ZEN Pinball

 PlayStation 3
ZEN Pinball Image
Metascore
80

Generally favorable reviews - based on 19 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
7.8

Generally favorable reviews- based on 30 Ratings

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  • Summary: [Playstation Network] ZEN Pinball delivers a variety of in-game missions, head-to-head online multi-player bouts and multi-day worldwide tournaments. In addition to the regular All-Time and Weekly scoreboards, ZEN Pinball features Score Speed, Best One Minute, and Multi-player Ranking[Playstation Network] ZEN Pinball delivers a variety of in-game missions, head-to-head online multi-player bouts and multi-day worldwide tournaments. In addition to the regular All-Time and Weekly scoreboards, ZEN Pinball features Score Speed, Best One Minute, and Multi-player Ranking scoreboards, letting players test their mettle against pinball players from all over the world! [ZEN Studios]… Expand

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ZEN Pinball: Sorcerer's Lair Trailer

Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 14 out of 19
  2. Mixed: 5 out of 19
  3. Negative: 0 out of 19
  1. Gaming Age
    91
    This is absolutely worth picking up for PS3 owners, and one of the better video pinball games I've ever played.
  2. Game Chronicles
    88
    The menus are slick, the tables are colorful and cool, and the presentation is fun and flashy.
  3. PlayStation Universe
    85
    ZEN Pinball is one of the PlayStation Network's best releases this year.
  4. IGN
    81
    The menus are slick, the tables are inventive, and there are fun extras like slow motion available.
  5. TheSixthAxis
    80
    It is just possible that everything is falling into place at the right time for this title. An affordable, massively fun and entertaining take on an old classic done with real class and prowess. This might just be the beginning of another golden age of pinball.
  6. GameZone
    77
    Thankfully, an intense multiplayer mode saved this game and will have pinballers everywhere trying to find that score of 1 billion.
  7. Thunderbolt
    50
    For any PS3 owners craving a game of pinball on the system, this is currently the best (and only) choice, that is if the much older but more dependable likes of Pinball Illusions don’t appeal.

See all 19 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

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Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 7 out of 9
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 9
  3. Negative: 1 out of 9
  1. JohnL.
    Jun 30, 2009
    10
    People expecting a video pinball are probably not going to like this game. I actually own a few 90's era pinball machines, and ZP is People expecting a video pinball are probably not going to like this game. I actually own a few 90's era pinball machines, and ZP is about as close as it can get. I'd be very surprised if the people designing the tables for Zen studios are not pinball design veterans. Aside from a very few effects (mainly on the Tesla table) all the tables so far could easily be made into real pins, and a lot of care seems to have been taken to make the game feel that way. Anyone who expects a gameplay experience "deeper" than a normal machine is asking too much of this game; however, I do seem to find the ZP tables to be somewhat harder to complete than real pins. I'm pretty sure I will never see the silver trophy on Tesla, for instance. For those who have never really played real pins you have to realize that it takes a little bit to get a feel for what's going on. It's not about just keeping the ball in play -- there are objectives and game progression on each table that take a bit to figure out. If you spend all of your time randomly hitting the ball around, you're not going to have much fun.… Expand
  2. Reet
    May 22, 2009
    9
    Best Pinball or Greatest Pinball? Zen Pinball! This game has me hooked. It's the closest thing yet to actually owning a pinball machine, Best Pinball or Greatest Pinball? Zen Pinball! This game has me hooked. It's the closest thing yet to actually owning a pinball machine, and with some nice capabilities that real pinball machines don't have. It's a great combination of real-world an video-world elements. Tables are very detailed, unique, and complex. However, there are only 4 of them. There are promises of extra tables being offered through the PSN, but with the sillyness that is the PSN these days, I would expect extra tables to cost at least $5 each. Game includes great multiplayer capabilities, including online point races and full blown tournaments that happen from time to time for a period of time. Complaints: 1. Table nudging would seem to be a great place to take advantage of the sixaxis motion sensor thing, but instead we are forced to use the analog stick. 2. Sixaxis motion sensor thing is used to move the camera around to view the table before playing. This would seem to me to be a great place to use an analog stick. Use of the sixaxis here is pointless and awkward.… Expand
  4. JRay
    May 23, 2009
    9
    Well worth the money, ZP is a fun diversion with plenty of challenges (and trophies) and nuances to master. Finally gone are the days Well worth the money, ZP is a fun diversion with plenty of challenges (and trophies) and nuances to master. Finally gone are the days we'd have to buy a full-priced game disc just for a great pinball game!… Expand
  5. tom1980uk
    Nov 1, 2010
    9
    I think this is the most realistic pinball game i have ever owned, and is always a great game to come back to once in a while, especially withI think this is the most realistic pinball game i have ever owned, and is always a great game to come back to once in a while, especially with new tables that are available to purchase on the ps3 store from time to time at a very low price.… Expand
  6. OrdinaryGamer
    Nov 21, 2011
    9
    High-quality pinball game. I always like pinballs, being an older geezer and that - and this one doesn't disappoint. Clear, crisp graphicsHigh-quality pinball game. I always like pinballs, being an older geezer and that - and this one doesn't disappoint. Clear, crisp graphics with solid (if a bit floaty) physics combine to make a very respectable single-player game. Adding in the online integration (point-races and leaderboards) and you have a very good game indeed! With loads of DLC tables available, all pinball fans with PS3s should pick this one up (if they haven't already)… Expand
  7. HumphreyV.
    Jun 1, 2009
    8
    I love this game, nice to play something besides your regular shooters. Ideal for a quick play and relaxation. Especially for 8 euros, you I love this game, nice to play something besides your regular shooters. Ideal for a quick play and relaxation. Especially for 8 euros, you can't miss.… Expand
  8. pedrom
    May 19, 2009
    4
    Boring and underwhelming. i agree with GameFocus's review of this game for the most part. While the graphics are nice, it doesn't Boring and underwhelming. i agree with GameFocus's review of this game for the most part. While the graphics are nice, it doesn't beat playing pinball in real life, nor is it very deep.… Expand

See all 9 User Reviews

Trailers

Awards & Rankings

54
#54 Best PS3 Game of 2009
81
#81 Most Discussed PS3 Game of 2009