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Top 10: The best Pinball FX2 tables

To know me is to know my love of pinball. For me, the simple arcade game has infused itself into many different aspects of my life. My early memories of roaming arcades looking for a table, getting my initials on it and checking back to see if anyone had beaten me have lead to recent times, where I’ve fallen head-over-heels for virtual pinball. From the time I first played Pinball FX some eight years ago, I was hooked. I still remember the first time I played the “Buccaneer” table and beat my friend’s score. I never looked back.

In 2010, Pinball FX was given a second iteration on Xbox 360 — Pinball FX2. Everything I enjoyed from the original was there, but now the tables were bigger and more complex than I had ever imagined. In 2014, Pinball FX2 made the leap to the Xbox One and quickly became one of my most played games with over 100 hours played across 60 some different tables. I have written a lot of reviews for Pinball FX2 table packs and individual tables over the years, but I have never made a definitive list of just which tables are my favorites.

Let me rectify that grave injustice and offer up my personal Top 10 list of Pinball FX2 tables. This is probably the most difficult Top 10 list I have ever written, but also, the most rewarding.

#10 – Moon Knight

The “Moon Knight” table is part of the “Vengeance and Virtue” table pack. In my opinion, it is one of the most underrated tables that Zen Studios has ever made. It has a fairly simple layout, yet is one of the first tables I can remember playing where the missions told a story. Looking back now at this table it was a sign of things to come and really raised the bar in terms what pinball fans could come to expect.

#9 – Avengers

“Avengers” from the “Avengers Chronicles” pack is a laid out very well and introduces an interesting new game mechanic. You are able to select a ball that represent different Avenger characters — Iron Man, Thor, Hulk, Black Widow, Captain America, and Hawkeye. Each of the different balls receives different multipliers, bonuses and modes. I still think this is one of the best mechanics Zen Studios has used in any of their pinball tables.

#8 – Star Wars: Might of the First Order

PinballForceAwakens

“Star Wars: Might of the First Order” from “The Force Awakens” is the newest table to make this list. This is another well designed table with a fun assortment of missions. Yet, like the above “Avengers” table, there is one mechanic that really stands out and makes this table unique: the addition of the second playfield. The beauty here is during specific modes and multi-balls both playfields are active at the same time, creating some truly chaotic moments.

#7 – Sorcerer’s Lair

Where “Might of the First Order” was the newest table to make this list, “Sorcerer’s Lair” is the oldest. For a variety of reasons this is one of the tables that I recommend new players to try. First, it’s a pretty easy layout to learn the missions have a good difficulty range. It’s a good table to learn the physics behind virtual pinball as well. It also has the added benefit of being the free table behind the platform. Being free there is really no reason not to give this table a shot.

#6 – Guardians of the Galaxy

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Anytime I talk pinball with someone, I define a good table as one that makes it fun to simply hit the ball around. This is without any regard to missions, multipliers, or needing to hit a certain shot; it’s just fun to play. The “Guardians of the Galaxy” table has a fantastic layout and is extremely easy to get into a flow and chain combos. Add to that story elements, and corresponding missions, this is one of those tables that can be enjoyed by both novice players as well as more experienced players.

#5 – Star Wars: The Clone Wars

The “Star Wars: The Clone Wars” table is part of the original “Star Wars Pinball” table pack. When it was  released I remember knowing nothing about the Clone Wars universe or any of the characters. So, the table took a back seat to the other two in the pack. Yet once I really sat down with it, it quickly solidified itself in my top tables list and hasn’t let go. Featuring a wide array of missions and hurry-up modes along with some really well done story elements, this is another table that both novice and experienced players will enjoy.

#4 – Marvel’s Avengers: Age of Ultron

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The “Age of Ultron” table is one of those sneaky tables that on the surface is easy to learn but challenging to master. As with the other tables on this list, initial table layout is almost perfect. On the surface the flow of the table is smooth and relatively easy to chain combos and make all the required shots.

At the start of each game you can select the table difficulty, which affects the table pitch and subsequently the speed of play. At the higher difficulties this table is extremely fast and certainly ramps up (pun intended) the challenge. Coupled with another dose of  fantastic storytelling, including repeating Tony Stark’s mistake of creating Ultron, there is something here for everyone.

#3 – Portal

When you think of the game Portal, you think of GLaDOS, portals and devious experiments that usually end in your untimely demise. All of that list is present in this table, with more thrown in for good measure. GLaDOS’ constant chatter about how terrible you are? Check. Atlas and P-Body? Check. Obscure references? Check. Experiments involving portals? Check.

The attention to detail and keeping this table true to the Portal name catapulted this table near the top of my list very quickly. There is also a good mic of easy shots and some pretty challenging combinations that are required to advance farther along in the missions. This table has enough cross appeal to lure in those who normally wouldn’t consider playing virtual pinball, but offering enough content to get them to keep coming back and playing.

#2 – Epic Quest

There is a lot to like about the “Epic Quest” table, and by a lot I mean I could go on and on about how awesome this table is. In interest of word count, and trying to keep with the one paragraph per table format I had to shorten it up. This table is the perfect introduction into virtual pinball. Extremely easy design will give confidence to even the most novice players, while offering up big scoring challenges for veteran players.

It also offers up a whimsical take on the heroic knight rescuing the princess. On top of all that, this is basically an RPG wrapped into a pinball skin. You have the ability to upgrade your sword and shield, gain experience, and level up your knight. All that carries over each time you play the table. When I am asked what table I would recommend this one is one that is always talked about.

#1 – World War Hulk

PinballFX2WorldWarHulk

The “World War Hulk” table is part of the “Avengers’ Chronicles” table pack – if you’re keeping track that means 2 out of the 4 tables in that pack are on my Top 10 list. With my glowing praise for the “Epic Quest” table, just what does this one do to edge the previous ones out of the number one slot? Aside from the amazing layout with a plethora of ramps, good voice acting, and a nice and bright playfield. This table is one of – if not the best – in terms of missions and really telling a story.

Hulk has battles against Iron Man (Hulkbuster), Wolverine, Dr. Strange and The Thing but there are also several side missions each requiring different types of shots and ball management. Taken as individual pieces there are probably other tables on this list that do certain things better, but as a whole this table is hands down my favorite.

Conclusion

With all the tables I had to choose from — apart from my top three choices — the above list was more difficult to make than I thought it would be. This is normally the part where I would say honorable mentions and list off another half dozen tables that could have made the list, but I won’t. With all the tables that Zen Studios has to offer, there is quite literally something for everyone.

Price-wise the tables are very affordable. Single tables will cost you $2.99 USD, and a four pack will cost $9.99 USD. Bang for your buck, you’d be hard pressed to find a game that offers as much replay value for your money.

Of course, the real value here is being able to brag to your friends as they try over and over to top your scores on the leaderboards. The best thing about Zen Studios pinball tables though is they are available on virtually every platform. Pinball FX2 is the moniker used on Xbox 360, Xbox One and Windows PC; on PS3, PS Vita and PS4, it’s called Zen Pinball 2, and finally, Zen Pinball on iOS,  Android, and Wii U.

On most platforms you can also try a table before you buy it. For the price of a cup of coffee, you really can’t go wrong in trying a table or two. From Marvel to Star Wars, Fox animated TV shows to The Walking Dead and everywhere in-between, there is a table for everyone… and a spot on the leaderboards for all those who try. Why don’t you take a shot?

Stay tuned to Stevivor for the chance to win some of the tables mentioned above!


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About the author

Andy Gray

From the frozen land of Minnesota, I was the weird kid that begged my parents for an Intellivision instead of an Atari. My love for gaming has only grown since. When I’m not gaming I enjoy ice hockey and training dogs. I’m still trying to get my Elkhound to add to my Gamerscore though, one day this will happen.