Pinball FX

Over The Moon With Our Stellar Pinball Moon Shot Supernova Edition

December 13, 2024 By ausretrogamer

Stellar Pinball Moon Shot Supernova Edition: A Miniature Masterpiece for Nintendo Switch Enthusiasts

To think we were super impressed with Far East’s Digital Pinball Cabinet and SakuraRetroModding’s PinSwitch, which are both darn cool, however Stellar Pinball’s Moon Shot mini-pinball machines for the Nintendo Switch OLED console are on another level, which have totally blown our minds to smithereens! These are an absolute masterpiece – yep, and we stand by that!

Even though you can only pre-order these amazing creations within the USA (Ed: we were lucky to have friends in the US that shipped this out to us), Stellar Pinball is looking into international shipping, which we hope happens in the near future, as more folks need to experience these miniature beauties!

Pre-orders sell out quite quickly (for good reason), so get on the list!

Of course we were going to opt for the top-of-the-line Stellar Pinball Moon Shot Supernova Edition, as we like our little mini-pinball machines to have all the bells and whistles. Honestly, this is an absolute gem for pinball enthusiasts and Nintendo Switch OLED owners. This 1/5th scale replica combines the charm of classic pinball with modern gaming technology, making it both a collectible and a functional marvel.

Attention to Detail

From its mind-blowing packaging, which looks identical to a real NIB (New In Box) pinball machine, to its illuminated cabinet and backglass, its high-quality vinyl cabinet graphics protected by a matte laminate, the Moon Shot Supernova is a showcase of craftsmanship. Handmade in the U.S., it boasts meticulous assembly, ensuring precision and durability. Every aspect, from the coin return buttons to the long-lasting LED lighting powered by AA batteries, highlights an exceptional dedication to detail.

The packaging is just as impressive as the actual product!

With 4 x AA batteries, the; start & extra ball buttons, coin-slots, backbox and playfield light up.

Engaging Mechanics

What truly sets this machine apart is its interactive functionality. The working flipper buttons, plunger, and nudge bar integrate seamlessly with the Nintendo Switch Joy-Con controllers, delivering a tactile and immersive experience. Designed with the Switch OLED in mind, it accommodates both active gameplay and passive display modes. It’s compatible with top-tier pinball games like Pinball FX, Pinball FX3 and Star Wars Pinball, to name just a few, which maximise its features.

A Treat for Gamers

The Moon Shot Supernova’s compact size makes it ideal for enthusiasts who love pinball but might not have the space for a full-sized machine. Its visual appeal is matched by its gameplay mechanics, creating an unforgettable hybrid experience that bridges the gap between nostalgia and modern gaming.

In short, this pinball machine isn’t just a novelty—it’s a testament to what happens when retro design meets cutting-edge tech. Whether you’re chasing high scores or simply admiring its artistry, the Moon Shot Supernova Edition is worth every cent for fans of pinball and Nintendo Switch gaming. Get on the pre-order list ASAP, as these sell-out quite quickly (for good reason)!

The attention to detail, including the packaging and contents is superb!

Just like a real pinball machine, but at 1/5th scale

Every little detail has been carefully thought out on the Moon Shot!

Ritchie and Alex Kinmont (and Associates) should be applauded for this creation

Small Machine, Big Fun indeed!

On it’s legs

Under the hood! The Joy-Cons go into the caddy and you are set!

This Stellar Pinball is a work of art!

The light-up start, extra ball buttons and coin-slots look pretty darn good!

AtGames & Zen Studios Present: The Addams Family Virtual Pinball Machine

September 19, 2023 By ausretrogamer

The Addams Family pinball machine still holds the record as the biggest selling pinball machine of all time. There is a reason for this feat, the machine is much loved, as it is so much darn fun to play, with mechs that make you go wow, to multi-balls that can make your head spin. The Addams Family pinball machine is the epitome of a fun game!

Why are we talking about a 30 year old pinball machine? Well, AtGames is now collaborating with Zen Studios to bring you The Addams Family pinball machine, packed with 15 other pinball tables and of course, the amazing The Addams Family, all in glorious digital format.

Not much more news than that, but from what we can see on the AtGames site, the machine has a reasonable spec (see specification image further below), which we are happy to see that it includes built in solenoids and speakers for haptic feedback, making the pinball realism as close as possible to the real thing. The machine can also be expanded with 140+ Legends 4K pinball tables via AtGames’ PinballNet subscription service (Ed: D’oh!) which sounds pretty cool, even though it means an additional cost for the subscription (your mileage may vary).

Pre-orders will be staggered across a number of waves, opening the first (early bird) pre-order stage on 22nd of September (US time), however, there is no mention if these will be officially available in Australia – c’mon AtGames, don’t let us down!

image source: AtGames

Pinball FX: Resistance Is Futile

August 29, 2023 By ausretrogamer

We love pinball games, both in the real and digital worlds!

Zen Studios’ new Pinball FX is going from strength to strength, with the awesome Williams pinball machine, Star Trek: The Next Generation and the Marvel Pinball Collection 1 hitting the platform in the last week.

Seeing Steve Ritchie’s amazing Star Trek TNG machine being available in Pinball FX brought a huge smile on our dial – with this digital recreation playing just as well as the real thing, welllll, almost 😉

Joining Captain Jean-Luc Picard on the U.S.S. Enterprise-D and fighting against Romulans, Cardassians, and the Borg while listening to the original music and voices from the series is every Trekkie’s (and pinball fan’s) dream!

As for the Marvel Pinball Collection 1, we are still playing through the 11 tables, and we must say, they’ve all been a blast to play so far! We particularly loved Moon Knight. The tables are quite addictive to play, hence why it is taking us longer to go through each one – this is a great problem to have.

If you like your pinball served digitally, then grab these new tables as soon as you can – go on, make it so Number 1!

Zen Studios’ Pinball FX now on Xbox and PlayStation

February 17, 2023 By ausretrogamer

Being in a future timezone, we in Australia had to wait a few extra hours for Zen Studios’ Pinball FX to hit Xbox and PlayStation consoles!

The latest in the FX series, Pinball FX has graduated from early access to full release at the Epic Games store, as well as making its debut on PlayStation 4 & 5, Xbox Series X|S and Xbox One! Nintendo Switch fans will have to wait a bit longer.

This is a new era of digital pinball from Zen Studios, including a day-one, ever-expanding lineup of 86 tables, plus an impressive suite of new features, the revolutionary pinball platform is inching ever closer to the real silverball game. If you love playing pinball video games, then jump on this right now and enjoy the Wild West Rampage table at no cost, and check out the trial modes for all other tables.

All returning tables from previous editions have been fully remastered in Unreal Engine, with ray-tracing-enhanced, 4K-HDR visuals, as well as upgraded Pro Physics. Not lacking plentiful fresh downloadable content, Pinball FX also introduces three brand new releases: Borderlands®: Vault Hunter Pinball, Brothers in Arms®: Win the War Pinball and The Addams Family (itself including a never-before-seen enhanced play, as with all Williams classics). At the same time, console players can get their hands on more than 15 tables for the first time that Pinball FX Early Access players enjoyed in 2022, such as Star Wars Pinball: The Mandalorian, World War Z Pinball, DreamWorks Pinball, five Zen Originals, plus Williams classics World Cup Soccer and The Machine: Bride of Pin-Bot. Zen will release new tables regularly, many involving exciting new licensed IPs – most immediately, Legendary Pictures’ Godzilla vs. Kong.

Go on, get flippin’ peeps!

source: Zen Studios

Get Your Flippin Fix via Pinball FX3 on the Switch

February 4, 2018 By ausretrogamer

We have been playing pinball video games for over 3 decades and we still get a kick out of playing them. From Video Pinball on the 2600 to the awesome 21st Century Entertainment published pinball games (Pinball Dreams, Pinball Fantasies and Pinball Illusions) on the Amiga, this genre and its talented designers keep upping the ante on the realism. Granted, you can never replicate the real deal, but you can get close, very close!

With Zen Studios’ latest release on the Switch, Pinball FX3 (PinFX3), you get awesome realistic pinball gaming that can be played on your TV or in handheld mode. But wait, it gets better – the killer feature of PinFX3 on the Switch is that it can be vertically oriented to get the best vantage of the pinball machine being played. Unlike Pinball Arcade’s Stern Pinball, Zen Studios ensured that their game would take advantage of the Switch’s flexibility in screen orientation, thus making it the pinball game of choice to play on Nintendo’s premier console.

Horizontal vs Vertical!

There will be future tweaks to bring Pinball FX3 up to 60fps (it’s actually already quite quick, especially in handheld mode), things can only get better to what is already a solid package. With great licensed themes that are very reasonably priced (you can buy tables individually or in packs), it is a win win for the gamer craving their pinball fix.

So, how does the game play you ask? Well, again, the Switch is the perfect platform for a pinball game – shoulder buttons act as flippers, which are very responsive without any notable lag (in handheld mode). The ball physics are as close to mimicking real life pinball as you can get, and that is a good thing! The table design/layouts and the variations are so good, that we hope Zen Studios end up making some of these as real world machines!

Wishful thinking aside, each table is packed with modes and challenges to level up and customise your machine. This ensures that PinFX3’s replay value and longevity is guaranteed. Oh yeah, for those that love online play, you are in luck, PinFX3’s online features are awesome for some multiplayer pinball frenzy allowing you to get on high score leaderboards and participating in tournaments.

If you are into pinball, then we implore you to hit the eShop right now and download Pinball FX3. For those that want to try before they buy, you can download Pinball FX3 for free and try it out before you make decisions on purchasing additional themed pinball tables. Grab your Switch and get flippin!