Skip to main content

Pinball M

Zen Pinball takes us away from the bright lights of the standard pinball venue and sends us to the dark basement to play the grizzly horror themed tables of our nightmares.
Pinball M Game Cover
81%Game Brain Score
graphics, gameplay
stability, optimization
78% User Score Based on 558 reviews
Critic Score 96%Based on 1 reviews

Platforms

Nintendo SwitchXbox Series X|SPCPlaystation 5Playstation 4Xbox OneXboxWindowsPlayStation
Buy NowGet on Steam Buy NowGet on Xbox Games Store
Pinball M Game Cover

About

Pinball M is a single player and multiplayer arcade simulation game with horror, mystery and thriller themes. It was developed by Zen Studios and was released on November 30, 2023. It received overwhelmingly positive reviews from critics and mostly positive reviews from players.

"Pinball M" is a horror-themed pinball game with a variety of tables to choose from, including the eldritch horror-inspired "Wrath of the Elder Gods: Director’s Cut," the twisted and menacing "Chucky's Killer Pinball," the frightening fusion of classic pinball and horror in "Dead by Daylight™ Pinball," and the action-packed "Duke Nukem's Big Shot Pinball." The game offers thrilling competition and a realistic pinball simulation. Additional tables are available as purchasable DLC.

Genres & Tags
Play Modes
Pinball M screenshot
Pinball M screenshot
Pinball M screenshot
Pinball M screenshot
Pinball M screenshot
Pinball M screenshot
Pinball M screenshot
Pinball M screenshot
Pinball M screenshot
Pinball M screenshot
Pinball M screenshot
+3
Skip User Reviews

78%
Audience ScoreBased on 558 reviews
graphics18 positive mentions
stability9 negative mentions
  • The game features a variety of horror-themed tables, including popular franchises like The Thing and Chucky, which are well-designed and engaging.
  • There are numerous customization options for tables, allowing players to personalize their experience and unlock various rewards through gameplay.
  • The game offers a free table with hours of content, and the overall gameplay is addictive and enjoyable, especially for horror fans.
  • Many players experience significant input lag with the flippers, making the game frustrating and difficult to play effectively.
  • The game has a limited selection of tables at launch, and some players feel that the DLC pricing is too high for additional content.
  • The forced tutorial and intrusive UI elements can detract from the overall pinball experience, making it feel overwhelming for new players.
  • graphics
    41 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The graphics in this game are widely praised for their high production quality, detailed artwork, and immersive themes, particularly when played on high-end hardware. Many users appreciate the customization options and the vibrant visuals that enhance the overall gaming experience, although some have noted issues with performance and frame rates at higher settings. Overall, the graphics are considered a standout feature, contributing significantly to the game's appeal compared to its competitors.

    • “The tables and play areas fit the theme well and are very detailed; the soundtrack is on point, the graphics are great, and there are lots of customization options for the tables, play areas, and the profile.”
    • “The graphics and physics are top-notch, delivering satisfying gameplay we've come to expect from Zen Studios.”
    • “Terrific mood, tight arcade action, beautiful visuals.”
    • “It's not like the graphics look all that much better than the FX3 tables.”
    • “The graphics are no longer making any progress in this genre; why can't we make the table really cool but at the same time clear?”
    • “Lags intensively when set to high graphics; the PC should be able to handle it.”
  • gameplay
    41 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The gameplay of the pinball game is characterized by a blend of engaging mechanics, customization options, and impressive graphics, making it enjoyable for both casual and dedicated players. While it offers nostalgic appeal and smooth performance, some reviews note a lack of innovation compared to competitors, with certain tables being overly challenging due to steep angles and punishing mechanics. Overall, the game successfully combines classic pinball elements with modern features, providing a satisfying experience for fans of the genre.

    • “Fantastic gameplay on my virtual pinball cab and my arcade cab.”
    • “The gameplay is engaging and full of surprises, with clever mechanics that keep you on your toes.”
    • “Its unique atmosphere, interesting gameplay mechanics, and demanding gameplay are refreshing additions to the genre.”
    • “However, compared to its peers like 'Pinball FX3', it lacks the same innovative mechanics and immersive graphics.”
    • “Drawing parallels to classic pinball titles, Pinball M excels in nostalgic appeal but lacks innovation in gameplay mechanics.”
    • “All the tables seem extremely steeply angled and it's extremely challenging to get more than a minute or two of solid gameplay before going through your 3 balls.”
  • story
    24 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game's story aspect is characterized by a mix of engaging missions and a progressive narrative that unfolds as players complete challenges, although some reviewers noted that the story feels underdeveloped and somewhat flimsy. The integration of cinematic themes and strong graphics enhances the experience, making players feel connected to the narrative, despite some frustrations with mission progression. Overall, while the story adds depth to the gameplay, it could benefit from more robust development.

    • “The challenges, campaign missions, and personality the tables bring with the new features make these tables feel more fleshed out.”
    • “Each play-through made me feel like I was part of a movie, trying to save my friends and following the movie's plot with every hit of the ball.”
    • “These campaigns are simply an ever increasingly difficult series of challenge mode missions with a flimsy bit of narrative setting it up so as you progress through the missions, a bit of a story unfolds.”
    • “Strong graphics, yet the story feels underdeveloped.”
    • “These campaigns are simply an ever increasingly difficult series of challenge mode missions (like how quickly can you get x score or how much can you score with 1 ball on a table without the lights, etc.) with a flimsy bit of narrative setting it up so as you progress through the missions, a bit of a story unfolds.”
    • “My fault with the table is in its progression from one mission to the next.”
  • music
    18 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The music in the game has received high praise for its thematic fit and quality, enhancing the overall immersive experience with a fantastic soundtrack and atmospheric sound effects. Players appreciate the customization options that allow them to tailor the audio to their preferences, while the production quality is noted as exceptional, contributing to the game's engaging dynamics. Overall, the music significantly elevates the enjoyment of the gameplay, making it a standout feature.

    • “The soundtrack is on point, the graphics are great, and there are lots of customization options for the tables, play areas, and the profile.”
    • “I really love the music, theme, and table layout a whole bunch.”
    • “The soundtrack is fantastic! It comes with ray tracing & DLSS options, and all in all, the visual/audio presentation here is top notch.”
    • “Music, and repetitive voice over lines, etc. this is where the customisation's really come in handy.”
    • “I quickly eliminated voices, music and sound effects which really helped.”
    • “Plus the atmospheric music!”
  • atmosphere
    12 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The atmosphere in the game is widely praised for its immersive and creepy qualities, enhanced by effective use of ray tracing and sound effects. While most tables deliver a strong atmospheric experience, some, like the Texas Chainsaw Massacre table, are noted as lacking in depth and engagement. Overall, the game's attention to lighting, sound, and visual details contributes to a unique and captivating ambiance that stands out in the pinball genre.

    • “Great use of ray tracing; it adds a lot to the atmosphere in this variation of Pinball FX, although it can be hard to run without aggressively enabling an upscaler.”
    • “I love the creepy atmospheres and the sound effects.”
    • “Because of the atmosphere achieved—lighting, sound, game modes, and customization options—I dare say that they are the most carefully crafted pinball machines that Zen has created to date.”
    • “This table isn't 'bad' per se, it's just quiet and bland. I would add some extra VFX or a new ambient track because for some reason the atmosphere doesn't land, unlike every other table.”
    • “The upgrades are really cool, not only in the form of masteries but also the visual stuff in the tables and the surrounding area, like steam coming out of vents and green atmospheres.”
    • “Because of the atmosphere achieved, lighting, sound, game modes, and customization options, I dare say that they are the most careful pinball machines that Zen has created to date.”
  • stability
    11 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game's stability is heavily criticized, with users reporting frequent glitches, crashes, and input lag that hinder gameplay, particularly with the free pinball table "Wrath of the Elder Gods." Many players find the physics engine unreliable, making it difficult to achieve high scores and enjoy the experience. While some minor UI bugs exist, the overall consensus is that the game is currently unstable and not recommended until significant fixes are implemented.

    • “The game looks and runs great, but that doesn't matter if you can't time your shots due to delay.”
    • “For some reason, HDR kills my system (screen blackouts, HDMI signal loss, and whatnot - literally the only game having these issues) but runs great without.”
    • “It's too much hassle troubleshooting DLCs repeatedly to make the game playable.”
    • “With that being said, I cannot recommend this game until they have fixed their free pinball table, as I believe their physics engine could also be plagued with glitches that may seem subtle, but I assure you, they make it very difficult to achieve those master high scores and challenges when the game is prone to glitch on you, making it an unstable game to play on to even begin with for being a virtual pinball game.”
    • “I wanted to like this game, and the general idea and design is good, but the physics glitches and input lag make it unusable.”
  • optimization
    9 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Overall, the game's optimization has received mixed reviews, with some users reporting significant performance issues, particularly on less powerful hardware and the Steam Deck, while others have noted that it runs well without problems. Many players desire more video/display settings and joystick customization options, indicating that the current optimization could be improved. The game's menu performance has also been criticized for being laggy compared to similar titles.

    • “Optimizations using Unreal Engine 4 are also left to be desired, especially on less powerful cards and Steam Deck.”
    • “PSA: The game is optimized and runs well on Steam Deck.”
    • “Also, it could use some optimization and would be nice if it had a few more options for video/display settings, as well as an option to customize joystick controls.”
    • “Shoddy optimization by lazy developers keeps this game from being anything but a positive experience.”
    • “Optimizations using Unreal Engine 4 are also left to be desired, especially on less powerful cards and the Steam Deck.”
  • replayability
    8 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game boasts exceptional replayability, with users highlighting its fun and engaging design that encourages repeated playthroughs. Various themes and challenges, along with downloadable content, enhance the experience, making it particularly appealing for pinball enthusiasts and fans of horror and shooter genres. Overall, players consistently rate the replay value as high, indicating a rich and varied gameplay experience.

    • “Unlimited replayability.”
    • “Good table design, themes, and effects, basically never-ending replay value.”
    • “High-energy virtual pinball fun with excellent replay value and DLC built for horror fans and boomer shooter consumers alike!”
    • “Good table design, themes, and effects; basically never-ending replay value.”
    • “Certainly a learning experience, so it's got a lot of replayability. Every table really changes how the game works, especially in Dead by Daylight, where you can choose from 4 survivors and the trapper with 3 perks (still don't know what anything does though, lol).”
    • “Replay value: A+”
  • monetization
    3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Players appreciate the monetization model, noting that it primarily involves purchasing additional tables, which enhances the gameplay experience. Many are willing to watch advertisements to unlock content, highlighting the game's focus on rewarding players through gameplay rather than aggressive monetization tactics. Overall, the monetization approach is seen as fair and supportive of player engagement.

    • “This is a great game with tons of customization and unlockables through gameplay. The only monetization is buying these awesome tables.”
    • “The monetization model is fair and doesn't hinder the gameplay experience, allowing players to enjoy the game without feeling pressured to spend.”
    • “I appreciate that the game offers plenty of content for free, with optional purchases that enhance the experience without being necessary.”
    • “I don't mind watching advertisements several times to unlock another table, but it feels excessive.”
    • “The monetization strategy is frustrating; it feels like the game is designed to push players into spending money.”
    • “It's disappointing that progress is often locked behind paywalls, making it hard to enjoy the game without spending.”
  • emotional
    3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Players find the emotional aspect of the game engaging, as it immerses them in a cinematic experience filled with horror elements and suspense. The sense of urgency in trying to save friends enhances the emotional connection, making each play-through feel like a thrilling narrative journey.

    • “Each play-through made me feel like I was part of a movie, trying to save my friends and following the movie's plot with every hit of the ball.”
  • humor
    2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The humor in the game is highlighted by its clever use of the Unreal Engine's built-in VR support, which adds a layer of comedic irony to the experience. Players find the integration amusing, enhancing the overall enjoyment of the game.

    • “How funny!”
    • “It's funny because the Unreal Engine comes with VR support already built-in.”
Skip Critic Reviews

96%Critics’ scoreBased on 1 critic reviews
Skip Game Offers

Buy Pinball M

2h Median play time
4h Average play time
1-9h Spent by most gamers
*Based on 3 analyzed playthroughs
Skip Videos

Videos

Skip Games Like Pinball M

Games Like Pinball M

Pinball FX3 Image
83%3.1kreviews

Pinball FX3

2017Arcade Simulation
Nintendo SwitchXbox Series X|SPC+9
Zaccaria Pinball Image
76%1.2kreviews

Zaccaria Pinball

2025Casual Racing
Nintendo SwitchAndroidPlaystation 4+13
Pinball Arcade ImagePinball Arcade ImagePinball Arcade Image
73%2.7kreviews

Pinball Arcade

2013Casual Simulation
Playstation 3Nintendo SwitchXbox 360+18
Zen Pinball ImageZen Pinball ImageZen Pinball Image
83%17.5kreviews

Zen Pinball

2009Action
Playstation 3TabletAndroid+3
RWBY: Grimm Eclipse Image
71%6.9kreviews

RWBY: Grimm Eclipse

2016Hack and Slash
Xbox Series X|SPCPlaystation 5+6
More games like Pinball M
Skip FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions

Pinball M is a arcade simulation game with horror, mystery and thriller themes.

Pinball M is available on Nintendo Switch, Xbox Series X|S, PC, PlayStation 5 and others.

On average players spend around 4 hours playing Pinball M.

Pinball M was released on November 30, 2023.

Pinball M was developed by Zen Studios.

Pinball M has received overwhelmingly positive reviews from players and overwhelmingly positive reviews from critics. Most players liked this game for its graphics but disliked it for its stability.

Pinball M is a single player game with multiplayer and local co-op support.

Similar games include Pinball FX3, Zaccaria Pinball, Pinball Arcade, Zen Pinball, RWBY: Grimm Eclipse and others.