ZEN Pinball

 PlayStation 3
User Score
7.8

Generally favorable reviews- based on 30 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 23 out of 30
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 30
  3. Negative: 5 out of 30

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  1. 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 beat playing pinball in real life, nor is it very deep.
  2. Caper
    Jan 25, 2010
    9
    Not sure what pedro meant by underwhelming. If you are doing is banging the ball around, then yeah, any PB game would be boring. There are many things to figure out and it takes weeks to get good and months to master all the tables. I have a good forum detailing all the missions and such, located at zenpinball.forumotion.net if anyone wants to learn the intricacies of this great game.
  3. 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 can't miss.
  4. 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 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 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
  5. 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 we'd have to buy a full-priced game disc just for a great pinball game!
  6. 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, 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 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
  7. 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 with new tables that are available to purchase on the ps3 store from time to time at a very low price.
  8. 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 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 withHigh-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
  9. tsakiym
    May 12, 2015
    6
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. I do not have to say anything more. But i need to write one hundred and fifty characters. i think my score can describe it............................… Expand

Awards & Rankings

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

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
80

Generally favorable reviews - based on 19 Critic Reviews

Critic 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.
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  2. IGN
    81
    The menus are slick, the tables are inventive, and there are fun extras like slow motion available.
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  3. PlayStation Universe
    85
    ZEN Pinball is one of the PlayStation Network's best releases this year.
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