latest
8 best pinball games on Android in 2024
From genre mashups to classic tables, there’s something for everyone on the Play Store
Modern pinball has been around since the 1940s when Gottlieb hit upon the idea of adding flippers to its popular tables. What began as simple electromechanical novelties made up of switches and levers has evolved into computer-controlled marvels with complex tables and full-color video.
Welcome to the latest entry in our Bonus Round series, wherein we tell you all about the new Android games of the day that we couldn't get to during our regular news rounds. Consider this a quick update for the dedicated gamers who can't wait for our weekly roundups, and don't want to wade through a whole day's worth of news just to get their pixelated fix. Today we've got an odd game about crowd control, a fantastic twist on the Lemmings puzzle-platformer genre, a completely free narrative-based point-and-click adventure, an enjoyable arcade game about diving, a magical twist on pinball, and a new auto-play MMORPG themed after MU Online. Without further ado:
Welcome to the latest entry in our Bonus Round series, wherein we tell you all about the new Android games of the day that we couldn't get to during our regular news rounds. Consider this a quick update for the dedicated gamers who can't wait for our weekly roundups, and don't want to wade through a whole day's worth of news just to get their pixelated fix. Today we've got a delightful 2D Metroidvania title, a unique chatroom adventure game, a gorgeous puzzle game that the entire family can enjoy, a unique sensory deprivation game, a casual arcade game where you get to put your wrestling skills to the test, and a new pinball collection game from Zen Studios. Without further ado:
Zen Studios is well-known for its pinball games of popular franchises, such as Portal, Marvel, The Walking Dead, and Star Wars. The company is back with another one entry to the series now, themed by game developer Bethesda titles.
Android Police's bi-weekly roundups have covered more than 750 games this year. That's a hell of a lot for a site that's not specifically about gaming, and picking out the top five is no small task. Before you read any further, take note of the following: I had a few criteria that games had to meet before being included in the following selections.
You think you know pinball, right? There are hundreds of variations on the game, thousands of themed layouts to freshen up the experience, and millions of dollars in IAPs to unlock this ball or that theme or that bonus. But PinOut is different, and the first sign is that it comes from the same guys that gave us Smash Hit, Does Not Commute, Granny Smith, and other beautifully and thoughtfully designed games: Mediocre.
Welcome to the latest entry in our Bonus Round series, wherein we tell you all about the new Android games of the day that we couldn't get to during our regular news rounds. Consider this a quick update for the dedicated gamers who can't wait for our bi-weekly roundups, and don't want to wade through a whole day's worth of news just to get their pixelated fix. Today we have a new licensed pinball game from Zen, a stylish take on Minesweeper, two retro-inspired platformers, another Sparke "life" game, a simplified brawler, and a connect-the-dots puzzle game. Without further ado:
Are you a fan of cartoons produced, owned, and distributed by Fox Broadcasting Company? Hey, then it's your lucky day—well, unless you don't like pinball. Zen Pinball now has tables based on Bob's Burgers, Archer, Family Guy, and American Dad.
After Star Wars, Marvel, and The Walking Dead, it seems like just about any property is fair game for Zen Studios' expanding pinball franchise. The latest addition is South Park, Comedy Central's foul-mouthed animated show now in its 18th season. As usual with Zen Pinball expansions, you can get the two new 3D tables as either a stand-alone paid app or as in-app purchase expansions to the original game. The separate app is $4, or each table is $2, so it works out the same.
Is your relationship with family and friends a little too good? PinWars can take care of that by taking a nice game of pinball and turning it into a super-competitive button-mashing frenzy. It does look neat, though.
Sony knows you like playing pinball, but they also know you tend to reach for the volume rocker after you launch the ball into the first bumper and it sets off a cacophony of sound. They know that all that pinball experience needs to be perfect is background music that overpowers those obnoxious pinball sound effects. So they've brought in hits from rock bands both new and old to provide the soundtrack for Pinball Rocks HD, an experience Sony's pitching as the loudest pinball game ever. It's well-rated on iTunes, but now that it's available on Android, it's really ready to rock.
If you're the kind of fan that absolutely must have a Star Wars version of everything in your life, then grab your officially licensed Ahsoka Tano phone case and head for the Play Store. Zen Studios, makers of the well-received Zen Pinball HD, have released their Star Wars-themed pinball app, creatively titled Star Wars Pinball. It's a reasonable $1.99, but unfortunately restricted to Android 4.0 devices and above, and thus tragically off-limits to the Special Edition R2-DROID2.
The arcade may have killed the pinball star, but like the Rubik's cube or the Slinky before it, pinball machines have refused to disappear. Pinball Arcade, from Farsight Studios, brings back several classic pinball tables from major players in the pinball industry. Each table also comes with a brief description of its history.
On Friday we told you about the arrival of Pinball HD for Tegra devices, but if that just wasn't your cup of tea where pinball is concerned, then you'll be happy to know that ZEN Pinball THD will become part of the Tegra Zone family soon. ZEN Pinball is a port from the popular Playstation 3 game of the same title, and this will be its first venture into the mobile world.
A couple of weeks ago we highlighted three upcoming games for Tegra devices, and the first of the trio - Pinball HD - will officially land today. Pinball HD is an iOS port from game developers Gameprom, and brings a new school twist to an old school game.