Epic Pinball

Moby ID: 263

Description official description

Epic Pinball is a pinball video game played from a 2D top-down view within a scrollable window. The game was distributed on floppy disks in three separate packs of 4 tables each:

  • Pack 1 (Android, Pot of Gold, Excalibur, Crash and Burn)
  • Pack 2 (Magic, Jungle Pinball, Deep Sea, Enigma)
  • Pack 3 (Cyborgirl, Pangaea, Space Journey, Toy Factory)

The shareware version of the game (and an early retail version) included only the original "Android" table (later versions contained an updated version called "Super Android"). Some tables were available as a separate releases as well as in much bigger compilations.

Each table has up to four flippers, giving the player the possibility to control the ball uniquely during the game. The tables are themed, making each table individual on its own way.

Groups +

Screenshots

Promos

Credits (DOS version)

14 People (9 developers, 5 thanks)

Design
Programming
Music / Sound Programming
Graphics / Artwork
Music
Pot of Gold Design
Thanks Also To
Consultant
Producer
Support

Reviews

Critics

Average score: 88% (based on 9 ratings)

Players

Average score: 4.0 out of 5 (based on 51 ratings with 5 reviews)

Brought addictive pinball to the PC masses.

The Good
For pinball fans, Epic Pinball was a godsend - the fast-scrolling screens were a big improvement over the tiny screens of older PC games. The variety of pinball tables made for hours of enjoyment - if you got bored with one table, there were many more. Some tables like Deep Sea and Pangaea had excellent pixelled graphics.

The Bad
Even if "nostalgia" tables like Magic were reflective of gameplay at their time, they did get quite dull to play after awhile. I at least credit Epic for putting them in. Also, the music is perhaps a little "cheesy", at least compared to what the PC MOD-scene was creating at the time of its release.

The Bottom Line
If you've ever played the classics Pinball Dreams or Pinball Fantasies on the Amiga (or their PC ports), you will find Epic Pinball comparable. All these games have demoscene roots. Somehow, I just haven't found the more recent "3d-rendered" Windows pinball games as enjoyable, probably since they take a step backward in that the table doesn't move.

For the record, Epic developed two other pinball games: Silverball, similar to Epic Pinball except a commercial release, and Extreme Pinball, a sequel of sorts which was also released commerically (expect reviews for these two games in the future).

DOS · by Andy Voss (1861) · 1999

The best pinball I've played

The Good
As the title says, this is what I consider to be the best pinball on computer. The majority of the tables are fantastic to play, and do not become tired after many plays. The high number of tables is a joy, and is good to see variation between them. Different themes, a few 'vintage' tables, the Enigma table, etc. As well as this, the graphics and music are very high quality.

The Bad
There are a few bugs with the game, if bug is the right word to use. A few of the tables (in particular 'African Safari' and 'Space journey') are difficult to play because the ball is lost far too easily. When I play, the ball is lost regularly after just a few seconds because of bad placement of objects. Also, the bumpers bounce way too hard. This isn't that much of a problem, but can be a bit annoying.

The Bottom Line
Even though a few of the tables are a bit difficult to play, there is still so much here that it is one of my favourite games. Great table design!

DOS · by Adam Holman (3) · 2005

The only pinball game I own and enjoy

The Good
Big tables with great personality each one (that girl table really has some nice personality eh?) nice music and great physics, my favourite table was 'The Android' you had to bring it to life by hitting some spots in the table, really innovative and original.

The Bad
Some of the tables are a bit silly and the ball-launching game was the same as the tilt key, some times it sucked getting your table accidentally tilted...

The Bottom Line
Im not an expert in pinballs but if you are a pinball maniac you should like Epic Pinball a lot.

DOS · by Depth Lord (934) · 2004

[ View all 5 player reviews ]

Trivia

Artwork

Artwork for the tables Space Journey and Toy Factory was done by a member of the demo group Future Crew.

OEM version

Acer used to package Epic Pinball in their early to mid 90's desktop PCs. It came with three tables: Toy Factory, Space Journey, and Pangaea.

Registered version

The floppy disk 'registered version' does not contain Epic Pinball Pack 3.

Shareware version

The original Shareware version lets you play only the Android table, although all of the others are included on the menu. Selecting the other tables shows them, but tells you to contact Epic to access them.

Information also contributed by Andy Voss, Brandon Odorn and Garcia

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  • MobyGames ID: 263
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Contributors to this Entry

Game added by Tomer Gabel.

Additional contributors: Patrick Bregger.

Game added September 6, 1999. Last modified January 17, 2024.