Zen Studios has faced its share of challenges transitioning Pinball FX3 over to the Nintendo Switch, and the latest installment, Pinball FX – Williams Pinball Volume 8, doesn’t break that streak. One common query might be, “Wait, where’s Volume 7?”—it’s noticeably absent from the Switch lineup. So, you may wonder how this new set of tables performs. The answer? It’s a bit of a mixed bag.
Let’s dive into these tables by starting with Black Knight 2000, the standout of the pack. Despite what its name might suggest, this table debuted in 1989 as a sequel to the 1980 classic, capturing the spirit of that era perfectly. Its vibrant colors and flashing lights transport me straight back to childhood arcade days, even if I wasn’t lucky enough to play it then. But it’s the music that truly captures the era’s essence with 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.” The table presents a learning curve that’s compelling enough to keep you coming back, as you aim to hit drop targets, ramps, and rack up impressive high scores.
Moving on, we have Banzai Run, one of two machines from designer Pat Lawlor included in this collection. Honestly, I lean more toward his ’90s creations like Funhouse, Addams Family, and No Good Gophers. The motorcycle theme doesn’t quite resonate with me, but what’s more disappointing is the way the table’s layout feels underutilized. While I appreciate the table’s vertical playfield concept, it ends up leaving a lot of empty space, making it unappealing and a bit dull. Add an unsmooth experience (possibly a problem unique to the Switch?), and I find myself disinclined to sink virtual quarters in an attempt to master it. It’s unique, sure, but lacks the addictive quality you’d hope for in a pinball table.
Then there’s Earthshaker, probably the easiest table in this set for scoring high. Its multiball feature is particularly notable (the sustained HD rumble it triggers on the Switch is quite something!). Is it a bit of a gimmick? Maybe, but within the theme of earthquakes, it adds a fitting sense of immersion. Beyond that, Earthshaker is a solid, average offering, likely appealing most to newcomers to pinball. Just ensure you’re not using a third-party controller that lacks rumble, or you’ll miss out on part of the experience.
So, with this trio, Williams Pinball Volume 8 serves up an uneven experience. Black Knight 2000 delivers vintage ’80s thrills, but at a price of $14.99, you’d hope for each table to pack a similar punch. Earthshaker’s big selling point is its HD Rumble, while Banzai Run feels like a “growing pains” project—sparse and struggling to operate smoothly on the Switch. It might be worth adding this pack to your wishlist for a future sale, or perhaps sticking with what you know works in Pinball FX3 is a safer bet.
