Though we need to wait for Pinball FX3 to arrive on Switch in December, having originally been expected on 14th November, it should hopefully be worth the extra development time.
Zen Studios outlined one reason for the short delay back in mid-November, stating that it had implemented a smart new way to ensure the system is well balanced in its 'vertical' setup. Basically, the game has been programmed to output the HD Rumble through just one Joy-Con, so by sliding the other off that ensures there's better weight distribution and balance when holding the portable vertically.
It was apparently an idea from a Nintendo employee, and you can see it in action below (as the previous Twitch live stream has now been posted to YouTube).
It looks like a neat feature, and with release due in December we'll get to try it out soon.
Comments 29
Hoping it's big enough to be enjoyable. My eye's aren't as good as they use to be so size will make a difference.
I'll wait for this game to be a free My Nintendo reward in a year or two.
I hope you can buy a full pack with all tables instead of having to buy one at a time.
Also I don't want to play with just one controller, I want to use the shoulder buttons on each detached from the switch which is in the vertical position on my desk at work
Game is free with one table, and you pay for tables. That's their monetization model, and, I don't think it will change any time soon.
In vertical mode, I'm quite sure you play with touch controls.
Looking forward to having this on the go. I have the PS4 version and the Universal Studios tables are really good. This has long been a series of great tables and physics, and F/X 3 continues that trend.
@Spoony_Tech Sure you'll be fine - your scores on the 3DS version were insane!
That's what they should do on Smartphone, a tiny controller attached to the bottom of the phone.
Long video..,. But intrigued.
I'm interested but I'm not big fan of buying tables separately. I never bought tables for Zen Pinball on Wii U, I just quickly tried it out when it came out, but I have the 3DS version thanks to My Nintendo. I like pinball games but haven't played them much lately. I really like Nintendo's pinball games too. I'll spend money as soon as they get permission to make Pokémon Pinball or Super Mario Ball tables.
I might give Zen another shot once this releases. While I haven't enjoyed their games all that much before, I also haven't tried any of their newer stuff. Plus, the Switch is just too perfect for pinball, and I'm getting tired of waiting for Farsight to bring The Pinball Arcade to Switch.
I want the Plants VS Zombies table. That was super cool.
Playing Switch games in vertical rotation makes me pine for Downwell on the system!
@JHDK Pinball FX3 will be free to download from launch!
@Bunkerneath I was thinking the exact same thing! Just like with Namco Museum.
I wish I could buy a physical version that included all the tables. I'd pay premium price for it too.
I'd buy a physical release. But right now... Meh.
I don't know how I feel about Zen Studios after purchasing Infinite Minigolf on the eShop. The game looks great, but....
I love Zen Pinball and will be double dipping on a few tables. They seem to be planning a holiday sale on other platforms tough. How many tables I buy will depend on how quickly a sale comes to Switch.
Not a chance I'll be holding my Switch like that, even with a Nintendo employees approval. The Joy-con loosen over time just from taking them on and off so playing long sessions of vertical pinball with one attached is just asking for trouble.
Those saying they would rather buy all the tables in one go don't seem to get that Pinball FX is more of its own platform. Each set of tables is essentially its own game, with Zen developing and releasing a few sets each year. Wouldn't make financial sense for them to have a "buy all" option as they wouldn't get paid when new tables are released, or if they charged for those people would be mad that they weren't free.
@McGruber When it comes to pinball games these guys have got it mastered. Really top quality tables and ball physics. The free table, Sorcerers Lair that comes with the download is superb, so you'll get the chance to see for yourself before spending anything. Sorcerers Lair, Epic Quest and Empire Strikes Back are my favourites.
That’s actually how I play Strikers 1945 with just one joycon attached like a game boy (just don’t lock it in). And that’s the best way for me to play portrait mode games. If Zerodiv support it officially even better
@OorWullie Tell them to stick to pinball! lol I want my money back.
@JHDK you don’t have to wait long, it’s a free to play game.
The dlc isn’t overpriced either if you just buy the tables you’re interested in (unlike what I do and buy everything available on all platforms you own)
@darkswabber I was kinda making a dumb joke but that news worries me more. Free to play games on the Switch could very well open the door to an avalanche of shovelware. Take a look at any mobile store, there is seemingly an endless number of awful free to play games bogging them down.
@JHDK I get what you’re getting at, but in this case I wouldn’t be worried. While pinball FX3 and it’s predecessors have mobile ports it still is a high quality game and its busines model isn’t like mobile games but rather simple dlc.
This game also benefits of being free to play.
Also if any upcoming mobile game ports for the switch are like most of the mobile ports we got I think they definitely have a place on switch. Most of them have done a great job remaking, remastering and rebalancing the games for switch to a point you can’t even guess it’s a mobile port if you wouldn’t already know.
Admittedly, I think the post launch support will be better on Switch than Wii U due to it being well received, but I still remember feeling pretty burned when certain tables skipped the Wii U version. After purchasing almost all of the tables and following Zen Pinball 2 since launch it felt a little like a wasted investment. I think I might wait first to see if Switch gets skipped on content before committing.
@JHDK It's not "free to play' in the way you're thinking. The initial download contains 1 free table, Sorcerers Lair that you can play as many times and for however long as you want and for the rest of the tables, you get to try them out for a few minutes to see if you like them. If so, then you can purchase them individually or some are offered as packs. I think the most expensive tables are £2.99, while packs of 3 are around £7 or £8. It worked the same way on Wii U and I think 3DS.
For the kind of game it is, I think it's a great system. The free table alone,which is absolutely stellar btw, I must have put well over 50 hours into. Now with the Switch adding vertical mode and HD Rumble to the experience, I'll easily do that again. Then there is the 30+ other tables on offer. It's a crazy good game if you like score chasing.
I cannot wait! Man, I hope they figure out a way to import tables from the Wii U. I've spent an awful lot of money on tables that I'd love to play exclusively on the Switch.
Ok, I've actually turned my 50" LED TV on it's side, playing Pinball FX2, and it's freaking awesome! I can imagine that the Switch and it's versatility really goes well with PinballFX.
Oooh, a Metroid table would be super-fantastic! Metroid Prime Pinball was the game I played the most on my DS. I think the developer that made that game also made the 'Pro Pinball' series. Those guys also make great video pinball. But if Zen Studios can carry that baton, I wouldn't go against it. Their pinball games are TOP NOTCH!
I can understand the hostility towards the 'free-to-play' deal. But with this game, it's different. You should consider that each table is a full game. You could spend many hours on just one. Each table has many various missions and can be very overwhelming. The programming and work that they do on just one table is well worth the price you pay for it.
If you like pinball, at least try the free table! Sorcerer's Lair is a very awesome table and also my personal favorite.
I absolutely love Zen's pinball tables. I hope they release actual tables someday, I'm a huge pinball fan
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