The Twilight Zone tv sequence was fairly a success again within the early Sixties, to the purpose the place it’s been revived twice since then. Even a real-world pinball desk based mostly on the TV sequence got here to fruition at one stage, which has now acquired the improved digital therapy by Zen Studios for Pinball FX. It’s the Williams Pinball: Twilight Zone desk and it’s time to see whether or not this basic providing has crossed over efficiently.
The Twilight Zone desk was first launched in 1993 below the Bally publishing arm and was a part of the SuperPin vary. Designed by Pat Lawlor – identified for desk creations reminiscent of The Addams Household, Safecracker, and FunHouse – Twilight Zone is a widebody machine, permitting more room on the playfield to incorporate gimmicks and toys. Absolutely, a desk that’s completely filled with concepts goes to be an excellent addition to the Pinball FX library, proper?
Nicely, the general structure doesn’t do the Williams Pinball: Twilight Zone desk any favours as a result of it truly is fairly full of lanes, ramps, bumpers, and flippers. There are two units of flippers right here you see, as the extra two are in place greater up in an effort to whack the ball in direction of these components that may ordinarily be exhausting to succeed in. It’s far too simple to lose the ball nonetheless, typically as a result of it hitting a caught out edge which normally diverts the trajectory in direction of the hole between the flippers. There’s additionally a kick-out gap that fires the ball again at you with excessive velocity, which is pretty troublesome to foretell when it comes to timing.
On the plus facet although, Twilight Zone is filled with options. Most of those are displayed on the centre of the decrease playfield, surrounding the notorious door seen within the opening credit of the TV sequence. There are fourteen panels to mild up and efficiently doing so will provoke the Wizard Mode. Some required duties to finish the panels might be powerful reminiscent of capturing particular targets just like the clock and the orbit, whereas others are merely a case of reaping rewards for a restricted time as soon as a panel characteristic commences. Whichever you’re trying, these are the most effective methods to rack up these large scores.
Sadly, what you gained’t discover are any duties or aims which can be overly thrilling or adventurous in comparison with the unique ideas created by Zen Studios. There’s a neat concept involving the inclusion of a Powerball, which is lighter than the typical ceramic ball and zippers across the desk at some pace. In any other case, don’t count on an excessive amount of innovation; simply bear in mind the Twilight Zone desk is three many years outdated.
For followers of The Twilight Zone, it’s nice to listen to a snippet of the immediately recognisable theme tune at first of proceedings and see little references hidden within the art work. It’s additionally quite cool {that a} 3D mannequin of Robby the Robotic – the sci-fi icon who appeared in quite a few episodes – has been built-in into the improved model of the desk. To be honest, the visible results and enhancements actually add to the expertise and inject a bit extra enjoyable into the desk.
Williams Pinball: Twilight Zone for Pinball FX is undoubtedly a basic that’s pretty fulfilling to play, nevertheless it undoubtedly emphasises amount over high quality with reference to options. Whereas the door-related aims present a comparatively easy – however welcome – path to excessive scores, in comparison with the trendy choices the concepts are underwhelming. The benefit during which a ball is misplaced to the drain, due to the structure, isn’t nice both. I do really feel although that the tie-ins to the TV present and the elective fashionable enhancements will pave over a number of the potential downsides not less than.
Given the steep value level at just below a tenner, it’s exhausting to advocate the Williams Pinball: Twilight Zone desk for Pinball FX to anybody besides ardent followers of the TV present or these with love for the basic machines.
