Balls of Steel

About

"Balls of Steel" is a pinball game with 7 tables, including 5 classic ones and 2 new ones themed after Atari's Centipede and Missile Command. The game features keyboard, gamepad, or mouse controls and has been updated to run on modern PC hardware. The objective is to score points by hitting targets and completing specific tasks on each table.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Local Multi-Player Play with friends in the same physical space using split-screen or multiple screens
2-Players Play with one other player, either online or locally, in a cooperative or competitive game mode
Multi-Player Compete or cooperate with other players online
Single-Player Play through the game's story or campaign solo
PvP Player versus Player - Fight against other players in real-time, often in arena-style combat
Split Screen Play with multiple players on the same screen, often with divided or shared screen real estate

48%

Audience ScoreBased on 54 reviews

graphics4 positive mentions

stability6 negative mentions

The game offers a nostalgic experience for fans of the original 90s pinball game, with some enjoyable classic tables.
The two new tables, Centipede and Missile Command, provide a fresh addition to the gameplay, appealing to fans of Atari's classic arcade games.
Despite its flaws, the game is still considered one of the more enjoyable pinball experiences available on PC, especially for those who appreciate retro gaming.

The game suffers from significant technical issues, including crashes and poor controller support, making it frustrating to play.
Key features from the original game, such as the Duke Nukem table and customizable options, are missing, leading to disappointment among long-time fans.
The visual presentation is poorly executed, with tables appearing small on the screen and a lack of scaling options, resulting in a subpar gaming experience.

graphics
16 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
25%
56%
19%
The graphics in the game are generally appreciated for their designs, colors, and visuals, particularly the side art that resembles arcade cabinets. However, players note a lack of animation and graphical options, which makes the tables feel basic and less engaging. Additionally, the small screen size and absence of scrolling detract from the overall visual experience, leading to a sense of similarity among the tables.
- “I just have an ultra wide and I had expected graphical options to play a modern version without the need to down resolution.”
- “The graphics are nice in this game and the sound is nice too.”
- “And while I like the designs, colors, and visuals as well as the side art (these are made to look like their respective arcade cabinets are next to them), unlike the original tables, these aren't animated and to be fair, while this doesn't ruin them, it feels like these new tables are basic.”
- “The screen on the games is far too small and the graphics options are literally non-existent.”
- “I just have an ultra-wide monitor and I had expected graphical options to play a modern version without the need to downscale the resolution.”
- “Default number of balls is 5, which will lead to long play sessions, maybe too long, because the tables, while graphically decent, are kind of similar with fairly basic sounds and music (where is the music?).”
stability
8 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
25%
75%
The game's stability has received mixed reviews, with the 2014 release noted for running smoothly at 95%, experiencing only minor glitches that occasionally require a restart. However, the current version is described as very buggy, indicating a decline in stability compared to its predecessor, despite some users reporting good performance on platforms like the Steam Deck.
- “I have been playing on the Steam Deck and it runs great; I just remapped all the controls to the keyboard.”
- “The Darkside table is very buggy.”
- “The 2014 release of the game ran 95% smoothly, with mild glitches making up the other 5%. These glitches would occasionally require a small restart or resulted in visual bugs, but that was it.”
- “The 2014 release had a custom-made program loader that allowed it to run extremely smoothly, with the emulation being almost perfect except for a few small visual glitches.”
music
6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
17%
33%
50%
The music in the game features original and remixed tracks from Duke 3D, including contributions from voice actor John St. John, which adds a nostalgic touch. However, some players feel that the overall sound design is basic and lacks variety, leading to a somewhat repetitive experience during extended play sessions.
- “Keycards, power-ups, and even original and remixed music from Duke 3D (specifically Hollywood Holocaust). Even better, John St. John recorded new voice lines for this; his voice is featured in a multitude of the other original tables, such as a soldier in Darkside or the professor in Mutation as well.”
- “The default number of balls is 5, which leads to long play sessions, maybe too long, because the tables, while graphically decent, are kind of similar with fairly basic sounds and music. Where is the music?”
- “The default number of balls is 5, which leads to long play sessions, maybe too long, because the tables, while graphically decent, are kind of similar with fairly basic sounds and music. Where is the music?”
- “The default number of balls is 5, which leads to long play sessions, maybe too long, because the tables, while graphically decent, are kind of similar with fairly basic sounds and music. Where is the music?”
optimization
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
50%
The game lacks adequate optimization for PC, with users expressing a desire for improved controls and settings. It is primarily designed for desktop play or Steam Deck in desktop mode, but does not effectively cater to modern virtual pinball standards. Overall, the optimization appears outdated and in need of enhancement.
- “I'd like to see some better PC optimization options and controls as well.”
- “Basically, this is an old school virtual pinball game, the kind we saw for years on consoles and early PC games, and it's best played on desktop or on the Steam Deck in desktop mode, not optimized or seemingly even acknowledging current virtual pinball.”
gameplay
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Gameplay is generally unaffected by the lower bit rate of the sound effects, which, while dated, do not detract from the overall experience. However, the presentation has been criticized as subpar.
replayability
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
150%
150%
Reviewers note that while the pricing of $9 for 7 tables is reasonable, the lack of additional options and features limits the game's replayability. Enhancements in these areas could significantly improve the overall experience.
- “The variety of tables available keeps the gameplay fresh and encourages multiple playthroughs.”
- “Each table offers unique challenges and mechanics, making it fun to revisit and master them.”
- “The game’s dynamic features and unlockable content provide a strong incentive to replay.”
- “The game offers only 7 tables for $9, which is decent pricing, but it lacks options and features that could significantly enhance the replay value.”
- “While the pricing of $9 for 7 tables is reasonable, the absence of additional options and features really limits the game's replayability.”
- “The limited number of tables and missing features make it hard to justify replaying the game after the initial experience.”