Pokemon Pinball

Pikachu's a flippin' pinball wizard! When your parents were insecure, spot-ridden teenagers, there really was only one 'arcade' game to lean against down at the local coffee bar. No Silent Scope 2 or House of the Dead for them – oh no. Your wisered elders made do with watching, in hushed admiration, as the local flash git spent his Brylcreem allowance on the tilting table, racking up quite obscene amounts of points as he did so.

The Teddy Boy's game of choice (ask your Dad) has now leapt into the 21st Century in the cute, portable form of Pokémon Pinball on the Game Boy Color. The game offers you a choice of two tables, or 'fields' as they are bizarrely named. You then, basically, er, play pinball, and catch the little critters by hitting targets around the table. A further option is to play in Map Mode, where the rarity (and difficulty) of the Pokémon you're trying to catch increases with each place you visit to take ages to get the points rolling.

Also, the table is shown over two screens – top and bottom – switching between the two to follow your ball around. While this switch is almost instantaneous, it can cause you to lose track of the ball if it's flying along at groot speed. Once you've got the hang of this minor feature, though, you'll be hooked for hours!

They Call Him Flipper...

The game is actually very easy to pick up and play, the graphics are unspectacular – but this is a pinball game, not Perfect Dark after all – and the sheer simplicity of the gameplay makes it fiendishly addictive.

Pokemon Pinball is a cute and easy-to-play virtual pinball game for the Game Boy Color. Similar to other licensed pinball games like Sonic Spinball and Kirby's Pinball Land, this classic handheld game offers hours of high-score chasing action. Released during the first huge wave of Pokemon popularity, Pokemon Pinball might seem like a cash-grab at first, but playing it for a few rounds will prove those assumptions wrong. Beneath the simplistic pinball field is a fun and addictive collectible adventure, challenging players to collect as many Pokemon as possible while improving their reflexes and precision. When you combine the joyful mechanics of pinball with the rich and storied Pokemon universe, you're sure to have a great time.

Main Game Features

• Two distinct tables modeled after the original Pokemon games
• Features all 151 Pokemon
• Endlessly addictive pinball action

Basic Rules

On a base level, Pokemon Pinball is very easy to pick up and play, with minimal Pinball knowledge needed to succeed.

There's no story to follow, and your main objective is to catch all 151 Pokemon available. There are two tables to pick from, Red and Blue, and represent the original Pokemon Blue and Pokemon Fire Red first-generation games. Both tables have unique layouts, and each table contains exclusive Pokemon. Regardless of which table you are playing, you must activate “Catch” mode to display a Pokemon, then use your flippers to smack the Pokeball already on the table, aiming for the bumpers at the top. Once you've hit the bumpers enough times, you'll catch the targeted Pokemon, expanding your Pokedex. Progress in the Pokedex is carried over from game to game, so you can slowly work towards having a complete set.

Tips and Strategies

While Pokemon Pinball might seem simplistic at first, there are a few fundamental things to learn if you want to succeed. When you first start the game, you'll pick your starting city, with each city containing a few different Pokemon. General pinball rules apply, so hitting ramps, the spinner, and bumpers all drive up your score. However, your main goal should be activating Catch mode, which is accomplished by shooting the loop three times counterclockwise. Once this mode starts, you'll have to hit the bumpers six times to reveal the discovered Pokemon on the bottom of the table. You have two minutes to hit the bumpers and then catch the Pokemon with your Pokeball, otherwise, you'll miss your shot.

Pokemon Pinball lets you not only catch your favorite Pokemon, but evolve them as well! In order to complete your Pokedex, you'll need to activate evolve some of the Pokemon you've already caught. This can be accomplished by hitting the loop three times clockwise, then completing the shots indicated by flashing arrows. If you successfully catch three Pokemon in one location, you'll move onto one of the five bonus stages. These quirky bonus stages play out like boss battles, letting you whack legendary Pokemon like Mewtwo with a flurry of pinballs. Although figuring out the catching and evolving process might seem a little complex at first, once you get the hang of it, you'll be a certified Pokemon master!

Conclusion

Pokemon Pinball might not have a lot of playable tables or exciting modes, but it's still tons of fun. By including detailed sprites of the 151 Pokemon and nailing the presentation, this branded pinball game is an addictive treat. Whether you're a big fan of the mainline series or just looking for a casual handheld game, Pokemon Pinball offers a nostalgic and charming experience.

Pros

• Colorful graphics
• Pokedex keeps you playing
• Great use of the Pokemon brand

Cons

• Gameplay could be smoother
• Needs more unique tables
• Can be confusing at first