Previous Next

I can't help it, I'm sorry, I've fought against it, told myself it's not big, it's not clever and nobody's going to impressed - most of you probably don't even remember The Who, never mind their musical Tommy, but the urge is just overwhelming... oh, God, it's coming... it's here: "He's a pinball wizard, it has to be a twist, that pinball wizard, got such a supple wrist (er-hum)... that deaf, dumb and blind kid sure plays a mean pinball... tumpty tum, etc, etc, ad lib to fade".

Right, it's out, could have been worse I guess. Now, on with the review. There's not a whole hell of a lot to say really - this is pinball, pure and simple. Rev up your ball, put it into action then flip, flip and flip again with the six separate flippers at your disposal, bashing bumpers, mounting ramps, lighting lights and going hell for leather for extra balls, bonus levels or ever better, multi-ball.

The best bit of this game, as in the real thing, is the multi-ball feature. It's not easy to attain, you have to aim your ball at some hard-to-reach targets and then light all the MAGIC letters at the top. Once this is accomplished you're off with three fast-moving balls careering maniacally around the table.

It ain't good enough to just have one main table - you've got to have subtle twisty and turny things, secret bits and above all: bonus levels. Pinball Wizard does not let us down. You have to bash a few ramps a prerequisite number of times then the dragons around the edge obligingly open their mouths, allowing you access to the Pyramid Tombs.

1. The Pharaoh's Tomb
   Several creepy crawlies are scattered around and there's a big Pharaoh-ish type thing in the centre of the room. Disappointment number one, the spiders don't move. Hitting them though, causes the Pharaoh's face to crack letting a little mummy pop out (just the one mind)!
2. The Dungeons
   Mount a certain ramp enough times to spell out the word DUNGEON in lights and the next time you enter a dragon's gob you're transported to the Dungeon bonus level - and a more deadly dull bonus room you're not likely to see! Hit a few rings a few times and you're rewarded with a surprise. Probably.

Well, it's flippin' pinball, innit? As in pinball tables with flashing lights and ramps and multi-balls and stuff.

Flip those flippin' flippers, batter those ramps and notch up as many points as you can.

Compared to my all-time fave pinball game, Dragon's Fury, Pinball Wizard sadly doesn't hack it. On first play, I was riveted (being a complete pinball fanatic) - the main table is fairly attractive to eye, the ball movement is true, fast and smooth and okay, the flippers are a bit dodgy but you can't expect miracles from the Game Gear.

I was also taken by the bonus levels until I really got into them and realised their shallow quality. The multi-ball feature is pretty good but it's hard to get it and pretty short-lived. Soon my fascination turned to dissatisfaction, degenerating rapidly to boredom. Not totally bad, but not much cop either.

Wizard's been on the cards for some time now, and I must admit I'm a little disappointed with the end result. I like the movement of the ball, very smooth and convincing, but I'm not so sure about the feel of the game as a whole.

Developing a pinball table is a precise art, and the programmers haven't quite grasped the essential need for bonus levels to be more frequent and more rewarding. If these requirements aren't met then there's nothing to play for. Saying this, Wizard isn't totally bad, just a bit boring.

Graphics 71%
P. A reasonable looking but nothing to shout home about in any respect.

Animation 68%
P. The ball movement is fast and super-smooth.
N. The flippers are on the jerky side and animation is minimal.

Music 54%
N. Typical tinny Game Gear plinkety plonks.

Effects 54%
N. Ditto.

Playability 75%
P. Fluid controls and a nicely-executed multi-ball feature.
N. The bonus levels are a let down.

Lastability 64%
N. You might squeeze a few hours, maybe even a day's fun out of this one, but the appeal soon wanes.

Overall 60%
Good in spots but this pinball jaunt lacks longevity and really could, and should, have been a lot better.