Review: The Pinball HD

Overview The Pinball HD is the iPad version of the three pinball games for the iPhone, Wild West Pinball, The Deep, and Jungle Style Pinball. All three pinball tables are sold as separate apps for the iPhone, but are included in one for the iPad. It’s billed as the most realistic pinball game in the App Store, but is it? Features The game features three separate pinball tables with The Deep, Wild West Pinball, and Jungle Style Pinball. Each of the tables has their own unique layouts, missions, and ways to earn max points. The game features local and online high scores for each of three tables. The game has two camera angels depending on how you hold your iPad. In portrait mode their is the zoomed in ball following camera while in landscape it shows a zoomed out view of the whole table at once. The Good The best aspect is that you get three completely different tables for one low price. Each table gives you different objectives, and different ways to score points so each one provides a whole different pinball experience. This is as close as it comes to making a digital version like a realistic pinball machine. It’s so much fun as you try to hit the ball up various ramps, and reach the little switches to unlock the maximum point sectors of the table. The Deep has you reach checkpoints to advance levels, The Jungle has you reach Kong and Tikis, and Wild West is the most basic of the bunch, but still has you shooting dirty harry. The game looks amazing with the intricacies of each of the different boards intertwining the theme beautifully. Each one is packed with detail, and the 3D look of each table further immerses you to make it even closer to a realistic pinball experience. The physics engine is excellently made so it seems as though you’re hitting the actual metal ball around the table with it colliding as authentically as possible. Both camera angles are great to play, and offer a different experience. It’s amazing seeing the whole table at once as though you’re actually playing on an actual machine. The ball following camera provides a whole new way to look at pinball as you get a close up on the amazing design of the pinball table. The ball following camera never makes it more difficult or has you missing certain parts, it's just a new way to play. The controls are super easy as you just tap anywhere on either the left or right side of the screen to push the corresponding flipper. The game has a great save system, so if you leave for any reason you can pick up right where you left off where ever the ball was on the table. The online high scores add a little to the replay factor. The Bad The sounds leave something to be desired as there isn’t much included at all. There is no background music leaving you just with the sounds of the table. The sound effects though all sound practically the same unless it’s the annoying voices from The Deep. The sound of the supposedly metal ball, sounds like a piece of wood smacking the walls rather than the true metallic sound. The online high scores are very simplistic, and the scores are connected with the iPhone leaderboards rather than just iPad owners. While playing there are slight freezes for just along to notice, then it's flowing smooth again. The Verdict The Pinball HD is the best pinball experience on the iPad by far and away, and truly deserves the title, “The” pinball. Look no further for pinball on your iPad with amazingly deluxe tables with realistic physics giving you the closest thing to actually playing the physical machine. Digital pinball has never felt so real, and it's provided in an amazing package to witness. Three completely different tables are included for only $2.99 which is the best deal in the App Store making this an absolute must. Enjoy!

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