Metroid Prime Pinball Review

By Mathew Kumar Published 12 April, 2006

Flipping hell.

Version tested: DS

The first thing you need to know about Metroid Prime Pinball is that it's bundled with a rumble pack. Nintendo, up to its old tricks again, has seen fit to launch a new accessory for a system by attaching it to a game, which works fine when it's the calibre of say, Lylat Wars (the N64's rumble pack bundle) but less so when it's a Donkey Kong 64 (the N64's memory expansion bundle).

All discussion of the quality of the game aside, the one good feature of the rumble pack bundled with Metroid Prime Pinball is that unlike the pack that came with Lylat Wars, it doesn't require batteries. Of course, the mere idea of it requiring batteries is ridiculous, but hey, I'm struggling for positives here. I could claim at least it's only the size of a GBA cart, but, oops, that means it'll still stick out of those DS Lites you're all eyeing up so lustfully. Even worse, the output from this so-called 'rumble' pack is so weak, and so ineffective, that the term 'a mouse's fart' comes to mind. Not only does the rumble pack offer a tremor comparable to the almost non-existent pressure a incontinent field mouse might exert upon your palm, it also has sounds like the aforementioned gastrointestinal agony. The manual helpfully states: "When Rumble Feature is on, the Rumble Pack will make sounds during game play."

'Metroid Prime Pinball' Screenshot 1

The occasional multi-ball sections are boring due to the barrier's activation.

It is, frankly, an embarrassing piece of kit, one that you'll rip out of the machine after a couple of minutes of mortification. Let's not speak of it again.

Allowing ourselves to discuss the quality of the game, let's just say it doesn't do as good a job as Lylat Wars did at washing away the sour taste of a useless peripheral.

Pinball sounds like the kind of thing it would be incredibly hard to mess up (after all, it's just two flippers and a ball, right?) but the subtleties of design available are many, and in general, Metroid Prime Pinball's innovations offer far less than solid table design would. In the first of three modes, Multi Mission, you take part in a campaign across six of the game's seven tables to collect artefacts. Single Mission mode allows you to choose a single table, from a choice of two initially, with four to unlock, and take part in ether a high score or time trial. Wireless Mission mode allows up to eight players to take part in a score race via download play using multiplayer-only table Magmoor Caverns.

Fitting the Metroid theme, the ball is Samus in Morph Ball mode, with the capability to drop up to three bombs at any one time. During the Multi Mission mode you are expected to find and unlock both missile and super bomb upgrades, and Samus - also uniquely for a pinball game - has a life bar.

'Metroid Prime Pinball' Screenshot 2

The Shriekbat Shootout mini-game. Aim left and right and Samus shoots constantly.

Of the seven tables on offer, a mere three are traditional pinball tables, and with one of those multiplayer-only the majority of the time spent playing the Multi Mission focuses on the four tables on which you do battle with boss characters. Slamming the ball against them repeatedly is a largely unskilled and often frustrating affair, with your ball's life meter evaporating quickly from the bosses' unavoidable attacks.

At many points during the game it's actually fairly difficult to get the ball to roll out of bounds, as much like spiritual predecessor Pokemon Pinball: Ruby and Sapphire, which offered copious ball saves, here you often find an invincible barrier between the flippers. This means that for stretches of the game the main worry is the life bar, but it's easy to become irritated during the few moments the barrier disappears, as a Triclops, one of the many enemies that wanders the tables, usually catches and fires the ball directly between the flippers, inescapably.

Whither the tilt? In what the designers probably thought was a terribly immersive idea to bring across the desperation of the tilt function, you tilt by tapping the screen. Of course, you'll therefore never, ever have time to perform this when it counts, as it's far less intuitive than even pressing a button. I've only managed to save my ball using the tilt once, and that was pure luck. The game does manage to use the DS' two screens effectively, with the gap taken account of and not affecting gameplay, allowing the tables to be seen in full.

'Metroid Prime Pinball' Screenshot 3

The Phazon Mines boss. Attacks on bosses are usually performed in ball mode, but combat mode ends the skirmish far quicker, particularly with missiles.

Some of the mini-games, particularly those in which Samus transforms back into human form for either a wall jumping marathon or a shooting match are quite fun, and they actually take up a significant portion of game time themselves. The fact is, this is a very poor pinball game, but taken as a homage to the Metroid series, it's an acceptable exercise - working your way through the Multi Mission with the that mindset can be a short, sometimes frustrating, but interesting trip through the locations of Metroid Prime, but sadly one that doesn't offer very much in the way of replayability.

It's bitter that the wireless play not only feels completely useless, with only the barest interaction between players, but that the table isn't available in any other mode. Indeed, only the two traditional pinball tables (Pirate Frigate and Tallon Overworld) are worth replaying, similar as they are to the two tables from Pokemon Pinball: Ruby and Sapphire. Without the gotta catch 'em all game mechanic, though, there's soon little impetus to soldier on with them.

Metroid Prime Pinball is a game that requires that you're a bigger fan of the 'Metroid Prime' part of the title than you are of the 'Pinball' part. While fun can be had here, it's from the mini-games and the experience rather than solid table designs - and that's a cardinal sin in pinball.

4 / 10

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About Mathew Kumar

Read more articles from Mathew by visiting the Mathew Kumar archive page.

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Comments (65) Latest comment 6 years ago

Comments threads automatically close after 30 days, but please feel free to continue chatting on the forum!

  • Spud_leg_wizz #1 6 years ago

    There are no excellent pinball games on any current machine, only 'okay' ones. Pure Pinball on Xbox is the closest I've come. It makes me sad.

  • gerg #2 6 years ago

    Indeed. Even Odama fell short, yet I still found it undeniably fun to play.
    Edited by 1 at 12/04/06 @ 08:46

  • SirScratchalot #3 6 years ago

    I´m shocked. I found this brilliant.
    I can wholeheartedly sign on for the disgust about the rumble pack though.

  • BartonFink #4 6 years ago

    What next Zelda tennis? Well they do love to milk their franchises. One milking too far perhaps? There are people probably creaming themselves over this one though.
    Edited by 1 at 12/04/06 @ 08:54

  • Tonka #5 6 years ago

    What next Zelda tennis?

    Great idea. It could be lika a battle between Zelda and Ganon. Instead of bats they could swing their swords and the ball could be replaced with a jolt of lightning.

  • BartonFink #6 6 years ago

    Oh good god, the funny thing is knowing Nintendo it could happen.

  • Mr_Whacker #7 6 years ago

    What would have been cool is if the 2 halves of the table changed. Lower screen from table A, top from table B and so on. I think I'll stick with Pinball of the Dead on GBA.

  • lambtron #8 6 years ago

    "There are people probably creaming themselves over this one though."

    Surely not, I mean surely even the most rabid Ninty Fanboy, or indeed anyone for that matter could not be excited by the prospect of this game?

    Maybe I am just really naieve...

  • #9 6 years ago

    Enough of these crazy spin-offs Mr Nintendo! Let's have starwing and stunt race fx for the DS instead!

    And rumble on a h/held? - What WERE they thinking!

  • Xerx3s #10 6 years ago

    "There are no excellent pinball games on any current machine, only 'okay' ones. Pure Pinball on Xbox is the closest I've come. It makes me sad."

    The PC has had brilliant pinball games for ages.

  • Ciaran #11 6 years ago

    /is surprised

    Well, it was going to be a rent-first-buy-whenever anyway...

  • Ignatius_Cheese #12 6 years ago

    I actually quite enjoyed this game... Very much the "pick up and play" mentality that I like about the DS.

    That said, I am quite obsessed with Metroid... You could stick Samus' visor on a turd and I'd be jostling at the front of the queue :oP

  • Shivoa #13 6 years ago

    With Pokemon Pinball for the GBA offering so much more I can't see this selling very well.

  • Pike #14 6 years ago

    DICE should return to making pinball games, to show how it should be done. Pinball dreams, Pinball Fantasies and Pinball Illusions still haven't been surpassed.

  • Ignatius_Cheese #15 6 years ago

    Pike - "DICE should return to making pinball games, to show how it should be done. Pinball dreams, Pinball Fantasies and Pinball Illusions still haven't been surpassed"

    Never before have truer words been spoken... or typed.

  • Tiger_Walts #16 6 years ago

    Certainly worthy of a higher than 4 score. I think it's worth the £20 I paid for it.

    The rumble pak isn't used well in this, it's more of a nudge pak and is perfectly suited for M&L:piT.

  • krudster #17 6 years ago

    Man, those DICE pinball games, true classics.

    /recalls the dole years with affection.

  • drumbaby #18 6 years ago

    Maybe they'll get it right with Mario/ Starfox/ Pikmin pinball?

  • #19 6 years ago

    Don't tempt them! We've already had Mario Pinball on GBA (which, incidentally, looked kind-of fun).

  • Hog-lumps #20 6 years ago

    Enough of these crazy spin-offs Mr Nintendo!

    Isn't that the nature of pinball tables in general though? I mean the majority of real-life pinball tables are spin-offs from film, televison or music, - they'd be (argaubly) less interesting as plain tables without a 'theme'...........

  • SeesThroughAll #21 6 years ago

    Not exactly the most original idea for a spin-off, Sega once did the same to Sonic (Sonic Spinball) and already then it was a flop.

  • DaM #22 6 years ago

    Mario Pinball on GBA is kind of fun! If you like pinball. And Mario.

  • SeesThroughAll #23 6 years ago

    Pinball and flagship franchises don't mix, it seems.

  • harrisimo #24 6 years ago

    very harsh review indeed, and much too focused on the negative aspects of the game. yes, a few more tables would have been nice, but the two 'main' tables are both excellent. also, no mention of the brilliant metroid music and sound effects. really atmospheric.

    never had a problem with the life bar. think i've died precisely once in dozens of hours of play in that manner. take the point about the tilt though - never use it.

    and the rumble pak isn't THAT bad. it sort of chirrups. some may find it annoying but i think it adds to the game.

    you must have just reviewed this in a bad mood or something. it's definitely either an 8 or a 9. i think you understimated how brilliantly designed for pinball the DS is - a passing mention of the effective use of two screens doesn't convey what a huge improvement this is from the single screen restriction of other pinball games, with their horrible scrolling or weird 'squashed' perspective.

    it's perfect for a 20 min DS blast here and there. 8.5/10 am huge metroid fan, so maybe 7 for less rabid fanboi.


  • rainbows #25 6 years ago

    I'm a huge Metroid fan, and I HATE this game with a fiery passion. When I played it, it just made me sick. It's really a disgrace to associate the Metroid name with such a horribly bad game. About time someone gave a proper review of the game,

  • Carrybagma #26 6 years ago

    Slamming the ball against them repeatedly is a largely unskilled and often frustrating affair, with your ball's life meter evaporating quickly from the bosses' unavoidable attacks.

    So. You're not crap then?

  • harrisimo #27 6 years ago

    "When I played it, it just made me sick."

    maybe you'd just eaten some dodgy prawns beforehand or something.

    well i liked it. others didn't. such is life. i still think the review was a little unfair. i think it's a competent, well designed game. if you don't like pinball and/or metroid, it's hardly going to be your bag.

  • MrChuckles #28 6 years ago

    You want decent pinball, go for the Star Trek, WhoDunnit or Indiana Jones tables using Visual Pinball pinball system. Only works on the PC though, and needs a pretty decent system to run at any speed. Oh and it's free.

    I've been an avid pinball games player since back in the day of Pinball Dreams on the Amiga, and still think the 'Graveyard' table is one of the best ever created.

    Not exactly hard to get right, so why is everyone so miserable at making good tables? :-(

  • gerg #29 6 years ago

    Mario Pinball was a lot of luck, but those 3D sprite scaling graphics on a GBA!? Now that was amazing.

  • Pike #30 6 years ago

    still think the 'Graveyard' table is one of the best ever created.

    Oh god yes. That was my absolute favourite as well. And then the other tables were pretty damned fine. Shouldn't they be able to just port those DICE games to the DS?
    Edited by 2 at 12/04/06 @ 10:31

  • Foxis #31 6 years ago

    If you want proper pinball - get a real machine! :p
    Computer/console pinball games will NEVER be any good!

  • Dizzy #32 6 years ago

    Woah...

    Now we have the real pinball machine vs DS fanboy thread :)

  • jonchoo #33 6 years ago

    I enjoy this game. Perfect for a quick play on the Tube when one doesn't need a stylus. The Rumble Pak is annoying if you don't have the volume turned up, but it is free anyway and works with MP:H and M&L:piT. I use it all the time just to annoy my fellow Tube commuters. A good pinball game with lovely sprites.

    But to each his own.

  • MrChuckles #34 6 years ago

    Yeah, real pinball machines for teh win, i used to have a Twilight Zone, had to sell it after moving into a small flat, bah...

    Pity you can hardly find anywhere that has them anymore, only game of true skill in an arcade these days.

  • OnlyMe #35 6 years ago

    Well, there have been four pinball games I've thoroughly enjoyed. Pinball Dreams, Fantasies and Illusions, and finally Slamtilt. A spiritual successor to the DICE trilogy, and worthy of the same praise.

    Of course, don't even consider Slamtilt Ressurection.

  • Carlo #36 6 years ago

    Those saying Metroid as a franchise should not have been made into a pinball game consider real pinball games. They are almost always franchises.

    /still loves Leathal Weapon Pinball machine.

    Not that I'm trying to say this game is good or not. i'm just saying, pinball is predominantly franchised themes.

  • MadMirko #37 6 years ago

    Well now I'm amazed. This is the first time I do not agree with an EG review, and from judging from the posts here I'm not alone.

    MPP is a (IMHO) very fun Metroid spinoff with pinball mechanics, that's all I can say.

  • dk_rare #38 6 years ago

    It looks great imo, haven't played it yet though. I've always hated pinball, even actual pinball. I like Metroid though

  • Lost_in_Darkness #39 6 years ago

    Hey now, this game is actually pretty fun. It's the best pinball game i've played in a long time for sure. Definitely more a 7.5 - 8. Dunno what's up with this score of 4. Especially since other places like gamespot have given it a much much higher score.

  • alpha-0ne #40 6 years ago

    oh the nintendiboys are out in force today anything with mario, zelda or meteroid must be an 8 at least ;-)

  • Ignatius_Cheese #41 6 years ago

    Nah, I wouldn't say anywhere near an 8 for this game... It's worthy of a 6 though.

  • caligari #42 6 years ago

    Yep, I would also love a DS version of Pinball Fantasies!

    BUT, I actually really enjoy a little bit of Metroid Pinball when on the toilet (although I did only pay 7 pounds for it).

  • #43 6 years ago

    eurogamer lol

    this game is pretty great actually. not as good as pokemon pinball, but still great.

  • Kon #44 6 years ago

    Thank god i bought the game well ahead of the EG review as i probably would not have done so after reading this article.

    I find the game quite entertaining for short bursts. The music is absolutely ace and the various challenges/minigames are good fun.

    I won't put much of an argument as i'n neither the biggest pinball or Metroid fan out there but IMHO this is a solid 6/10 (above average, but should have had some 2 more tables).

  • Nikanoru #45 6 years ago

    Oh good god, the funny thing is knowing Nintendo it could happen.

    I...think you sorta missed that joke. Unless you knew Zelda already contains what he described. ;)

    Isn't that the nature of pinball tables in general though? I mean the majority of real-life pinball tables are spin-offs from film, televison or music, - they'd be (argaubly) less interesting as plain tables without a 'theme'...........

    Shhhhh, don't interrupt the haters with good points, if Nintendo does it, it's franchise milking.

    oh the nintendiboys are out in force today anything with mario, zelda or meteroid must be an 8 at least ;-)

    In your little retarded world maybe. Learn to type better than an eight year old first, then come back and insult people. Or wait, no, don't come back.

  • TYtanium #46 6 years ago

    Has anybody else tried the rumble pack on metroid prime hunters. it gives a lot more powerful rumble during the cut scenes but the noise of the thing is odd to say the least.
    it sounds like an underwater fart.

    There was a rumble feature built into the wario ware twisted cartridge and it was good it wasn't very powerful but vibrated very fast and had a normal, quite noise.

    anyways, i kind of enjoyed metroid prime pinball but it was also the most infurating game i ever played. i don't like the idea of dying without any way to stop it. if you fall through the flippers i think you should go down to a different area and have to try and get back up. i would not care if it was really hard it's better than just dying.

  • AOFanboi #47 6 years ago

    <em>Pinball dreams, Pinball Fantasies and Pinball Illusions still haven't been surpassed.</em>

    And two of those three exist in a package for your trusty GBA-cart playing device (GBA, SP, DS, Micro). Pinball Challenge Deluxe, with the games lovingly recreated (including physics quirks) by Binary 9 and distributed by Ubi Soft. But without a battery save, those cheapskates. What's the point in the originals' highscore tables when they go boom the moment you turn it off?

    Personally, I'd like to see Pro Pinball: Big Race USA for a handheld, which IMHO is the coolest PC pinball game out there.

  • caligari #48 6 years ago


    I also don't understand what annoys people about the rumble cartridge. It does what it says on the tin (if it actually rumbled as much as a DualShock, I'm guessing the DS would crumble to dust). The game actually feels a little hollow when played without it.

  • Feanor #49 6 years ago

    "Pike - "DICE should return to making pinball games, to show how it should be done. Pinball dreams, Pinball Fantasies and Pinball Illusions still haven't been surpassed"

    Never before have truer words been spoken... or typed."

    Or read. :) I really loved those gams on the Amiga.

  • Ignatius_Cheese #50 6 years ago

    TYtanium - "Has anybody else tried the rumble pack on metroid prime hunters. it gives a lot more powerful rumble during the cut scenes but the noise of the thing is odd to say the least.
    it sounds like an underwater fart."

    Hehe, I kinda know what you mean. I think it works a lot better in Metroid Prime Hunters than in this "game that comes free with a rumble pack".

    Not too sure about underwater farts... The explosions after beating bosses make it sound quite alien. One thing's for sure though, tis a noisy bugger! :oP

  • tonkei #51 6 years ago

    This is the first 4 I've ever enjoied playing!

    lets see if it's still as much fun after a month.


    The old Digital Illusions pinball games ae still just as much fun, that's why clver people invented WinUAE :)

  • kentmonkey #52 6 years ago

    MadM1rko wrote: "Well now I'm amazed. This is the first time I do not agree with an EG review, and from judging from the posts here I'm not alone. "

    You're user id suggest you've been around longer than 3 days, surely you must be mistaken! :o)

  • kentmonkey #53 6 years ago

    AOFanboi, any idea where you can purchase said GBA game as that sounds bloody awesome!

  • Daikon #54 6 years ago

    "When Rumble Feature is on, the Rumble Pack will make sounds during game play."

    "It's not a design flaw, it's a feature!"

  • OllyJ #55 6 years ago

    PErsonally I want to see a good pinball game on Xbox Live Arcade...surely that has got to be what it's made for! it's all about high scores so with it's leaderboards systems it would well and truly rock!

    I used to play worms pinball on ps1...that was crap but the 2nd table, some road race thing, wasn't, in fact it was ace!


    I WANT LIVE ARCADE PINBALL NOW!

  • neosalad #56 6 years ago

    i've had this for a little while since the US launch now.. i'am really shocked at how low you marked this game. it's been one of the DS games i tend to play more often than any other to be honest, i certainly enjoyed it more than pokémon pinball on GBA or the Pinball of the dead on gba too. Maybe not quiet the heights of Pinbal Dreams/Fantasies on the Amiga though.
    i'd give it a 7 or 8 out of 10 easily!

    neosalad

  • fatsuit #57 6 years ago

    What an extremely poor review.

    Not quite as laughable as NTSC's Outrun 2 review but still...

    For example, you don't tap the screen to tilt the board - you pull it in any direction with your thumb. No wonder it didn't work too well if you tapped the screen.

    The rumble pack isn't that bad either.


  • mingster #58 6 years ago

    MAME arcade pinball emulation.
    Every table ever created by Bally, Williams, etc..
    Adams Family, Star Wars, STar Trek, Twilight Zone etc..
    All perfect recreations. PC only i'm afraid:

    http://ww w.vpforums.com/vptables/tables.php

  • aerisdead #59 6 years ago

    "For example, you don't tap the screen to tilt the board - you pull it in any direction with your thumb. No wonder it didn't work too well if you tapped the screen. "

    This is semantics. If you want, I can get it changed to 'touch the screen' - the point still stands. This is a terribly unergonomic control for a part of the game that shouldn't require conscious thought. Yes, the tilt itself works fine, but I barely ever used it, in comparison to even, say, Pokemon Pinball, where I used it all the time.
    Edited by 1 at 13/04/06 @ 15:21

  • Bidermaier #60 6 years ago

    I am a little confused, i always agree with EG and i am enjoying the game quite a lot. It is far from the perfect game but it is entertaining and enjoyable. it worth the £15 i paid for it.

  • fatsuit #61 6 years ago

    Yeah, it's only £15 from VG+.

    That's a bargain. The rumble pack itself costs about £10 from NoA. So it's basically a fiver for the game...

    ------------------------------------

    There's more than a semantic difference between 'touching' the screen and 'pulling' it. A mere 'touch' (or 'tap') implies a simple press on the screen, when what you really have to do is 'touch' then pull it it any direction to tilt. It doesn't tilt by merely touching the screen like you press a button.

    I often use it to increase the speed the balls hit the walls and to keep it within the bumper zone to increase jackpots. It works like a charm, maybe too good even as it would be hard to do in reality.

    Also, the point about the Triclops' ejection of the maru mari is not valid IMO.

    It's far from unavoidable, it's hard but that's what Triclops DO. When they're on the table, you KNOW that's what they're gonna do so you have to preempt their moves. Drop bombs around them, they will seek towards them and blow up.

    x

  • fredlutin #62 6 years ago

    Oh God ! This is probably one of the worst reviews I have come accross. I have had the game for weeks, and I do not get tired playing it. The design of the tables is great and eventually, players will choose playing only with their favorite table or will use the multible table options, sort of "story mode". As for the rumble pack, we have two DS at home, and it really feels weird playing without it. It definitely adds up to the feeling of playing on a real pinball. By the way, I am 32 years old, and I have tried and played with a lot of videogame versions of pinballs in my life. To me, this one is definitely the best I've come accross for a long time. I believe some people just don't get their fun with pinball adaptations on video games, and nothing will ever change for them no matter what happens. As for me, I have great fun with Metroid Prime Pinball, on my own, but also with my friends ! Don't miss this gigantic HIT ! ! !
    Edited by 1 at 14/04/06 @ 09:02

  • papalazarou #63 6 years ago

    I thought the review was a bit off the mark. 4/10? I think a solid 7 perhaps.

  • aerisdead #64 6 years ago

    "It's far from unavoidable, it's hard but that's what Triclops DO. When they're on the table, you KNOW that's what they're gonna do so you have to preempt their moves. Drop bombs around them, they will seek towards them and blow up. "

    Fatsuit, I'm perfectly aware that the point is to avoid them and drop bombs for them. The point I am making is that if you are caught by one, they walk to the centre of the screen and fire the ball directly between the flippers at speed. Unless they've got a long walk and you've prepared your thumb the tilt is pretty much impossible to perform, and even if it is, it's not that helpful.

    I still don't get your point about the tilt. My point is that it's uncomfortable to try and hit the screen from the natural position of your hands on the DS (much like the same system is poor in Super Princess Peach) nothing to do with what you do once you're touching the screen. As I said (I think) the tilt works far better even in Pokemon Pinball.

    In the end I disliked this game because I think the table designs are uninspired, repetitive and dull. The minigames brighten it a bit, the Metroid theme is nice, but yes, in comparison to video pinball games from, gosh, ten years ago, it just doesn't match up - even with all of that screen real estate.

  • fatsuit #65 6 years ago

    Cheers for the replies, aerisdead ;)

    You could have ignored me completely.

    ----------------------------------------------

    I still think a 4 is wrong, nevermind the arguments about what doesn't work.

    It's the score that freaks me out..

    The review might as well have been submitted with a 6 score attached. I've read harsher reviews with a 7 at the end.

    x

  • A_Link_to_the_Past #66 6 years ago

    I swear, this review seems like a total bitch fest - focusing far too much on the fact that a lot of the game isn't pinbally. Additionally, I don't see how you can argue that the force field makes it to easy - one, it does not last for very long. Two, one of the most annoying things with pinball for me is when you suddenly rocket down through the flippers.

    Also, maybe it's just a European version thing, but in my copy, I don't get thrown directly through the flippers - they walk down, not to the middle, and usually the flipper catches it.