a pinball game, stranger still to draw attention to it. The loop in the centre of the table exposes some serious problems with this oversight, as the pinball can become lodged halfway around, leaving your run stuck in limbo, with no means of continuing. Slingshots are a little too prominent, occasionally breaking the flow of the gameplay, as you sit waiting for the gormless back-and-forth to end.
Have you got what it takes to best Tom's top score of 31,650? Probably. He scored 25,000 on the first ball and then utterly ran out of steam
3-D Pinball is enjoyable in quick bursts, with high-score opportunities making for a nice distraction. Even if the table feels a little unadventurous, it plays nicely. As well as showcasing bright and attractive visual presentation, the game delivers some simplistic but well-suited sound effects for bumpers and switches, though it’s missing the awesome rolling effect of the C64 version.
It’s hardly the most exciting game on the Spectrum, and in light of some of the more creative pinball games to emerge during the late eighties, its table would have benefited from some more original features. However, 3-D Pinball is a nicely-crafted, smart piece of programming that does a surprisingly effective job of recreating a modern pinball experience on the format. Not a world-beater, but it is fun, and chasing high-scores should keep fans of the genre entertained.
It’s hardly the most exciting game on the Spectrum, and in light of some of the more creative pinball games to emerge during the late eighties, its table would have benefited from some more original features. However, 3-D Pinball is a nicely-crafted, smart piece of programming that does a surprisingly effective job of recreating a modern pinball experience on the format. Not a world-beater, but it is fun, and chasing high-scores should keep fans of the genre entertained.
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VERDICT
"3-D Pinball doesn’t count among the more exciting games of the time, but thanks to some pretty visuals and a surprisingly neat 3D effect, it's a cool showcase of the Spectrum’s capabilities." OVERALL: 6/10 |
MORE EYE-CATCHING PINBALL GAMES REVIEWED
Devil's Crush (1990, PC Engine)
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Pro Pinball: Big Race USA (1998, PC)
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