Zen Studios is having a bumpy ride while trying to move from FX3 to Pinball FX – Williams Pinball Volume 8 on the Nintendo Switch. It’s curious that Volume 7 is missing, and while the reason is it hasn’t made its way to the Switch, the next logical question is, how do the tables in Volume 8 stack up? Let’s just say it’s a bit of a mixed bag.
Kicking off with the highlight of the set, Black Knight 2000 stands out. Despite its futuristic-sounding name, this table made its debut back in 1989, following the original 1980 version. Its vibrant colors and flashing lights have this nostalgic pull right back to those arcade days, even if I didn’t cross paths with it back then. But it’s really the music that captures the era perfectly, complete with catchy lyrics proclaiming, “You’ve got the power (ha ha ha ha ha), you’ve got the might (no way), get ready for battle (give me your money), beat the black knight.” There’s a bit of a learning curve with Black Knight 2000, yet it keeps you hooked, challenging you to nail drop targets and ramps while chasing that high score.
Banzai Run is the other offering from Pat Lawlor’s creative genius in this set. I usually lean more toward his iconic ’90s designs like Funhouse and Addams Family. The motorcycle theme here doesn’t quite do it for me, and the way the playfield is laid out is a bit disheartening. Though it’s a novel idea, centering the action vertically leaves much of the table blank, making it a snooze visually and gameplay-wise. The added hiccups in performance—unique to the Switch, perhaps—dissuade me from spending time to get the hang of it, even if it’s just virtual quarters at stake. The table is certainly unique from a conceptual angle, but its replay value is lackluster.
Now, Earthshaker is where newbies might find joy due to its friendliness towards achieving high scores. Its standout feature is the multiball, which is something when you consider the extensive HD rumble on the Switch. Gimmicky? Sure, but it jives well with the earthquake motif. At the end of the day, it’s a standard table, most likely resonating with those dipping their toes into the world of pinball. Just ensure you’re not using a third-party controller that skips out on rumble—you’ll lose a chunk of the experience.
With three diverse tables, Williams Pinball Volume 8 provides an inconsistent experience. Black Knight 2000 delivers a solid dose of retro fun, but when you’re shelling out $14.99, the hope is for all the tables to offer equal enjoyment. Earthshaker banks on its HD Rumble feature, while Banzai Run feels like a table still finding its feet—sparse and struggling on the Switch. If you’re tempted, perhaps add it to your wishlist for when it goes on sale, or maybe just stick with the good old Pinball FX3 for now.
