Zen Studios has encountered some challenges moving from FX3 to the Nintendo Switch, and their latest release, Pinball FX – Williams Pinball Volume 8, continues this trend. If you’re wondering about “Volume 7,” well, it hasn’t made it to the Switch. So, how do these three tables stack up? As it turns out, the results are rather mixed.
Let’s dive into the standout table first: Black Knight 2000. Despite the name, this table actually dates back to 1989 and is a sequel to the 1980 classic Black Knight. It vividly captures the essence of its era, with vibrant colors and flashing lights that teleport me back to my arcade days, even though I didn’t quite encounter this one back then. The music is the real star here, with catchy lyrics like, “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.” This table isn’t a walk in the park initially, but that’s part of its charm. You’ll find yourself hooked, mastering drop targets and ramps, chasing after that elusive high score.
Next up, we have Banzai Run, one of the two creations by Pat Lawlor in this collection. Personally, I’m more of a fan of his work from the ’90s—titles like Funhouse, Addams Family, and No Good Gophers. The motorcycle motif doesn’t really rev my engine, but what’s more troubling is the layout. The vertical playfield is an interesting concept, but it leaves too much unused space, resulting in a table that’s visually uninteresting and not particularly thrilling to play. The experience on the Switch isn’t as smooth as I’d hope—could the stuttering be a Switch-specific issue? With all this in mind, I don’t find the motivation to improve my skills on this one, despite the uniqueness it presents.
Earthshaker rounds out the trio, and it’s perhaps the easiest to score big on. The multiball feature is a highlight, and I’ve never felt the HD rumble of my Switch quite like this. Sure, it borders on gimmicky, but it ties in nicely with the earthquake theme, adding a touch of immersive realism. Beyond that, it’s a solid, if not groundbreaking, table—perfect for pinball newcomers. Just ensure you’re using a controller with rumble features; otherwise, you’re missing out on a tactile experience.
Altogether, Williams Pinball Volume 8 delivers an uneven batch of tables. Black Knight 2000 embodies that quintessential ’80s excitement, but with a price tag of $14.99, you’ll want all the tables to offer comparable enjoyment. Earthshaker’s standout feature is its HD Rumble, while Banzai Run feels like a step back, with its sparse layout and performance hiccups on the Switch. It might be wiser to wait for a sale on this pack or continue enjoying Pinball FX3.
