Pinball FX3: Jurassic World Pinball - Nintendo Switch (Review)

Pinball FX3: Jurassic World Pinball (Switch(Reviewed), PS4, Xbox One, Steam)
Developer: Zen Studios
Publisher: Zen Studios
Price: $9.99

Raptors, shaving cream, and Goldblum, oh my!  Jurassic World Pinball is here, bringing with it three new tables, with two of them based on the actual movies.

Before we get into any of the tables, I want to tell you that you really should read the table guides for all three of them.  There is so much to do, if you don't take the time to do this, you will be confused and frustrated.  It will just take a minute, but will make your playtime a hundred times more enjoyable.

The first table we are going to look at is based on Jurassic Park.  Thankfully (unlike Universal Studios Pinball), all of the dialogue is straight from the movie.  I love it when you fail the T.Rex Jeep chase and Laura Dern yells "SHIT! SHIT! SHIIIIT!".  Oh, yeah, there is a bit of swearing in here, so if you don't want your kids to hear it, maybe turn the sound down.

I like the layout of this table, it feels very old school.  It has a bunch of gimmicks that would almost work on a physical table, and I really enjoy that.  The skill shot, however, is probably the most annoying one I've ever had to deal with.  I've yet to be successful at it, and now I don't even attempt it anymore.

The layout, the missions, and the nostalgia for the movie made this table my favorite of the three.

Plus, it has the most Goldblum.  That's pretty much an instant win right there.

Jurassic Park Pinball Mayhem, on the other hand, is my least favorite.  That's not to say I dislike this table, but as a Jurassic Park table, it is not as good as the other two.

It doesn't have a direct tie-in with an actual movie, and that is the biggest downside for me.  I would have enjoyed it more if it was just a generic dinosaur themed table.

Pinball Mayhem also feels much smaller and more frantic than the other two.

This table benefits the most from the table guide.  There is so much going on right out of  the gate with this table, you will be completely lost without at least skimming it.  I made that mistake, jumped right in, and had no clue as to what was going on.

My favorite part of this table is weaponizing the stegosaurus.

Finally, let's take a look at the biggest table of the three: I Don't Wanna Wait Anymore.  No, sorry, I mean Jurassic World.

This table has nearly everything from the movie: pteranodons flying around, raptors to train, mosasaurus snapping your ball from the water, and even Chris Pratt.  And yes, the Indominus Rex is here.

All of the sfx and dialogue (including "I don't wanna wait anymore!" which you will hear.  A lot.) is directly from the movie.  They have forty scenes from the movie on the dot matrix screen in the corner. You can even choose to go through everything in movie order if you want, which is how I played most of the time.  It's a nice option to have.

If this pack didn't have that Jurassic Park table, Jurassic World would definitely be my favorite.

Overall, the Jurassic World Pinball pack would be a great addition to anyone's Pinball FX3 library.

Who doesn't want more Goldblum in their life?

This title was reviewed using a copy supplied by Zen Studios.

Pinball FX3 - Nintendo Switch (Review)

Pinball FX3 (Switch(reviewed), PS4, Xbox One, Steam)
Developer: Zen Studios
Publisher: Zen Studios
Price: Free

Whether you played it as Pinball FX or Zen Pinball, the series of video pinball games from Zen Studios has been one of the best.  I named Marvel Pinball 3D my Nintendo 3DS eShop Game of the Year 2012, so I am very much a fan.

When the title was initially announced for the Xbox One, PlayStation 4, and PC, I immediately asked if a Switch version was in the works.  I was basically told to hold my horses, and took that as a good sign.

Now, shortly after release on the other platforms, the game has arrived on the Nintendo Switch.  I've been playing it for the past few days, with almost half of the available tables, and I have to tell you; if you have the choice, this is the version of the game you are going to want.

Pinball FX3 Hits the Nintendo Switch December 12

After a short delay, Zen Studios has announced that you will finally be able to play Pinball FX3 on your Nintendo Switch on December 12!

They have also released a new trailer that shows off some of the great tables that will be available at launch, and touches on some of the features such as HD Rumble, vertical handheld mode (you can play touch screen or using buttons), and cross-platform tournaments. And as always, the game itself is free to download (this includes a free table: Sorcerer's Lair).


You can find a full list of the tables that will be available at launch below.

Pinball FX 3 Delayed on Switch

Back in September, Zen Studios announced that Pinball FX 3 would be launching that month for Xbox One, PlayStation 4, and PC.  When I asked about a possible Switch release, I was told they were big supporters of Nintendo, and then a few weeks ago, they announced Pinball FX 3 was indeed coming to the Switch on November 14.


Today, however, Zen Studios announced that the game was being delayed to sometime in December.  The new release date will be announced soon.

This announcement kind of stinks, but if something wasn't quite right, I would rather it be delayed than released broken.

I am a huge fan of Zen Studios and their pinball games (Marvel Pinball 3D was my eShop GotY), and I am excited to play this on the Switch, even if I have to wait a few more weeks!

Pinball FX3 Launches on September 26

Zen Studios announced today that Pinball FX3 will be releasing on PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and PC on September 26.  Launching with it is the Universal Classics Pinball pack, which includes three all new tables themed around Jaws, E.T., and Back to the Future, and you can import any compatible tables you own from Pinball FX2/Zen Pinball 2 for no additional fee.  It looks like most of the tables will be available for import, and you can check the full list below too see them all.

When I inquired about the possibility of Nintendo Switch support, Mel Kirk,  Zen Studios Vice President of Publishing, said, "At this time we are focused on PS4, Xbox One, Windows 10 and Steam.  Zen are huge supporters of Nintendo, and will continue to be so."  If nothing else, that keeps me hopeful.