“Chalk and cheese” is a phrase usually used when comparing two objects of juxtaposing qualities. Such a phrase could be applied to the titles “Metroid Prime” and “pinball”, so it's quite a compliment to developers “Fuse Games” that it merged these two contrasting entities into an enjoyable DS game.
Metroid Prime Pinball is a neat little game that takes many of the landscapes from Metroid Prime on GameCube and shapes them into manageable and attractive pinball tables with none of the original character lost. As pinball tables these levels play exceedingly well, mainly due to some excellent physics programming: the ball responds exactly as you would expect it to as it bounces between various objects on the table.
Being a Metroid game the ball is Samus Aran in Morph Ball mode, a touch similar to Sonic Spinball where you played as Sonic in his spin attack form. You control the flippers with the L and R triggers and the action takes place over the two screens, and while it can be a little nauseating at first watching the action pass between the top and bottom screens, it becomes easier the longer you spend with the game.
Included in the title are several main playing modes: multimission, single mission and multiplayer. The multiplayer mode is a simple high-score battle between eight players which is fairly fun and can be enjoyed with just one cartridge thanks to the DS console's Download Play functionality.
Multi-mission is the main mode of play where you will come across various challenges as you rack up scores and travel to new environments. These can then be used in the Single Mission which is essentially a high-score challenge on a single table.
Graphically Metroid Prime Pinball is excellent, somewhat surprising considering the obvious limitations of a pinball title. It’s the little touches that make this game so appealing, such as the rainstorm that randomly occurs on the Tallon Overworld table, reminiscent of the original Metroid Prime. It has a certain nostalgic charm that probably makes this game essential for the fans of the series, though it's accessible for everyone nonetheless.
It wouldn't be a Metroid game without some huge bosses but don’t worry, Fuse Games has packed in most of your favourites including Meta Ridley. Beating these enemies is a pretty simple case of hitting them hard and consistently with the ball, but in Multimission mode there are times when Samus will stand up and fire at her enemies with her plasma rifle, adding an extra dimension to the game and some much needed variation to a genre that could be considered monotonous.
The main annoying niggle with Metroid Prime Pinball is that there is no real tilt button; instead you bump the table by dragging your thumb across the touch screen. While this works to spare you when your ball is heading toward the gutter, it’s tricky to get used to and a considerable distance for your thumb to travel. You become accustomed to it, but use of the D-Pad for tilt would have perhaps been a better option.
Packaged with Metroid Prime Pinball is a neat little rumble pack that fits in the Game Boy Advance cartridge slot. Unfortunately it pokes out a little of the DS Lite which doesn’t look entirely neat but it gives a pretty decent feedback considering its size, and of course doesn't work on the DSi, DSi XL or 3DS consoles. While it’s not an entirely noticeable rumble – more a subtle vibration – it works perfectly for the type of game in question and adds a little something to the experience.
Conclusion
Metroid Prime Pinball was never going to be a groundbreaking game due to the confinements of its genre, and it can get repetitive with essentially not much to offer but hitting a ball with a couple of flippers. However if you are of the “old-school” gaming mentality whereby beating your personal best scores is the main factor of replay value, you will get more than your money's worth out of this game.
Comments 12
Pinball games do tend to be repetitive anyway. People who buy this game ought to understand that it isn't goign to be a long quest game and the game play is a little repetitive by looking at the title alone. I don't own this, but I have played it. I would personally give it an 8/10 as it does a lot of interesting, challengeing and fun things with pinball and with metroid
I don't regret purchasing this game one bit, the only thing I regret is having purchased a rumble pack separately a bit before getting this game. A great review, but personally, I'd give it an 8 as well. If my 'R' trigger wasn't buggy I'd go back and play it a bit...
I might give this game a 9/10... sure, there's only a few tables, but this is one of the most immediately addicting and replayable games I've ever played. The disappointment from discovering the lack of extra tables did not last long. As soon as you get your head around all the mechanics and start trying to beat your last high score, you'll be hooked! It doesn't get old; you can play the same table for an hour straight and it will continue to be exciting and thoroughly satisfying as ever. The Metroid license brings along a number of gameplay ideas which you'll never find in another pinball game, and they all work remarkably well. And to top it all off, the audio-visual experience is absolutely top notch. This is among the most finely crafted pinball games ever, and is a SORELY under-appreciated title on the DS. I bought my copy years ago brand new for $10 from a bin piled full of unwanted copies at Toys R Us. You can easily find this game for dirt cheap on eBay, and it is ABSOLUTELY worth anyone's time!
I love this game. it doesn't hurt that I got it for only $7 either
I´m having my doubts. I already have Pinball Pulse: The Ancient Beckon for DSiWare. But it still looks like a great game. I think I'll ask it for Christmas
I'm thinkin after i buy my 3ds i'll get this if i have any cash left over. i can live without rumble.
good rating this is basiclly just pinball with samus in morph ball instead of the traditional ball
For all the "cart only" auctions on ebay: have all the rumble paks been parted out, or just lost?
It's a great pinball game! Also, first Like!!!
It still holds up nicely.
This is a solid 10/10!!!!!!
I'm deeply sad and disappointed for this game to be exist, I don't even want to play it at all until today! Such a waste they did on the best handheld gaming concept ever in the world, but only got pinball game of this series, I really hate it so, even hell not hotter than my hate for this.
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