iPad Game Review: Pinball Dreams

   Many of you know, that there are 2 computers that will always hold a special place in my heart. One is the Commodore 64, and the Commodore Amiga line of computers. The Commodore 64 was the computer that I first cut my teeth on. Learned to program BASIC and operated my first BBS (The Rats Den), using a 20MB and then 105MB hard drive. Which in 1990 and on a Commodore 64 was an unheard amount of storage. The games were simple, yet challenging, and in some ways the playability easily rivals todays games.   Who can deny the fun of inviting 8 of your friends
over to play Summer or Winter Games by Epyx?

In 1992 I was able to purchase a Commodore Amiga 500, then later a 1200, and then an Amiga 2000 and migrated my BBS to the Amiga platform. One great thing about the Amiga was the abundance of great games available many being ahead of their time. Take for instance a title by 21^st Century Entertainment. Pinball Dreams.   Now computer based pinball games have been around, Windows NT 4.0 even came with one. However no other game on any other platform could come close to the features, and playability of Pinball Dreams. The graphics, music, and sound were milestones! Real time ball calculations where very close to the real thing. It was a jaw dropping moment when I actually managed to get the ball stuck, and had to “tilt” the machine to continue playing. Many hours were spent after school trying to beat my own high score. Even the girlfriend enjoyed playing.

Imagine my surprise to discover that Pinabll Dreams, and it’s successor Pinball Fantasies had been ported to the iPad!!   The game was quickly purchased, and a steal at $3.99. The original Amiga Game was around $40.00.

The opening music was just as I remembered and all 4 tables have been recreated. Ignition, Steel Wheel, Beat Box, and Graveyard! Graveyard was the table I usually played the most.. I liked the music and the sound effects the best. There are 2 new playing styles; instead of just the standard vertical scrolling you now have the option of having a panning and scrolling play field as if you were playing a real pinball machine.

if you are an Amiga devote, or a fan of computer based pinball. I highly recommend you check these games out in the iTunes App Store!