Zaccaria Pinball
- June 16, 2016
- Magic Pixel Kft.
Get on Steam"Zaccaria Pinball" is a pinball simulation game that lets you play high-detailed replicas of classic Zaccaria pinball tables. The game features VR support, online multiplayer, and customizable physics. The Time Machine table is free, while other tables can be played in trial mode with a score limit. Additional tables can be purchased as DLC. The game offers accurate physics, original sounds and rules, and different game modes to suit various playstyles.
iPad
iPhone
Mac OS
Nintendo Switch
PC
Phone
Playstation 4
Windows
Xbox One
Android
Linux
Mobile Platform
PlayStation
Tablet
Xbox
Reviews
- Very good recreations of original pinball tables with great attention to detail and realism.
- The game offers a large variety of tables and customization options, making it enjoyable for both casual and hardcore pinball fans.
- Works well in VR mode, providing an immersive experience that captures the essence of classic pinball.
- The game has been in early access for years, leading to concerns about lack of updates and unresolved bugs.
- There are significant issues with compatibility on various systems, particularly with AMD GPUs, causing crashes and performance problems.
- The user interface is considered clunky and could use improvement, making navigation cumbersome for players.
- graphics25 mentions
- 36 % positive mentions
- 52 % neutral mentions
- 12 % negative mentions
The graphics in the game are widely praised for their stunning visuals, excellent lighting, and impressive physics, creating a nostalgic yet modern aesthetic that captures the essence of classic pinball tables. However, some users have reported issues with AMD GPUs and graphical artifacts on certain platforms, indicating that while the graphics are generally high-quality, performance may vary depending on hardware. Overall, the game offers extensive customization options for graphics settings, enhancing the visual experience further.
“The graphics, lighting, sound, and physics are all superb.”
“The artwork on these tables -- and in the game in general -- is gorgeous, a fantastic fusion of 70s/80s neon and graphic design with modern computing power.”
“These pins tend to be old school designs but capture the period very well with beautiful artwork and lighting.”
“Note: this game has issues with AMD GPUs; the game stopped launching tables on my desktop, so I have to play this on Steam Deck (which still has graphical artifacts).”
“Just be warned that right now the game is in early access, and unless you're a real pinhead looking for a fix, you'll probably get frustrated very quickly with the constant tweaking of the graphics and physics engine.”
“While the physics and the graphics are good, the tables are quite boring and simplistic.”
- gameplay18 mentions
- 28 % positive mentions
- 56 % neutral mentions
- 17 % negative mentions
Gameplay in this pinball experience is characterized by a mix of unique achievements and table-specific mechanics, with modern tables offering a balance of fun and challenge, while retro and electro-mechanical tables may appeal more to enthusiasts of pinball history than to casual players. The variety of gameplay modes and customization options enhances engagement, although some players feel that modern designs prioritize aesthetics over skillful play. Overall, the physics and sound design are well-executed, contributing to an authentic pinball experience, despite the simplicity of some tables.
“The mechanics work very well and the sounds are very realistic too.”
“The amount of different gameplay modes and customization options are second to none.”
“The different game modes are fun and vary the gameplay a bit.”
“The reward tables are what you would get for a 'home' pinball game (like half price over an arcade model, no detailed game mechanics).”
“My personal opinion is that modern tables have sacrificed skillful gameplay for flashy fluff.”
“These are not the most complicated tables you'll play, or the most unique in gameplay, but what they lack in those areas they make up for in presenting an excellent picture of the evolution of solid state pinball tables and provide arguably a more authentic 'classic' pinball experience than the more complex (and, admittedly, arguably more important) titles featured in the pinball arcade.”
- story6 mentions
- 17 % positive mentions
- 33 % neutral mentions
- 50 % negative mentions
The game features a story mode that includes various missions and extras, encouraging players to explore different tables. However, activating a mission restricts point earning to mission-specific goals, which some players may find limiting. Overall, it offers a rich content experience, though technical issues like paddle functionality in VR have been noted.
“A very good pinball game that provides a lot of content with the use of various missions to encourage players to explore a wide array of tables.”
“When you activate a mission, it stops you from earning points outside the mission goal.”
“Starting a mission usually involves hitting a specific target or ramp, and all other targets stop awarding points.”
“The story mode feels disconnected from the gameplay, making it hard to stay engaged.”
- music5 mentions
- 20 % positive mentions
- 20 % neutral mentions
- 60 % negative mentions
The music in the game is generally considered lacking, with players expressing disappointment in the remakes and deluxe machines for not delivering improved soundtracks. While the mechanics and sound effects are praised, the new menu music fails to capture the charm of the original, and the limited musical elements in the tables detract from the overall experience. However, the nostalgic digitized speech adds a unique flavor that some players appreciate.
“The mechanics and sound effects sound great, and the digitized speech matches the original samples, adding to the flavor.”
“The only negative point I can think of has to do with the music and sound.”
“I would expect more from the remakes, or at least the deluxe machines, in terms of sounds, voices, and music.”
“Tables feature little in the way of music, but the mechanics and sound effects sound great, and the horrible digitized speech you just know matches the original samples only adds to the flavor.”
- monetization4 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 25 % neutral mentions
- 75 % negative mentions
The monetization model in Zaccaria is criticized for being unclear and confusing, leading to frustration among users who feel it may be intentionally designed to obscure the true cost of spending. This lack of transparency raises concerns about the overall fairness and effectiveness of the monetization strategy.
“I can't figure out the monetization and that's a huge red flag.”
“The game's monetization is clear as mud and in my perception built to confuse people.”
“I don't know if the monetization for Zaccaria is purposefully obtuse so that spending money doesn't feel as if a lot of money is wasted (it's an actual science, did you know?) or if the same person who worked on the UI is also responsible for coming up with the monetization model.”
- optimization2 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- -50 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The game's table simulation is generally smooth, though some users report frame rate stuttering, particularly near the lower end of the tables. The interface is a mixed experience, favoring touch screen optimization with large icons that could be more elegantly designed, yet it remains functional and easier to navigate than the previous interface.
“The interface is a mixed bag, with an obvious leaning toward touch screen optimization on menus and large, unwieldy icons in place of what could have been far more elegant lists and drop-down menus. However, it's usable and feels better to navigate than the new TPA interface, even if it's about equally unattractive.”
“The table simulation itself is flawless; however, there are some tables where I have experienced frame rate stuttering, particularly when the ball is near the lower table end.”
“The interface is a mixed bag, with an obvious leaning toward touch screen optimization on menus and large, unwieldy icons in place of what could have been far more elegant lists and drop-down menus. It's usable and feels better to navigate than the new TPA interface, but it's equally unattractive.”
- replayability1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -500 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
The game offers enhanced replayability through its challenge modes and campaign, providing unique goals for players to pursue. However, some users find the balance of these goals questionable, leading to concerns about the level of control players have in achieving them.
“The challenge modes for each table, along with the campaign mode, add significant replayability and unique goals, though some of the goals may feel oddly balanced, leaving you to question how much control you have in completing them.”
“The variety of game modes and challenges ensures that every playthrough feels fresh and engaging, encouraging players to return for more.”
“With multiple paths and choices available, each playthrough offers a different experience, making it hard to put the game down.”
“The challenge modes for each table, as well as the campaign mode, add additional replayability and unique goals. However, some of the goals seem oddly balanced, making you question how much control you actually have in completing them.”
“After finishing the main story, I found little incentive to replay the game. The side quests feel repetitive and don't offer enough variety to keep me engaged.”
“While there are multiple endings, the differences between them are minimal, which diminishes the motivation to replay the game for a different experience.”
- stability1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The game is praised for its stability, with users noting that it runs smoothly and is free of significant bugs.
- humor1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Players find the humor in the game particularly amusing due to its excessive number of achievements, which adds a lighthearted and absurd element to the gameplay experience.
“This game has like 5000 achievements, which is hilarious.”
“The humor in this game is top-notch, with clever jokes and witty dialogue that kept me laughing.”
“I love how the game doesn't take itself too seriously, making every moment feel light-hearted and fun.”
