Pinball FX3 ~ Universal Classics (PS4)

Over the years, and throughout the various genres of film making Universal Studios has brought to us some of the most memorable moments in entertainment. From the black & white monster movies of old to the 80's epics such as the ones this pinball DLC exhibits we've been taken in by the nostalgia born thereof as well as the modern day masterpieces that continue to be made in a similar vein, and focus. It is no surprise in light of Universal's longstanding reputation that Zen Studios jumped on board with them to create a new pinball table tribute to their already well established franchises. I think, for the most part the themed choices were well picked, but that some of them were executed more impressively than others. The "Back to the Future" trilogy inclusive table itself sets a new precedent with more interactive features than any other table before it. The "JAWS" table, while mildly representative in it's presentation in regards to the rated "R" source material still holds true the maneater, and iconic sailor who eventually lost his life in an attempt to kill the beast. Lastly, the "E.T." table does good in representing every memorable aspect of the film outside of that one censored brotherly insult (P**** Breath) spouted early on in the film, and understandably so.

Starting with the "Back to the Future" table you'll find the complete trilogy intact in table form. While the base table art, playing field, and stationary features are reminiscent of the first movie in the series things like moving character cutouts, frequently voiced film quotes, and the three main 3D models tied to Doc, Marty McFly, and the famous time traveling DeLorean make a return in proper trilogy tribute form. Something that oddly enough reflects the Universal Studios theme park attraction of the same namesake. You'll find that the table changes presentation on launch encompassing, and including specific move tie-in features that reflect each of the three 'Back to the Future' film's key moments. There's the hoverboard present in the guise of a multiball ball capture as well as character cutouts such as Biff, Marty's father, and even the 8-bit arcade game targets. The main playing field is decorated as if it were frozen at the point where the lightning struck the clock, with an appropriately place bolt of lightning included.

Missions also reflect the trilogy movies in that you'll find them adhering to such events as the rock 'n roll dance party, Marty's hoverboard escape via 3D hoverboarding Marty, Biff's rise to power through Marty's future gambling mistake, and the Doc's wild west predicaments. There are also three different multiball events that can be triggered simultaneously including the Flux multiball, out of time multiball, and the hoverboard multiball. All making for huge jackpot bonuses if you can keep them going. The Flux Capacitor table prop at the center of the playing field acts as a ball capture for one, if not all of the mutliball missions. Also worth noting is the inclusion of the Delorean's digital dashboard where parameters were set in the film for time travel. As you can guess with three movies worth of table scoring opportunities scoring is fairly easily done. The catch is that in each film theme setup the points you score vary making some of them more lucrative than others. Maximizing score will require an understanding of the theme point payouts as well as which missions are the most profitable, points-wise. Other key features in the realm of special effects includes the pinballs with Delorean fire trails, and a flying and time traveling miniature Delorean model.

In descending order we next happen upon the "JAWS" table. It is a virtual mash-up of in-movie elements such as that of the iconic JAWS shark, Quint the foul mouthed and stern sailor, the Amity Island beach village, the boat shown in the final confrontation scenario, a shark cage, and buoy bumpers. The island village buildings adorn the outer wall of the table while Quint's 3D animated model stands, and moves aboard his ship at the upper left-hand side of the playing field. To the right lies the buoy bumpers, and a spin around propeller that sends the pinball back to the lower left side of the playing field when passed through. Also at the lower left side of the playing field, beside the main flippers, lies a captain's wheel which acts as the table's only kickback feature. The middle of the playing field houses art depicting JAWS as well as various maritime baubles that tie-in with the film's seafaring motif. For the most part the center playing field is almost entirely open. A watery abyss covered in two dimensional water art. The back of the table, past Quint and his boat, is the actual 3D water where the 3D model of JAWS swims. Just in front of that lies cutout lanes for the JAWS shark fin that passes by for the skillshot, and other missions.

Speaking of missions, triggering the events seems to be different than previous tables in that the option to choose via the HUD screen is not there, or at least I haven't seen it. My issues with in regards to this, and the table setup in general stem from it's inaccessibility. While it's open, and the few lane entries and targets are in plain, unobstructed view nailing those bad boys are a trial. Scoring big on this table is very difficult, and the only mission I can seem to activate regularly is the shark cage mission in which the shark cage acts as a sort of ball capture. I did, at one point also activate a mission where the 3D JAWS beached up out of the water area on the right as a target that could be hit with the pinball. I know there are 8 different missions that tie into the whole hunting theme that involved the various the boat outings from the film. I think one of the missions is also a night one with the boat, and the nagging Quint in mind. When it comes to Quint's voice-overs his accent is in line with the original actor's. That being said it gets annoying hearing the same one-liners over, and over again while you are trying desperately to score.

The third ,and final table of the set is that of Universal's, "E.T.". The table is adorned with details that incorporate Elliot's bedroom, and toys as well as with aside paneling that captures the forest moments from the film in both the sunset, and nighttime perspectives. Center of the playing field are two prominent features. One being the E.T. inclusive table art, and the other being E.T.'s spaceship which was only briefly shown in the film. The spaceship hovers when triggered by precise target hits, and leaves a sinkhole that once entered will give the player selective access to the several missions that are available via the pop-up HUD. Missions include the famous bike ride escape via a moving, and animated back panel as well as the oddball moment in which Elliot's sister tries to free all the live frog specimens during biology class. There's those key moments captured in mission form as well as an open field tilt-a-maze police escape, candy collecting in the 'Contact' mission', and a 'Halloween' mission which as far as I can tell only requires you to pass around the loop around junction oriented lanes located at the top of the table. The are are four flippers on the table with two being the main ones, and two side center ones in place for some combo action. Scoring on this table isn't hard, and the 'Biology' mission with the frogs in the jars pays out rather handsomely.

The Verdict ...

For a 3 table set I don't think Zen Studios did all that bad. While JAWS, and E.T. wouldn't have been among my top Universal picks I thought they were designed alright with the JAWS table being the only exception due to it's difficult to play setup. The JAWS table for me didn't capture the right character as it's main focus. The table should have either been all about JAWS, or something that incorporated the main trio of actors in their complimentary form. Quint's quotes grew old, and were honestly really annoying. There wasn't much variation in what he said, and JAWS seemed to take a back seat to his very vocal presence. In the way of praise I absolutely loved how Zen Studios made the "Back to the Future" about the entire trilogy of films in that movie series. It enriched the table so much that I can't remember any table before it providing more variation. E.T. also hit home as a decent tribute table I could both enjoy, and score big on. With the "Biology" mission included it ranks as the easiest table to score high on of the bundle. In closing I'll say that this is a reasonable purchase for any Zen Studios pinball fan. Even with the JAWS table falling short of being spectacular the other tables are enough to warrant a purchase.