Williams Pinball Collection - Now THIS Is Art.

Pinball Hall of Fame - The Williams Collection, is the exact kind of title that I was talking about earlier this week when I talked about small games that get to come to the Wii because of development costs being so cheap.

While people are saying that other Wii titles are art many are missing out on the TRUE art that's been released lately in the Williams Collection.

Every single table is recreated exactly. The visuals are spectacular and recreate every single detail from the tables down to the very last bumper. Everything is exactly to scale right down to the varied brightness of the lights on the table.

It's not only the visuals that are spot on with these tables but the physics also. Ball movement is the best ever in the history of video games. Balls have weight and rotation and react to the environment perfectly with some of the best collision detection this generation. It's so realistic that in games like Taxi one ramp is faster then the other ramp moving exactly at the same speed as the real table.

Another way realism pops up is that some tables you're going to get the ball stuck just like they get stuck in the real ones. That's ok though, just hit pause and select "call an attendant" and you'll be able to restart with that ball.

The controls are wonderful. You use the Wiimote and nunchuck with the B trigger working the right flipper and the Z button on the nunchuck for left flipper. The thumbstick pulls the plunger and to shake the table left shake the nunchuck and to shake it right shake the Wiimote.

Sounds are terrific too. It's got cheesy rock music when you're in the arcade setting but once you're playing the pinball machines each sound is exactly matched to the real thing. That means Pinbot's distinctive voice will let you know when you give him his eyes and Funhouse is going to freak you out just as much as it did back in the day.

It's rare that you find a game made with this much love for the content. You can tell that the makers of this game had a true passion for the subject material and wanted to do an exemplary job in every single area. This is a game that's not only one of the best video games you can own this generation but one game where you say "they GOT it". There are no missed chances, there's no cash it, there's just an amazing amount of care throughout the entire game.

The game is 29.99 (US) and there's ten tables in the game. That means each table is 3 dollars and for this amount of quality it's a bargain.

This is a title that was released under the radar and was never meant to be a hit, I'm just glad that Wii owners have a chance to play it.

The problem with this game is that Pinball is so several gens ago, like the Shoot Em' Ups.

the duplication of something cannot be classed as a work of art, now the precision in doing it (ie. the act of copying it could be an artform) but the product itself is merely a copy. If something is copied then the original must be a work of art for the copy to be classed as anything near art.

like van gogh's stary night is a work of art, the copy on my wall... isn't.

and physics in pinball duplications makes SOOOOOOOO little differance because most of them are pretty accurate already, it don't matter

and physics in pinball duplications makes SOOOOOOOO little differance because most of them are pretty accurate already, it don't matter

monty_4256

You haven't followed pinball games on consoles I guess.

The problem with this game is that Pinball is so several gens ago, like the Shoot Em' Ups. wiifan001

No, that's the appealing thing about it. Wii gamers aren't just 16-30 year old males. If my dad, who's in his fifties, had enough time to play the Wii, he'd buy one in a heartbeat. And there's a very good chance that I would buy this pinball game for him. He grew up with this stuff. It's the same reason that the VC is so appealing to people my age (20s) - we grew up with the cIassic consoles.

[QUOTE="wiifan001"]The problem with this game is that Pinball is so several gens ago, like the Shoot Em' Ups. JordanElek

No, that's the appealing thing about it. Wii gamers aren't just 16-30 year old males. If my dad, who's in his fifties, had enough time to play the Wii, he'd buy one in a heartbeat. And there's a very good chance that I would buy this pinball game for him. He grew up with this stuff. It's the same reason that the VC is so appealing to people my age (20s) - we grew up with the cIassic consoles.

Good point

I just see them as different then video games.

It's like cars and motorcycles

Pinball has evolved just as video games have. In the early days there were very basic tables like Jive Time and they kept on upgrading the tables with fun things that added dimensions to the gameplay. It went from trying to get a high score to completing objectives to get the high score, it took a whole new form as it grew.

I remember going to arcades and while the main draw was the video games there was always a few quarters that found the pinball table's coin slots. There was always something like Whirlwind that had so much going on you wanted to play it just to activate everything in the game

Jordan I can't tell you how much I recommend this game to anyone who has even a passing fancy to pinball.

This does sound like a fun game. I think it would be great to play with my friends.

Does it keep track of High Scores and let players enter their names?

This does sound like a fun game. I think it would be great to play with my friends.

Does it keep track of High Scores and let players enter their names?

ebaybenjidogg

Yes it does keep score, the top 5 players for each table.

You don't enter the name though, it's all old school so it's only initials.

There's a few different ways to play the game. You have single table play where some are unlocked to start with and others you have to use tokens, by clearing certain objectives for the tables you gain more tokens and eventually the ability to unlock the table. There's a Williams Challenge where you have to play on each table and score a certain score or higher before you can advance to the next table. You get three chances on each table before the game is over.

Then there's tournament mode which sounds like what you'd be interested in, I haven't checked that out yet.

I just want to touch again on the physics because this is the first time that console pinball doesn't make you infuriated when a ball rolls cheaply to it's demise. Most times when you play pinball on a console and the ball takes the cheap way out of play it's drives you mad because you're so ticked that there was no reason for it to move that way. With this game everything is polished such to a degree that when you lose a ball, sure you're gonna be mad but in your head you're thinking "that makes sense"

I've unfortunatly not seen it here in ottawa; but i'll end up getting it sometime.

This is why i love the wii so much, it has some great offerings that are really unique or fresh; really niche. Great description though, makes me want to get it sooner rather then later.

[QUOTE="Mike1978Smith"]especially if it's done so well for only 30 bucks.Sancroff

If you can find a copy at Target, it's only $20. It is not in the locked Wii game cabinet. Look in the bargain video game rack on the end cap at the back of the video game aisle. In my store it's at the very bottom of the rack (at foot level).

Thank you for bringing up this game Jaysonguy, nice review as well. I will be buying it soon, at Target for $20 hopefully ;)

[QUOTE="CheeChee_Macko"]Amazon.com has this game for $19.99 right now.Sancroff

I just checked Amazon and the Wii version is $30 (US$). Are you sure you aren't looking at the PSP version? The PSP version is $20.

It was on sale during the day probably

Also you have to wait 2 weeks to a month for them to get more in stock.

um who gives a crap about pinball?

If I want to play a pinball game I've got one that came with my computer in the little games section next to minesweeper PLUS I have a mini REAL pinball machine. Its not full size but if I suddenly find myself DYING to play pinball I can just take that out.

if the devs really made these AMAZING physics with perfect collisions etc. then how about we get them working on a project thats a little more....exciting?

snowman6251

I'm with this guy.

If I want to play a pinball game I'll either play the one on my computer, play one of the amazing portable titles (PKMN pinball/Metroid Pinball), or I'll go down to the central and hit the arcade...

Maybe It's just me, but I'd feel like I'm wasting my time playing pinball on a console...

[QUOTE="snowman6251"]

um who gives a crap about pinball?

If I want to play a pinball game I've got one that came with my computer in the little games section next to minesweeper PLUS I have a mini REAL pinball machine. Its not full size but if I suddenly find myself DYING to play pinball I can just take that out.

if the devs really made these AMAZING physics with perfect collisions etc. then how about we get them working on a project thats a little more....exciting?

Niff_T

I'm with this guy.

If I want to play a pinball game I'll either play the one on my computer, play one of the amazing portable titles (PKMN pinball/Metroid Pinball), or I'll go down to the central and hit the arcade...

Maybe It's just me, but I'd feel like I'm wasting my time playing pinball on a console...

So playing pinball on a handheld is a good way to spend time but on a console it's not. Well you're starting off well.........

Then you can go into your arcade 24 hours a day and play any of the ten tables in this game for free. Most people don't have 3am access so if you have an all hours arcade you might want to give it a shout out so others have the chance to play these free tables whenever they want.

I don't think you're going to find many, if any, people who follow your "particular" mindset, I can bet you the guy you quoted doesn't share your mindset either lol

[QUOTE="Sancroff"]

[QUOTE="CheeChee_Macko"]Amazon.com has this game for $19.99 right now.Jaysonguy

I just checked Amazon and the Wii version is $30 (US$). Are you sure you aren't looking at the PSP version? The PSP version is $20.

It was on sale during the day probably

Also you have to wait 2 weeks to a month for them to get more in stock.

Yeah, it was just a quick little sale during the day, but now they are out of stock. Shame I was going to order it too.

[QUOTE="Niff_T"][QUOTE="snowman6251"]

um who gives a crap about pinball?

If I want to play a pinball game I've got one that came with my computer in the little games section next to minesweeper PLUS I have a mini REAL pinball machine. Its not full size but if I suddenly find myself DYING to play pinball I can just take that out.

if the devs really made these AMAZING physics with perfect collisions etc. then how about we get them working on a project thats a little more....exciting?

Jaysonguy

I'm with this guy.

If I want to play a pinball game I'll either play the one on my computer, play one of the amazing portable titles (PKMN pinball/Metroid Pinball), or I'll go down to the central and hit the arcade...

Maybe It's just me, but I'd feel like I'm wasting my time playing pinball on a console...

So playing pinball on a handheld is a good way to spend time but on a console it's not. Well you're starting off well.........

Then you can go into your arcade 24 hours a day and play any of the ten tables in this game for free. Most people don't have 3am access so if you have an all hours arcade you might want to give it a shout out so others have the chance to play these free tables whenever they want.

I don't think you're going to find many, if any, people who follow your "particular" mindset, I can bet you the guy you quoted doesn't share your mindset either lol

I think what he is trying to say is that pinball is more enjoyable in an arcade rather than at home by yourself staring at a tv. Also playing pinball on a handheld has it pros since it is so convienient and could be played anywhere unlike a console.

So playing pinball on a handheld is a good way to spend time but on a console it's not. Well you're starting off well.........

Then you can go into your arcade 24 hours a day and play any of the ten tables in this game for free. Most people don't have 3am access so if you have an all hours arcade you might want to give it a shout out so others have the chance to play these free tables whenever they want.

I don't think you're going to find many, if any, people who follow your "particular" mindset, I can bet you the guy you quoted doesn't share your mindset either lol

Jaysonguy

I'm simply stating my opinion on a pinball game, no need to act like I just insulted your mother...

To be quite honest, yeah I think pinball on a handheld is great. I find nothing wrong with whipping out the DS/GBA and playing a few games of pinball, when I'm, say on a road trip to Florida to pick up my sister from college (I live in PA btw), or simply on a trip to a vacation destination.

I'm also sorry that I have higher standards for consoles. If you ask me "With more power comes more responsibility" pretty much fits the consoles. I'd much rather play and epic or a game that I can lose myself to for hours at a time on a console than settle for a game of pinball when my console is screaming for something more worth it's price tag...

......Then again, I don't know why I'm trying to explain my point of view to you in the first place. You now assume that I live in an arcade and spend all my time trying to beat the local nerd in a game of pinball..... Just so you know I never go to arcades. I don't know anyone who in a sane/sober state would go to an arcade, I was simply throwing the idea out there for people who don't want to spend $20-$30 on a game and still want to play pinball. Instead you jumped crazy on the whole arcade thing and took it way too far...

I've heard good things from this game, but pinball's not my thing.

And everyone, stop bahing each other. It's annoying.

[QUOTE="Niff_T"][QUOTE="snowman6251"]

um who gives a crap about pinball?

If I want to play a pinball game I've got one that came with my computer in the little games section next to minesweeper PLUS I have a mini REAL pinball machine. Its not full size but if I suddenly find myself DYING to play pinball I can just take that out.

if the devs really made these AMAZING physics with perfect collisions etc. then how about we get them working on a project thats a little more....exciting?

Jaysonguy

I'm with this guy.

If I want to play a pinball game I'll either play the one on my computer, play one of the amazing portable titles (PKMN pinball/Metroid Pinball), or I'll go down to the central and hit the arcade...

Maybe It's just me, but I'd feel like I'm wasting my time playing pinball on a console...

So playing pinball on a handheld is a good way to spend time but on a console it's not. Well you're starting off well.........

Then you can go into your arcade 24 hours a day and play any of the ten tables in this game for free. Most people don't have 3am access so if you have an all hours arcade you might want to give it a shout out so others have the chance to play these free tables whenever they want.

I don't think you're going to find many, if any, people who follow your "particular" mindset, I can bet you the guy you quoted doesn't share your mindset either lol

you're half-right? I'm not totally in his mindset as I wouldn't really want to play pinball on a portable system either. I'd rather play Metroid Hunters than Metroid Pinball alright. However if I WAS going to buy a pinball game I'd get a portable one. Its really not worthy of a console game and I suppose it could be an ok time killer on a plane or something

For me pinball is something to do in the arcade at the movie theater while I wait 15 minutes for my movie to start. That or Time Crisis and frankly Time Crisis is more likely to win that battle

I'd rather put my 30 bucks to Okami or something, pinball games just do not seem appealing in any way

$30 for pinball? I'll pass. If you want to waste your money on it go right ahead.forgot_it

And if you want to miss out on one of the true masterpieces this gen then by all means please do with less this generation :D

[QUOTE="forgot_it"]$30 for pinball? I'll pass. If you want to waste your money on it go right ahead.Jaysonguy

And if you want to miss out on one of the true masterpieces this gen then by all means please do with less this generation :D

[QUOTE="Jaysonguy"]

[QUOTE="forgot_it"]$30 for pinball? I'll pass. If you want to waste your money on it go right ahead.forgot_it

And if you want to miss out on one of the true masterpieces this gen then by all means please do with less this generation :D

Didn't you grow up with pinball at all? This is the best collection of machines you can find, no other pinball game comes close.

[QUOTE="forgot_it"][QUOTE="Jaysonguy"]

[QUOTE="forgot_it"]$30 for pinball? I'll pass. If you want to waste your money on it go right ahead.bob_newman

And if you want to miss out on one of the true masterpieces this gen then by all means please do with less this generation :D

Didn't you grow up with pinball at all? This is the best collection of machines you can find, no other pinball game comes close.

[QUOTE="forgot_it"]$30 for pinball? I'll pass. If you want to waste your money on it go right ahead.Jaysonguy

And if you want to miss out on one of the true masterpieces this gen then by all means please do with less this generation :D

your grammer confuses me. It makes sense up until the word "do" and then after that English ceases to exist. what do you mean "with less this generation"

Actually, if you were lucky enough, you could have picked it up for $13.98 at Target.

And yes, the game rocks!!!

This does sound like a fun game. I think it would be great to play with my friends.

Does it keep track of High Scores and let players enter their names?

ebaybenjidogg

Yes, indeed. and it has up to 4 player mode. And you can get an extra credit if you match the nmber that appears on screen with the predetermined number the game gives you after you run out of balls.

[QUOTE="Jaysonguy"]

[QUOTE="forgot_it"]$30 for pinball? I'll pass. If you want to waste your money on it go right ahead.snowman6251

And if you want to miss out on one of the true masterpieces this gen then by all means please do with less this generation :D

your grammer confuses me. It makes sense up until the word "do" and then after that English ceases to exist. what do you mean "with less this generation"

Oops, I was cooking in between that sentence lol

But you get the overall point so that's good

Actually, if you were lucky enough, you could have picked it up for $13.98 at Target.

And yes, the game rocks!!!

specialed

You sir are one lucky dog

[QUOTE="Jaysonguy"]

So playing pinball on a handheld is a good way to spend time but on a console it's not. Well you're starting off well.........

Then you can go into your arcade 24 hours a day and play any of the ten tables in this game for free. Most people don't have 3am access so if you have an all hours arcade you might want to give it a shout out so others have the chance to play these free tables whenever they want.

I don't think you're going to find many, if any, people who follow your "particular" mindset, I can bet you the guy you quoted doesn't share your mindset either lol

Niff_T

I'm simply stating my opinion on a pinball game, no need to act like I just insulted your mother...

To be quite honest, yeah I think pinball on a handheld is great. I find nothing wrong with whipping out the DS/GBA and playing a few games of pinball, when I'm, say on a road trip to Florida to pick up my sister from college (I live in PA btw), or simply on a trip to a vacation destination.

I'm also sorry that I have higher standards for consoles. If you ask me "With more power comes more responsibility" pretty much fits the consoles. I'd much rather play and epic or a game that I can lose myself to for hours at a time on a console than settle for a game of pinball when my console is screaming for something more worth it's price tag...

......Then again, I don't know why I'm trying to explain my point of view to you in the first place. You now assume that I live in an arcade and spend all my time trying to beat the local nerd in a game of pinball..... Just so you know I never go to arcades. I don't know anyone who in a sane/sober state would go to an arcade, I was simply throwing the idea out there for people who don't want to spend $20-$30 on a game and still want to play pinball. Instead you jumped crazy on the whole arcade thing and took it way too far...

You confuse me. First you say in your first post, "...or I'll go down to the central and hit the arcade...", and you also say, "I'll either...play one of the amazing portable titles (PKMN pinball/Metroid Pinball)...", but then you turn around and say you never go to arcades and you dont know anyone who will in a sober state go to an arcade. Confused by your metod of madness there. And paying for the PKMN Pinball and Metroid pinball for 15-30 bucks is diff than spending 20-30 bucks on this pinball game?

Dude, what really was yor points in this thread? Oh, yeah, to troll.