Slightly flawed but free!

User Rating: 8.6 | 3D Pinball: Space Cadet PC
When you press Start, All Programs, you don't automatically think "Oh, let's have a look at the built in games, they're bound to be good!". But, one of them stands out if you do look

Pinball

You start up the game and it appears in a small window in the middle of the screen, after the rather generic 3D Pinball appears (despite the fact it's 2D, but pre-rendered images of 3D)

No manual to help you through. Well, not a proper one. Once you know the controls, you start playing. After the first few games, you get into the frantically pressing the buttons so the flipper gets that ball into hyperspace, trying to keep yourself under control so you don't accidentally activate the ominous-sounding TILT!

The gameplay is almost everlasting and the permise is simple. But, it is rather complex. The best way for me is just to hit the darned ball!

Graphics are 2D, but are purposeful (and pretty good for 1995). They aren't up to today's standard but aren't garish and horrible. You will probably gorw to love them.

Sound is... OK at best. Just turn it off. The background music is a 7 minute long MIDI job. The in-game whizzes and bangs are better, but can get on your nerves if you are on a losing roll and you're trying to beat 17 million.

Value is very high. You can't get much better than free.

All in all, an addictive little game. Just don't expect it to be up to 2007 standards.