Pinball Evolution by 4Pockets

What would a Windows Mobile device be without gaming applications? All work and no play. Gaming applications range from fantasy role playing to sports to puzzles to nonsense. 4Pockets Software has developed Pinball Evolution ($14.95) and has taken on the tremendous task of offering a gaming application worthy of the classic arcade game for your Windows Mobile device. Can 4Pockets create a gaming application that will challenge the Pinball Wizard in all of us?

Pinball Evolution is available for both the Windows Mobile Standard and Professional devices. For this review, I’m using the Motorola Q9h.

There were no problems associated with the installation of Pinball Evolution and I was hitting flippers in no time. Be forewarned that the volume of Pinball Evolution is preset to “on” and the only caveat on getting started on the game is not to begin play for the first time in a library, church, or other environment where silence is sacred. Should you try the game out for the first time in, say, an office setting you will be scrambling for the game settings to turn off the sound. The game’s sound effects definitely do the original arcade games justice.

Graphically, Pinball Evolution is just as pleasing. My only issue with the graphics of the game is that I had to get used to the scrolling play. As your pinball moves up the table, the screen scrolls to follow it. This is also one of the games strengths in that it allows for more detail in the pinball table. This isn’t an issue of concern, just something you may have to get used to. I had no problem with the Motorola Q keeping pace with the game and I didn’t experience any lag time with the graphic movements.

Game play is just as straight forward as the original arcade game. You send your pinball up the launcher and try to keep the ball in play with a series of flippers. Pinball Evolution does allow you to configure gaming controls to better suit your personal preferences. Pinball Evolution not only allows you to control the flippers and launcher but you can set controls to simulate tilting the machine.

Pinball Evolution includes three different table styles that include pipes, platforms, zoom around loops, warps, smash targets, fly-through spinners, bounce off bumpers and other features any pinball table would have. Again, the graphics for Pinball Evolution represents the original game very well.

Overall Impression

Pinball Evolution ($14.95) is a highly addictive game for Windows Mobile devices. Game play is smooth but has a fast pace to it. Graphically, Pinball Evolution is very pleasing and flows smoothly. The play itself often mirrors the fast pace of the real game, offering a challenge to keep pace with the pinball.

The only weakness was getting used to the scrolling screens but this is also one of the games strengths. In using a scrolling atmosphere, the game can afford to have more detail to it. The alternative would be to shrink the gaming table to fit on the screen, reducing the level of detail.

If you are looking for a classic arcade game that is highly addictive, Pinball Evolution should make your short list. It’s easy to get consumed by this game and before you know it, hours have passed by and you find your WM device’s battery alert going off.