Pinball Fx3 is probably the most authentic and diverse collection of virtual pinball machines collected in a single game. If you are a fan of Pinball, then chances are that you play Pinball Fx3 because no other Pinball game currently offers authentic tables from the 1980s and 1990s in their classic as well as modern form. It is a free-to-play game however the different tables found in the game must be purchased. The latest addition to the vast collection of Pinball Fx3 is Volume 5 for Williams Pinball and this is our review of the brand new tables added to the game.
Williams Pinball: Volume 5 adds three brand new Pinball tables to Pinball Fx3 and similar to previous titles, you get their classic form as well as the modern take of Pinball Fx3 with modern visuals and animated characters with special effects found on these tables. The three tables included in Williams Pinball: Volume 5 include Tales of the Arabian Nights, Cirqus Voltaire and No Good Gofers. All good tables, they bring 45 new challenges for you to tackle along with 190 new Masteries to achieve.
Starting with the first table, Tales of the Arabian Nights is a really famous Pinball table of its time. It was released in May 1996 and around 3,128 units were made. This masterpiece of a table features 7 stories from Tales of 1001 Nights and all seven of these stories are told throughout the game with each one giving you a jewel upon completion. The ultimate goal of this table is to battle the genie and free the princess but you have to complete all 7 stories before you can battle the genie.
The battle takes place during the Wizard Mode which is unlocked once you have all 7 jewels. You also have the handy Aladdin’s Magic Lamp in the middle of the table which can be rotated for points however after every rotation, it can block certain areas. You must hit it again to rotate it to open blocked areas. Enter the Bazaar and you can have your wish fulfilled which could be a free Jewel and set your ball on fire which can be fired at the Evil Genie sitting at the top of the table.
The table features an accompanying soundtrack that really suits the theme of the table and the animations and characters in 3D modeling look authentic. You can also play the table in its Classic Mode which means there won’t be any fancy animations or special effects in play but it is the virtual form of the original table released back in 1996 which is pretty cool. However, during the modern look, the Genie, Magic Carpet and Aladdin’s Magic Lamp in the middle keep the table filled with different animations throughout your gameplay.
The second table added to Pinball Fx3 in Volume 5 is the No Good Gofers. No Good Gofers was released back in December 1997 and only 2711 units were made. It was also the last Pinball table made by Pat Lawlor for Williams and it is a highly technical table. Despite its simple look, it actually packs a lot of secrets and moves and it will take you a little practice with the layout of the table to actually have fun with it.
The ball is released fairly in the middle and could arrive at the flippers surprisingly quickly which demands that you remain pretty active or you will end up losing your balls pretty quickly. The table features two gofers Bud and Buzz which will taunt you and try everything to make you mad and miss your targets. In the center of the table, you will find a spinning wheel that normally highlights your reward but if your ball rolls over it while it is spinning, it will change the course of your ball so you will be required to be extra-vigilante while it is spinning.
The No Good Gofers Pinball table also comes with its own soundtrack playing in the background which is actually pretty catchy and goes really well with the table’s wacky theme. The table is colorful and you will find pretty cool animations and special effects in the modern variant of the table. There is also a golfer standing in one corner with various golf carts sitting here and there on the modern version. The golfer responds happily when you score big and is really sad when you miss. The gofers respond the other way around and will often try to sabotage your gameplay as well.
The third and the final table in this pack is the real cherry. It was launched in October 1997 and only 2, 704 units were ever made. Called Cirqus Voltaire, this is one really unique and rare addition to the game. One of the reasons of this table being so unique is its build. It comes with 3 magnets, a mechanical elevating pop bumper, Ringmaster Bashing Toy, Neon Light, a Ball Kicker Mechanism in the backbox, a dot matrix display mounted into the playfield and 12 multiball modes.
It also comes with a Wizard mode which has 5 levels and you will need to clear all 5 in order to win. To unlock the Wizard mode, you must first complete 9 Marvels that the table comes with. Each Marvel has its own unique requirements however the table layout is pretty simple and you can quickly complete most of the Marvels once you’ve gotten hang of the basics of the table. The trusty in-game guide can make that even shorter.
Just like the previous two tables in this pack, Cirqus Voltaire looks amazing with its colorful modern look. As you continue to rack up scores and completing Marvels, you will see more and more parts of the table light up and look like a proper Circus with the Ringmaster popping up and down. The soundtrack is also pretty good and goes really well with the overall theme of the Pinball table.
Final Verdict:
The Pinball Fx3 – Williams Pinball Volume 5 is a must-buy for any Pinball fan who is currently building their own virtual Pinball machines collection. The three tables are completely different to each other and offer a great challenge. The Cirqus Voltaire alone is a pretty rare table to add to your collection and the other two are great as well. If you’ve actually played these tables physically, then you will appreciate having them virtually even more because with virtual Pinball machines, you do not have to worry about space, maintenance and other problems that a physical Pinball machine could have. It is also the perfect holiday gift for the Pinball fan in your family.
Final Score: 9/10
