The Pinball of the Dead

Game Boy Advance
  • Publisher: THQ
  • Release Date: Jun 16, 2002
Metascore
79

Generally favorable reviews - based on 20 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 15 out of 20
  2. Negative: 0 out of 20
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  1. An excellently designed game, fun enough to take your mind off all the gun-toting soldiers at the airport while you wait for your flight.
  2. Electronic Gaming Monthly
    67
    Despite my small gripes, Dead is stsill a must-have in any to-go gamer's pocket. [July 2002, p.126]
  3. 80
    Subtle touches such as the clips from HotD2, voice acting, and mimicked designs of the series' various settings make PotD a fitting homage to the series.
  4. Game Informer
    90
    It may not be the deepest game or the best video pinball title of all time, but it is a fantastic cart, and one that you will come back to again and again for as long as you own your Game Boy Advance. [July 2002, p.92]
  5. What Dead makes up in return is a good dose of ironic humor, irresistible charm and exuberant swagger, which are all the more strengthened if you've played "House of the Dead" before.
  6. For fans of pinball or the walking dead, the game is a must-have.
  7. 80
    There are just so many features and things to unlock, you'll be playing this one for a long long time – it's almost too difficult.
  8. 90
    This is the best instance of video game flipper mashing since "Pokémon Pinball" on the GBC.
  9. One of those games that will last a while and provide the same thrill a year from now as it does today.
  10. A fine-looking, great-sounding, fun-filled game.
  11. Although House of the Dead has been done before, and Pinball has been done before, SEGA and THQ did a great job of mixing the two together and making a fun and unique title with plenty of challenge and replayability.
  12. Console pinball is really not where it's at, but in this portable fashion, it is probably about as good as you can get.
  13. 80
    The game's table design aren't exactly simulating real pinball either...it's the continuous action, learning the specific places to shoot that makes Pinball of the Dead a solid GBA title.
  14. Nintendo Power
    80
    Frighteningly fun. [July 2002, p.149]
  15. More tables would have been nice, though the boss stages and unlockable areas mitigate this.
  16. It combines great visuals, good sound effects and good overall music, and is solid as a pinball game.
  17. 70
    A devilishly addictive and polished little pinball game that delivers in (grave diggers') spades.
  18. Pocket Games
    65
    The physics in the game are a tad off. [Spring 2002, p.38]
  19. If you want to relive the good old days of the pinball era, try tracking down a copy of this game. And if you're itching to smack around a few more zombies, look no further than Pinball of the Dead.
  20. 90
    Inventive table design, challenging play, and the incorporation of George Romero-style dialogue from the original series, combine to make it hard to put this one down.

Awards & Rankings

27
75
#75 Most Discussed Game Boy Advance Game of 2002
User Score
7.3

Mixed or average reviews- based on 6 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 4 out of 6
  2. Negative: 1 out of 6
  1. JesseS.
    Jun 10, 2005
    10
    You had me at zombies and pinball....