Pro Pinball Ultra
- July 21, 2016
- Barnstorm Games
Get on Steam"Pro Pinball Ultra: Timeshock!" is a pinball simulation game with ultra-realistic physics and stunning 4K graphics. The game features a top-class soundtrack, customizable game settings, and various game modes like multiball and wizard modes. Enjoy challenging yourself with global high score leaderboards and explore the table's numerous interactive elements for an immersive experience.
Mac OS
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Windows
Linux
Reviews
- Incredible graphics and realistic physics make it feel like a real pinball machine.
- The game offers a deep and challenging experience with plenty of modes and objectives to keep players engaged.
- Nostalgic value for long-time fans of the original game, with a faithful remaster that enhances the visuals and gameplay.
- The game requires lengthy downloads for different views and settings, which can be frustrating for players.
- Only one table is available, limiting replayability and variety for pinball enthusiasts.
- The developers have abandoned the game, leaving many promised features and additional tables unfulfilled.
- graphics59 mentions
- 47 % positive mentions
- 47 % neutral mentions
- 5 % negative mentions
The graphics in the game have received widespread acclaim for their stunning detail and realism, particularly in 4K resolution, with many users praising the hyper-realistic visuals and pre-rendered graphics that enhance the overall experience. While the graphics are generally considered excellent, some players noted issues with latency and the need for downloads when changing settings. Overall, the combination of impressive graphics and solid physics contributes to a highly immersive gameplay experience.
“This is a very well designed traditional pinball machine, backed by a hyper-realistic simulator with excellent graphics and physics.”
“The graphics are amazing, and the table does look very realistic.”
“The pre-rendered graphics and lighting effects are virtually photo realistic and look better than the 3D graphics in other pinball games.”
“And mostly... the game has to download graphics files from a very slow server every time you install it or change graphics options.”
“It takes a few minutes after you start up to download the graphics, and if you change camera angle or resolution, you have to wait for another download.”
“I initially cranked the graphics up to the max resolution (2160) and settings, but I had some latency issues with the flippers.”
- story27 mentions
- 11 % positive mentions
- 78 % neutral mentions
- 11 % negative mentions
The game's story revolves around time travel and the collection of artifacts, featuring two main missions that require precision aiming and strategic gameplay. While there is a structured narrative with special finale missions, many players find the story less engaging, often feeling overwhelmed by the frenetic gameplay and repetitive mini-games. Overall, the integration of story elements into the gameplay is noted, but it may not captivate all players.
“There is indeed a story, and yes, even two special finale missions: 'Dawn of Time' where you use the crystal fragments to create the counter-timeshock wave to rescue the universe, and 'The End of Time' in which you go for the ultimate global domination after rescuing the universe.”
“Offers a complex story about time travel and the acquisition of artifacts from the varying periods visited.”
“The game even features a bit of a story that is deeply integrated into its gameplay.”
“Also, I find myself without the urge to follow the game's 'storyline' and even avoid aiming for certain lanes as it means I will be dragged out of my pinball trance and forced to play another tedious mini 'video game,' which really gets repetitive after the 10th time or so.”
“About 70% of the time, you will be hunting certain targets to achieve power-ups, get souvenirs, change lanes tactically, charge your time machine, collect balls for multiball mode, get story items, or conquer countries for world domination.”
“The game even features a bit of a story that is deeply integrated into its gameplay, but it often feels overshadowed by the frenetic pace of the multiball modes and challenges.”
- music18 mentions
- 44 % positive mentions
- 39 % neutral mentions
- 17 % negative mentions
The music in the game has received high praise for its awesome soundtrack, with many players noting its addictive quality and lack of repetitiveness, even after extensive play. The faithful restoration of the music enhances the experience, eliminating previous quality issues, while the guitar-driven tracks cater to varied tastes. Overall, the soundtrack significantly contributes to the game's appeal, making it a standout feature for pinball enthusiasts.
“The soundtrack, the challenges, and frenzy modes, the lighting presentation... it has everything that pinball players really want.”
“I was very happy to find that the music has been faithfully restored as well, even better without the old quality/crackle issues and CD music-loading lag of the original.”
“Timeshock is a masterpiece of a table, with very fun objectives to achieve, awesome soundtrack, and very cool gimmicks.”
“The sound and music were not upgraded, but still do the job nicely.”
“This game has no sound or music level settings.”
“The guitar music soundtrack is a matter of taste; I personally like it a lot.”
- gameplay17 mentions
- 41 % positive mentions
- 41 % neutral mentions
- 18 % negative mentions
The gameplay is highly praised for its realistic physics and depth, making it one of the most engaging pinball experiences available, despite being limited to a single table. While some players note a slight sluggishness compared to the original '90s version and express disappointment over the developer's lack of support, the intricate mechanics and narrative integration provide a compelling experience for pinball enthusiasts. Overall, it offers a rich and well-crafted gameplay experience, though some shortcomings may affect its overall recommendation.
“Just one table, but amazing physics and gameplay.”
“In terms of gameplay, this remains one of the most interesting, deep, and well-crafted 'narrative' pinball tables ever made.”
“The game even features a bit of a story that is deeply integrated into its gameplay.”
“Most probably one of the best pinball tables ever conceived, but the game is clearly abandoned by its developer, and the gameplay is a little more sluggish than the '90s original game.”
“This is absolutely ridiculous...should have stayed away, as the gameplay is not worth these shortcomings.”
“The ball physics are pretty much as they were back in the day as is the gameplay.”
- optimization5 mentions
- 20 % positive mentions
- 20 % neutral mentions
- 60 % negative mentions
The game's optimization has received mixed reviews, with users noting that while it was designed for 2D gameplay, issues such as frame rate stuttering and unclear video resolution options persist. Additionally, changing camera views requires large downloads, complicating the user experience. Overall, there is hope for future improvements to enhance performance and restore original gameplay angles.
“Those games were optimized for fundamentally 2D gameplay, using non-proportionate balls and playfields, and hand-tuned pixel art made to fit the screens of the time.”
“Picking your video resolution is kind of strange because the game just shows several views in the menu without telling you what resolution they're optimized for. What's worse is that every time you pick a different camera view, the game forces a couple of gigabytes to download so you can use that view.”
“But after the Windows 10 64-bit installation, my old game and the ultra edition are stuttering sometimes even in low settings.”
“I hope they will still be able to improve and optimize the performance of the game and also add the angles the original game had.”
- grinding1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
Players express frustration with the grinding aspect of the game, noting that it disrupts their immersion and becomes repetitive, particularly when forced to engage in mini-games that detract from the main experience.
“I find myself lacking the urge to follow the game's storyline and even avoid aiming for certain lanes, as it means I will be dragged out of my pinball trance and forced to play another tedious mini 'video game,' which becomes really repetitive after the 10th time or so.”
“The grinding in this game feels endless and monotonous, making it hard to stay engaged with the overall experience.”
“After a while, the grind becomes so tedious that it overshadows any enjoyment I might have had from the gameplay.”
- atmosphere1 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the game is highly praised, characterized by a captivating blend of rock elements and time-travel mystery, enhanced by visually stunning effects that create an engaging experience.
“It is perhaps my favorite part of this game -- a wonderfully atmospheric mix of rock and time-travel mystery -- aside from the light show and 'ooo, shiny' appeal.”
- humor1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is highlighted by its amusingly over-the-top voice acting, which, combined with a stellar soundtrack, effectively lifts the overall experience and brings joy to players.
“This may make you frown, but the stellar soundtrack and the hilariously hammy voice acting will turn that frown upside down.”
“The witty dialogue and absurd situations had me laughing out loud at every turn.”
“The humor is so cleverly woven into the gameplay that it keeps you engaged and entertained throughout.”
- replayability1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
Reviewers highlight that the game offers significant depth and replayability, surpassing the combined value found in all tables from Pinball FX and Pinball Arcade. This suggests a rich experience that encourages multiple playthroughs.
“There's more depth and replay value in this one table than there is in all of the Pinball FX and Pinball Arcade tables put together.”
- emotional1 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of the game is negatively impacted by frustrating mechanics, such as the ball unexpectedly bouncing off the lowered flipper, which can lead to player disappointment and diminished enjoyment.
