Customer Reviews

Metroid Prime Pinball

5 star:		(12)
4 star:		(11)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I've never really understood entrepreneurship and risk-taking. It's too, uh, risky for my tastes. Luckily, I'm not the one in charge of developing games for Nintendo, because once again they've completely blindsided me by taking one of their top franchises, Metroid, and mixed it with a completely random genre, pinball, creating a game that is simply one of the best of its kind. My first thought was, "Who wants to play a Metroid pinball game?" Well, I sure as hell wanted to once I tried the game out for the first time. After that, I was hooked. One pinball session turned into ten, minutes turned to hours, and as I learned the ropes...er, ramps of Metroid Prime Pinball, I've been made a fan.

In the game you roll through seven of Metroid Prime's different environments to collect artifacts and eventually destroy bosses like Omega Pirate, Meta Ridley, and Metroid Prime. Of course, in typical Metroid style, you'll collect power-ups and backtrack through the different levels in order to progress. This makes the game quite challenging, but most pinball video games have a steep difficulty anyway.

In order to collect these artifacts, you have to complete challenges that are almost always involved with destroying a certain number of enemies in a limited amount of time without sending your ball into the gutter. These challenges get pretty difficult but maintain a level of excitement as you try to kill off as many enemies as possible without losing a ball. Essentially that's what it always comes down to. I was surprised that my blood was pumping while playing a pinball video game, but it's that gripping and it's that exciting.

I'm really impressed with the graphics and the sound that come from Metroid Prime Pinball. Nintendo almost perfectly captured the look and feel of the GameCube classic, from the wet-looking, rainy Tallon Overworld to the powdery, snowy Phendrana Drifts. Even the tiny enemy sprites look and act just like their slick GameCube counterparts. Of course, they make the exact same sound effects as well while the game's atmospheric music pounds in the background. Somehow a 2D pinball game captures the same feel as a super-detailed first-person shooter. It sure caught me off guard.

I've mentioned it several times that I can't believe I enjoyed a pinball game so much, but it's really not all that surprising when you consider how well it captures the feeling of the source matter, Metroid Prime. Once you're finished with the final boss in the game's Multi Mission mode, there's the score-based Single Mission mode and a Wireless Multiplayer mode. That's all there is, so unfortunately there aren't many different modes of play. The Multi Mission mode is difficult but once you get the hang of the different levels, I'd say it only takes a few good sessions before you've completed the game. Still, this is the best pinball game you're going to play for a very long time. Even after one play-through, you'll want to play it over and over to get the highest score you possibly can. That's the charm of pinball, and Metroid Prime Pinball does it perfectly. Check it out if you're a Metroid fan, you might find yourself as addicted as I was.

There happens to be so much going on with the handheld world these days. Nevertheless, the guilty pleasures from the arcades always find a unique way of creeping into some great games, especially from pinball. That has been the case with Nintendo during the past year. For Nintendo's Game Boy Advance, they really hit it big with the success of Mario Pinball Land. It just really brought to life the adventure pinball franchises again. That has also been the case recently with Nintendo's DS system. They had to find a great way to conjure that pinball action again, and it is right here from the brinks of Samus.

Metroid Prime Pinball for the Nintendo DS brings out all the action of the Metroid series, and the uniqueness of pinball. The game offers all sorts of great action with unique different tables that range from traditional, to battle-style matches. The graphics in the game are truly remarkable, and absolutely bring out some of the most remakrable gameplay for a video pinball game ever. The controls for the game also are very simple and easy to operate. While there happens to be little to nothing with the stylus attachment that can be of use here, it doesn't change the fun. The game also makes full use of the Nintendo DS rumble pak, which is also featured as a attachment with the game, by bringing all the action with each motion of the bumpers. While you sometimes lose some motions when you lose sight of the Samus ball, especially for when it turns back into Samus, especially for the boss battle tables. Although it is on some, but not all the tables, it can be a bit of a hinderence.

Nevertheless, many times when it comes to video pinball games, Metroid Prime Pinball for the Nintendo DS is a great buy, and a must have for anyone who is into the need for a classic case of pinball mania. I loved playing this in Toys R' Us, and I can't wait to own it soon. I also hope you do the same thing too.

Graphics: B+

Sound: B

Control: A-

Fun & Enjoyment: A-

Overall: B 1/2+

I bought this game a couple of months after it had been in the stores and I'm glad I waited. I had just gotten over the loss of my Pinball of the Dead game when I saw this in Sears for $17. I thought "hey! it's a pinball game for the DS! And it comes with a Rumble Pack!" and I'm glad that I bought it. This game, just like any other pinball video game needs time to get used to the gameplay. At first, you can barely keep the ball from going through the paddles, but thankfully they have a force field between the paddles ever so often so that you don't loose your ball as easily. This is a great pinball game for anyone, and my only 2 complaints was that the Rumble Pack could've been used a little bit more, and that they should've made it easier for first-time players.

I'm going to try and keep this review short. I think part of what makes this game so fun is how smoothly it integrates the game experience and imagery of Metroid Prime with pinball. The sound on this game is topnotch and is icing on the cake of a very fun pinball experience.

The tables and goals can be rather challenging, which is a good thing. I have yet to open up the other tables for play, but it is already a very enjoyable game. I have a feeling that young players may not be as enthralled playing this game as both screens are taken up with the rather statick pinball tables. However, for slightly older players, and especially those who are pinball fiends, there is a lot of enjoy and a good amount of depth and variation.

As a second or third game to own for the DS, this is a definitely sweet game.

NOTE: This game also comes with a Rumble Pack for the DS. It is inserted in the GBA slot of the DS. It is rather noisy in my experience and doesn't provide the more solid rumble feel of the Gamecube controllers or even the standard GB. However it is a good tactile enhancement for the DS. Chances are it will not be offered in conjunction with other games (probably just offered seperately).

I'm not a big fan of long reviews. You can read about the game and a "professional" review some place else. You've come here because you're looking to buy and wondering what other normal people think. Well, we all knew the DS was going to be an interesting platform when we bought the thing - otherwise we would have gotten PSPs.

That said, there are a handful of games that make the DS really shine - Mario Kart, Mario 64 DS and now Metroid Pinball. The system and the game go so well hand in hand that it's quite an experience. The premise is simple and if you've played any of the Metroid games, will make sense. Samus was made to be a pinball. That's it.

Get this game. It's well worth it.

It doesn't make much use of the touch-screen feature of the DS but the dual-screen fits perfect for the tall nature of a pinball table (though there is annoying unseen space between them).

I've never played any of the other Metroid games but I do know that the main character can turn into a ball. You play that ball in this game (or just control the flippers that move it) and the tables are brilliantly done and are full of wild features. However, there are only 2 main tables, with a couple of extra bonus tables. Which is a bit of a let down since they could have crammed loads of crazy environments on there but we only get 2.

Yes the game is very, very addictive but since it's so short it will only have a limited lifespan. Pick it up cheap.

Graphics A-
Sound B
Gameplay B
Lasting Appeal C

this pinball game is great. it has a lot of fun effects and a worthwhile strategy that'll keep you coming back over and over. Lots of things to do and wonderful little soundtrack.

This is such an awesome game - so addictive -- and I am a 59 year old grandma - my grand kids love it when I show up with my Nintendo DS...

This game was solely responsible for me surviving my last office job as well as I did. Thanks to the DS' easy open-close, play-pause design, it is too easy to sneak in a quick level or table between phone calls or e-mails.

The game rocks the DS well. It has cool graphics that fill the top and bottom screens with table so that you don't have that timing-destructive scrolling issue as with most pinball games. There's a great deal of animation that brings the tables to life and provides a very tactile feel, especially when you have the rumble back in that comes with the game. More than mere gimmick, the pack really does give you just enough buzz to better draw you into the experience.

Sound is awesome, although the repetitive tunes might wear on you. There are quite a few voiceovers which add flavor.

Minigames are abundant, providing a welcome break during extended score-padding sessions. Boss tables are also great for breaking up the monotony. Just like in a good platformer like old-school Metroid, boss battles require some good hand-eye coordination, mastery of your weapons (it's a flipper!) and learning their weak spots and patterns. At first this turned off the pinball grognard in me who wanted a straight game, but the more I played, the more I appreciated some injections of variety.

About the only criticism I could levy would be one that is aimed at every great game: I wish there was more of it. It doesn't take very long to take down every boss and complete the requirements to "beat" the game, although the rewarding experience in doing so is well worth the ride. More tables would be a boon, though.

Also I'll say that the table-bump mechanism of the game being mapped to the touchscreen was a bad idea. It's very natural to work the flippers with the L and R buttons, but having to swing your thumb around to make a quick table-juke is more trouble than it's worth. That said, the game is more than easy enough to complete without ever tickling the tilt sensor.

I would like to see a sequel to this game, but preferably including, inherently or unlockably, the tables from the original.

Definitely one of the better games for the DS that really takes advantage of system's many great features. Highly recommended.

Have you ever wondered if Samus' morph-ball form would give developers some crazy idea? I think this should answer your question unless what you wanted to know was ... never mind. It's not appropriate for this website.

Sure, I like pinball, and yes, I like at Super Metroid and Metroid ZERO Misson. I also like red salsa and ice cream, but I wouldn't pour salsa over my ice cream. Do you see what I'm getting at?

Granted, this game is fun. Why else would I give it four stars? It's got the look and feel of a pinball game, it rumbles with the black GBA-looking cart that comes with it, and you can even tilt the table by touching the screen.

One of the main problems I have with this game is a problem that cannot be helped. Well, it could be helped, but it would reduce the realism of a pinball board. Since Nintendo wanted a long board without having to scroll, the top screen shows the upper half of the board, while the bottom screen shows the lower half. That leaves a small invisible space between the two screens that is there but is never seen. It's not a big problem, but it can sometimes leave you with blind spots when you're trying to aim in shoot mode.
There is another problem with the game that also can't be helped unless you have big hands. Otherwise, learn the value of your pinky fingers for now is when you need them the most. They'll support the bottom of the DS while your index fingers press the shoulder buttons. Or you could just press two of the face buttons, but what fun is that?
My third problem with the game is that I don't like having to deal with attacking enemies while I try to stay on the board. That's what I meant by two good things not really being great together.
This is still a Metroid game, however, and most people wouldn't bother with it if it didn't have the extra spice. I wouldn't change a thing. On the other hand, I wouldn't develope a pinball game with a theme from an action game either.
If TetrisPhere didn't turn you off, neither should this.

Like I said, this is not a bad game. I did buy this game ... sort of. I chose it as the free game at an offer from a store. It's not perfect, but it's good enough to buy, especially with the included rumble pak.