Pinball Dreams

Title           Pinball Dreams
Publisher       21st Century Entertainment Ltd (1992)
Game Type       Sport
Players         1-8
HD Installable  HD-Patch: aminet:game/patch/pdreamhd.lha
Compatability   Old versions: non-AGA  so use HD-patch;
                Patch for 040/060 - aminet:game/patch/pdreampatch.lha
Demo            aminet: game/misc/PinBallDreamDe.lha
Submission      Dennis Smith  Profiled Reviewer

Review
Pinball Dreams was an enormous success; not only did it top the Amiga
best-sellers lists, it's also responsible for selling a sizeable number of
Amigas at the same time. But what was it that made the game so different
from other pinball games? Attention to detail: Pinball Dreams emulated the
real pinball feeling like no game before it. The ball's response is so
much more realistic, the layout of the tables is carefully thought out and
tied to the theme of the table - many previous games had been little more
than a deluxe bagatelle. So careful were Digital Illusions to catch the
real pinball feeling that the beautifully drawn tables (especially
considering the colour limitation) even depict the screws that might
conceivably be holding the table together. Add to this the great sound
effects, the ability to give the table a quick shove (but not too much or
you might affect the tilt sensors) and you've got a real classic.  Unlike
any previous game, you could really believe that there might be real
pinball tables just like the four in Pinball Dreams.

The four tables featured are 'Ignition', based around rocketing about the
solar system, 'Steel Wheels', with a steam train theme, 'Beat Box', about
topping the music charts and 'Nightmare', with a horror theme.  As you can
see, this offers a very wide variety.  The tables play very differently too
and each can keep you occupied for many hours.  'Steel Wheels' and 'Beat
Box' are the weaker of the four tables, but only because 'Ignition' and
'Nightmare' are so very addictive, indeed 'Nightmare' is one of the best
pinball games you're likely to find.  And unlike Dreams' earlier
competitors, you can play any table you like; you don't need to achieve any
special scores on one table to get to the next.

A real pinball experience with no need to keep shoving fifty pence pieces
into a slot - it's no wonder it had such popularity. It laid down a very
high standard for pinball games, but it wasn't very long before it was
challenged by another strong contender - its sequel, Pinball Fantasies,
appeared later that same year, and the third in the trilogy, Pinball
Illusions, took simulation to new levels in 1995.

Alphabetical list.