Overview
Pinball FX2 is a free-to-play virtual pinball collection developed by Zen and published digitally by Microsoft for the Xbox 360 on October 27, 2010.
The sequel to the original Pinball FX (and its PS3 counterpart Zen Pinball), Pinball FX2 introduces an updated physics model, new special effects, split-screen simultaneous multiplayer, a new achievement system, global persistent stats, and timed "trial modes" for each table. Although Pinball FX2 itself is free to download, only few versions included complete access to a starter table.
Along with being able to import all purchased tables from Pinball FX for free, Pinball FX2 received a plethora of new downloadable tables (for a total of 78 tables) between its initial 2010 release date and 2017 (prior to the release of its sequel, Pinball FX3). Most of these tables are licensed (and none of them are based on real pinball machines), with most tables being adaptations of the Marvel and Star Wars franchises.
The game later received two versions for the PC: one distributed through the Windows Store (on October 27, 2012) and one distributed through Steam (on May 10, 2013). It was also ported to the Xbox One on August 14, 2014 and received a VR-focused PC spin-off, titled Pinball FX2 VR, on November 29, 2016. The game was later superseded by the 2017 game Pinball FX3, with players able to import most purchased tables for free (and most Pinball FX2 tables available for purchase).
All Xbox One and PC versions were later removed from their respective marketplaces on September 2017 (after the release of Pinball FX3), with the Xbox 360 version de-listed on February 2019.
Gameplay
Pinball FX 2 features both online and offline modes, players can play each table in single player where the main goal is to get the highest score possible by activating the bumpers, ramps, spinners and playing through the table specific Game modes such as the Secrets of the Deep tables Galleon exploration.
The single player mode allows players to add their personal high score to the online leader boards as long as the operator settings are set to default.
There are several multiplayer modes for online and offline play, offline players can play either hot seat mode in which each player takes turns sequentially or split screen in which both players play simultaneously on the same screen which is a first for pinball simulators.
The online mode allows players to play in a ranked or player match over Xbox Live. The ranked mode pits you against a similarly skilled opponent based on your trueskill ranking while player match allows you to either find a random opponent or play against a Friend.
In multiplayer players have infinite balls and must aim to get the highest score either within a set time frame or be the first player to achieve the target score, with the exception of ranked online play which uses a standard rule set, the multiplayer mode allows you to tweak the method of determining the winner.
Superscore and Wizardscore
Within Pinball FX 2 there is a persistent scoring system called Superscore, this is determined by adding together your highest score on each table and rounding it down to the nearest million, so if you had a combined table score of 292,124,201 your Superscore would be 292.
There is also a second scoring system which unlocks rewards as you progress called Wizardscore, Wizardscore is calculated by adding your Superscore to your friends combined Superscore and multiplying this value by the number of tables you have set a high score on. For instance if you have a Superscore of 300, your friends have a combined Superscore of 700 and you own 10 tables your wizard score would be 10,000.
Each table in Pinball FX2 includes three achievements (worth 5, 15, and 30 gamerscore) based on the difficulty of that achievement (which involves a specific goal to perform in that table). Some achievements also have an alternate goal of having a higher score than a certain number of players in the player's Friends List. (3 Friends for 5g, 5 Friends for 15g, and 10 Friends for 30g) The game itself also has avatar awards, which unlock as the player reaches milestones for the "Wizardscore" system (5,000 points for a t-shirt with the game logo on it, and 100,000 points for a male wizard robe and female sorceress dress).
Tables
While the game itself does not include any full versions of the tables (with the exception of the PC version, which includes the Mars table for free), tables can be purchased as either collections or individual tables. The PC version of Pinball FX 2 does not include collections and all tables must be individually purchased.
Any table that can be purchased also includes a free trial version, which can only be played towards a set time limit and does not include achievements, leaderboards, local high scores, or game configurations. Trial versions are not available in the PC version.
Between the initial release of Pinball FX2 and the release of its sequel, Zen has released 78 tables (14 of which were previously found in either Pinball FX or Zen Pinball). Most of the licensed tables were also released as standalone products for mobile devices.
Originals
Throughout the game's lifecycle, Zen has released 21 original tables (with one of them based on another Zen game). 12 of these tables were previously found in either Pinball FX or Zen Pinball.
Pinball FX2 Core
Released alongside Pinball FX2, the Pinball FX2 Core collection includes four tables. Trial versions were included with the Xbox 360 version of Pinball FX2.
For Zen Pinball 2, this collection can only be purchased in a bundle and was also part of the Originals Season 2 Bundle.
- Biolab - Comical "mad scientist" theme.
- Rome - Roman legion theme.
- Secrets of the Deep - Underwater exploration theme.
Pinball FX Classic
Released alongside Pinball FX2, the Pinball FX Classic collection includes the three tables included with the original Pinball FX, along with the DLC table Buccaneer. These tables must be purchased in a bundle and is free for owners of the original Pinball FX. Not available in the Xbox One version and both PC versions.
For Zen Pinball 2, this was also part of the Originals Season 1 Bundle.
- Speed Machine - Based on illegal street racing and car-tuning culture.
- Extreme - Based on extreme sports and skateboarding.
- Agents - Based on secret agents and action movies.
- Buccaneer - Pirate theme.
Individual (Pinball FX)
Released alongside Pinball FX2, these tables are the downloadable tables from the original Pinball FX (with the exception of Buccaneer, which is included in the Pinball FX Classic collection).
- Nightmare Mansion - Horror themed. Not available in the Xbox One version and both PC versions.
- Earth Defense - A sci-fi horror theme based on alien invasion. Features a giant robot toy with fluid movement. Also available for Zen Pinball and Zen Pinball 2. For Zen Pinball 2, this was also part of the Originals Season 1 Bundle.
- Excalibur - Fantasy medieval table based on the legend of King Arthur. Not to be confused with Gottlieb's Excalibur pinball machine. Also available for Zen Pinball and Zen Pinball 2. For Zen Pinball 2, this was also part of the Originals Season 1 Bundle.
Zen Classics
Released on December 12, 2012, the Zen Classics collection includes the four tables that was originally included with Zen Pinball.
- El Dorado - A hunt for the city of gold.
- Shaman - Supernatural-themed table based around a witch doctor performing miracles.
Iron & Steel Pack
Released on February 25, 2015.
For Zen Pinball 2, this was also part of the Originals Season 2 Bundle.
Individual
- Mars - Released on April 20, 2011. Based on a futuristic expedition of the planet Mars. Also available as a downloadable table for Zen Pinball. Complete access to this table was included with the Windows 8 version. For Zen Pinball 2, this was also part of the Originals Season 1 Bundle.
- Sorcerer's Lair - Released on October 12, 2011. Kids fantasy horror theme. Complete access to this table was included with the Steam version. Also available as a downloadable table for Zen Pinball.
- Paranormal - Released on October 26, 2011. Based on paranormal activity and investigations. Not available in the Windows 8 version. Free to download between October 26, 2011 and November 1, 2011. Also available as a downloadable table for Zen Pinball. For Zen Pinball 2, this was also part of the Originals Season 1 Bundle.
- Epic Quest - Released on February 15, 2012. Comical fantasy medieval table with RPG elements and a persistent experience point system. Also available as a downloadable table for Zen Pinball. For Zen Pinball 2, this was also part of the Originals Season 2 Bundle.
Marvel
One of the most prominent brands to have pinball tables in Pinball FX2 is with Marvel. Throughout the game's lifecycle, Zen has released 23 tables based on the license (either based on the comic book franchises or the Marvel Cinematic Universe).
Marvel Pinball
Released on December 8, 2010, the Marvel Pinball collection includes four tables based on franchises from the Marvel license. Also available as a standalone game for other platforms.
- Spider-Man - Also included in the Marvel Pinball Epic Collection: Vol. 1 retail compilation.
- Iron Man - Also included in the Marvel Pinball Epic Collection: Vol. 1 retail compilation.
- Blade - Not available in the Windows 8 version. Also included in the Marvel Pinball Epic Collection: Vol. 1 retail compilation.
Marvel: Vengeance and Virtue
Released on December 14, 2011, the Marvel: Vengeance and Virtue collection includes four tables also based on franchises from the Marvel license. Also available as a downloadable pack for Marvel Pinball.
- X-Men - Not available in the Windows 8 version.
Marvel: Avengers Chronicles
Released on June 20, 2012, the Marvel: Avengers Chronicles collection includes four tables (one based on a recent Marvel film and three based on Marvel crossover comic book storylines). Also available as a downloadable pack for Marvel Pinball.
- The Avengers - Also included in the Marvel Pinball Epic Collection: Vol. 1 retail compilation.
- Fear Itself - Also included in the Marvel Pinball Epic Collection: Vol. 1 retail compilation.
- World War Hulk - Also included in the Marvel Pinball Epic Collection: Vol. 1 retail compilation.
Marvel's Women of Power
Released on September 27, 2016.
Individual
- Civil War - Released on November 21, 2012. Also available as a downloadable table for Marvel Pinball. Also included in the Marvel Pinball Epic Collection: Vol. 1 retail compilation.
- Doctor Strange - Released on December 18, 2013. Not available in the Windows 8 version. Also included in the Marvel Pinball Epic Collection: Vol. 1 retail compilation.
- Deadpool - Released on June 25, 2014. Not available in the Windows 8 version.
- Venom - Released on December 10, 2014. Also included in the Marvel Pinball Epic Collection: Vol. 1 retail compilation.
- Marvel's Ant-Man - Released on July 15, 2015. Not available in the Windows 8 version.
Star Wars
Another prominent brand to have pinball tables in Pinball FX2 is Star Wars. Throughout the game's lifecycle, Zen has released 14 tables based on the sci-fi series (either involving the films themselves or based on prominent characters).
Star Wars Pinball
Released on February 27, 2012, the Star Wars Pinball collection includes three tables based on the Star Wars franchise. It was also released as a standalone product on mobile devices.
Star Wars Pinball: Balance of the Force
Released on October 16, 2013.
- Star Wars: Starfighter Assault
Star Wars Pinball: Heroes Within
Released on April 30, 2014. Not available in the Windows 8 version.
- Star Wars Pinball: Droids
- Star Wars Pinball: Masters of the Force
Star Wars Pinball: The Force Awakens
Released on January 12, 2016.
Individual
- Star Wars Pinball: Rogue One - Released on January 31, 2017.
Other Licenses
Alongside Marvel and Star Wars, Zen has made 20 tables based on other licenses (2 of which were originally from Pinball FX).
South Park Pinball
Released on October 27, 2014, this pack contains two tables based on the animated sitcom South Park. Not available in the Windows 8 version. It was also released as a standalone product on mobile devices and was later removed from the marketplace.
- South Park: Super Sweet Pinball
Balls of Glory Pinball
Released on October 21, 2015, this pack contains four tables based on four animated sitcoms broadcasted by Fox. Each table were also released as standalone products on mobile devices.
Aliens vs. Pinball
Released on April 26, 2016, this pack contains three tables based on the Alien franchise (including one based on the Alien vs. Predator spin-off series). It was also released as a standalone free-to-play product on mobile devices.
Bethesda Pinball
Released on December 6, 2016, this pack contains three tables based on video game series published by Bethesda. It was also released as a standalone free-to-play product on mobile devices.
Individual
- Rocky and Bullwinkle - Released alongside the game (and free to owners of the Pinball FX version of the table). Not available in the Xbox One version and both PC versions. It was later removed from the marketplace.
- Ms. Splosion Man - Released on August 31, 2011. Not available in the Xbox One and Windows 8 versions.
- Plants vs. Zombies - Released on September 5, 2012. Not available in the Windows 8 version.
- Ninja Gaiden Sigma 2 - Released on September 4, 2012 and exclusive to the Xbox One and Zen Pinball 2 versions. Originally a downloadable table for Zen Pinball.
- The Walking Dead - Released on August 27, 2014. Not available in the Windows 8 version. It was also released as a standalone product on mobile devices.
- Portal Pinball - Released on May 27, 2015. It was also released as a standalone product on mobile devices.
- Super League Football - Not available in the Xbox One or Windows 8 version. Was later discontinued.
System Requirements
Minimum
- OS: Windows XP/Windows Vista/Windows 7/Windows 8
- Processor: Single Core CPU @ 1.6GHz
- Memory: 512 MB RAM
- Graphics: GeForce 6600 / Radeon 9800
- DirectX®: 9.0
- Hard Drive: 1200 MB HD space
- Sound: DirectX compatible sound card
Recommended
- OS: Windows XP/Windows Vista/Windows 7/Windows 8
- Processor: Dual Core CPU @ 2.00GHz
- Memory: 1024 MB RAM
- Graphics: GeForce 8800 / Radeon HD 3850
- DirectX®: 9.0c
- Hard Drive: 1500 MB HD space
- Sound: DirectX compatible sound card
- Other Requirements: Broadband Internet connection
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