Pinball Hall of Fame the Williams Collection

The variety of games and modes of play keep this interesting. Combined with the Wii's innovative two-handed controller, this as close to a time machine as you can get for $30. I find myself standing up to play this using lots of body english. This only thing holding this back is the Wii's limited resolution blurring the otherwise good 3D effect.
 
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<p>Being a 1980-1990's pinball aficionado, I've played them all in the arcades. Quarter after quarter, replay after replay... I pride myself having spent many hours on pinball for mere dollars. I've spent a good deal of my college years making my entertainment value stretch.</p> <p>However, the main thing lacking in home-versions of pinball games (either on computer platform or gaming consoles) is the "pinball wizard" feeling from merely pushing buttons and watching the balls bounce in uncontrollable patterns.</p> <p>"Pinball Hall of Fame: The Williams Collection" is hands-down an exception to the disappointment I'm used to. Far superior to any pinball simulator I've played, this adaptation is so close to the real thing, it's incredible. The biggest drawback from many home-version pinball games is the upright “flippers-at-your-hands” feeling. Astoundingly, with Pinball HOF, I get the feeling that I’m at a real arcade as I “bump” the machines using my Wii remotes.</p> <p>Equally unbelievable and impressive are the accurate depictions of the graphics and sounds from EACH machine. SVG Distribution did such a fantastic job recreating the Wii version that it’s hard to differentiate the software from the original machine. The older machines (i.e. Jive Time) have that classic relaxed pinball-saloon feel to them; however, the newer machines (i.e. Funhouse, Whirlwind, Taxi) give you the sensation of nudging the ball with your body movements. I don’t know if what I’m trying to say is clear, but to pinball enthusiasts, you’ll know what I mean by moving the ball “not with the flippers, but your body.”</p> <p>The drawback to this title is the limited number of pinball machines to choose from. I would've LOVED to have seen more current machines in this game, but perhaps that's the meaning of Hall of Fame. If SVG were to release another Pinball Hall of Fame (Gottlieb? Stern?), I’d buy it in a heartbeat. Unfortunately, pinball is undergoing a demise in popularity these days. I don’t know why. A pinball wizard could be easily entertained for long periods of time dropping only a few coins. Hmmm… must be today’s economy that’s driving pinball production down.</p> <p>Anyway, I can’t say enough good things about this game. It has been keeping me entertained to the point that I haven’t even played Super Mario Kart yet, a game that I bought the same day as Pinball HOF. Bottom line... fantastic game, great price, excellent entertainment value.</p> <p>That’s my $.02… which will only buy .08 gallons of gas.</p>
 
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This is a great game for the WII. The motion sensor is used to 'bump' the table and works quite well. The graphics and sound are, as much as I can remember, accurate for each respective table. The gameplay is pretty accurate as well since I still have the same problem spots today as I did when I played some of these tables as a kid. The price is good as well considering the number of quarters I originally wasted years ago. I've only played Arcade Mode racking up credits and unlocking table features. The collection of credits and board upgrades give you the same feeling I used to get trying to earn free games in the arcade. There is also a Tournament mode that I haven't tried. There are detailed explanations of each table so you can finally understand all of the scoring options. I've been able to explore these tables in more detail for fewer quarters.
 
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If You Like Pinball You Will Love this Super realistic Game which is Priced right. Once You start Playing You can't Stop. Every Feature of the actual Real Williams Manufactured Machines is Here. Many Options for Arcade sounds, Unlocking Games for Free Play and I Believe 8 Machines to Play. I Highly recommend this Game which is so Much Fun and Can be Played alone or with four Players. If Connected to the Wi Fi You Can see High scores adding your own if You are one of the top Five highest scores. FIVE STARS!!
 
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This game is a sleeper hit. It was released as a budget title with almost no fanfare but is receiving excellent reviews to date (check metacritic.com or gamerankings.com) So you may be asking yourself what makes the game so great. Here's your answer. 1) The physics engine is excellent. The balls and flippers behave as they would in a real pinball. This is the most important part of any video pinball and the developers at FarSight nailed it on this edition. 2) There are 10 'real world' pinballs available to play and with possibly only one exception they are an absolutely great assortment of 80's and 90's solid state pins (Jive Time was not solid state and stands out as different in this collection - some will appreciate it's inclusion for the contrast and some may not.) Seriously, I don't think the developers could have done a much better job licensing an eclectic assortment of classic and fun real world pins from Williams. The pinballs available in this collection from oldest to newest are - Jive Time, Gorgar, Firepower, Black Knight, Sorcerer, Space Shuttle, Pinbot, Taxi, Whirlwind and Funhouse. Simply put these pinballs were all significant successes when they were released back in the day and this collection will show you why. 3) Camera Work in this game is excellent and very customizable. You can choose from 5 different views separately for the plunger view and 5 different angles for gameplay. In gameplay you also have the option of choosing the dynamic camera or a fixed camera that shows the entire table at all times. The dynamic camera is extremely well implemented and I suspect will be most player's preference. It elegantly zooms in when the ball is in the upper playfield and zooms out to full table view when in the lower playfield or multiball. There is no panning around to make you dizzy or slow reaction times that cause you to lose track of the ball as in many other video pinballs. 4) There are some great challenges to be completed on each table. These challenges will help players master the table and learn the rule sets. Speaking of rule sets, players have an option of being walked through a fully narrated slideshow tutorial of the rule sets and scoring for each table in the collection. These are extremely well done and unless you are intimately familiar with the pins here you will probably find yourself going back to them frequently to research how to master certain challenges. Finally, I want to add that this collection is available for 3 systems currently - PS2, PSP & Wii. I HIGHLY recommend going for the Wii version if you have a choice. The use of the Wii's motion controls to bump the table and the spacing created by using the Wii controller and nunchuck really helps add to the realism. Also, the PS2 is missing Sorcerer & Jive Time. If you like pinball this game is a MUST BUY. If you're curious about pinball it's HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.
 
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I Bought this after reading Positive reviews. I wasn't expecting How Great this Game is if You Liked the Good old Classic Pinball machines manufactured by Williams. The Game Makes You feel as if You are Playing the game with the Screen shifting at just the right times. The Detail is Amazing. You Control the Flippers with the wii controller in one hand and the numb chuk in the other along with abiliity to set many options for the many sounds one would hear in the Arcade. Play is so realistic You really start to believe you are playing the real thing. Fortunately the designers made the Tilt feature a little harder to activate so You find yourself moving & shaking with less worry. I Live alone so this is a Perfect One Player game. I warn anyone who Likes Pinball and starts playing with the idea of killing a hour before bed It is very addicting which will cause You to Lose sleep! I LOVE this Game and Ordered another One to send to My brother who also came from the Pinball era Days before Video Games. The Price is Right On and Good Luck Finding it Anywhere else because it is on Backorder and Impossible to find in stores in my area. You won't regret buying this game and it can be played by 4 players so it would be fun if friends Come over.
 
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This is realistic pinball action for video gamers. Really enjoy playing as a family entertainment. Highly recommend.
 
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