Microsoft Pinball Arcade
Microsoft Pinball Arcade is a pinball simulation video game that recreates seven classic tables manufactured by Gottlieb, spanning from the flipperless designs of the 1930s to advanced multiball machines of the 1990s.[1] Developed by Mir Dialogue and published by Microsoft, it was released on December 15, 1998, for Microsoft Windows, with a port following in 2001 for the Game Boy Color by developer Saffire and publisher Classified Games.[2][3] The Game Boy Color version includes adaptations of five of the original tables due to hardware limitations. The game emphasizes authentic physics, period-accurate sounds, and visual details to mimic real arcade experiences, including features like multi-player support on later tables and bonus sub-games.[4] The included tables are Baffle Ball (1931), Humpty Dumpty (1947, introducing flippers), Knock Out (1950), Slick Chick (1963), Spirit of '76 (1976, with a spinning Liberty Bell), Haunted House (1982, featuring dual playfields), and Cue Ball Wizard (1992, a billiards-themed multiball table).[2] These selections highlight the evolution of pinball technology, from early counter-based games to sophisticated electronic designs with licensed music and voice effects.[5] Upon release, the title received mixed reviews for its faithful recreations but was critiqued for lacking innovative gameplay beyond simulation, earning an average critic score of 60%.[2]Gameplay
Included Tables
Microsoft Pinball Arcade features faithful digital recreations of seven classic pinball tables, all originally manufactured by Gottlieb, spanning over six decades of pinball history from 1931 to 1992. These tables were selected to showcase the evolution of the game, from early mechanical designs to advanced solid-state systems, with pre-rendered 3D graphics, realistic physics simulations, and authentic sound effects that closely mimic the originals. The recreations maintain the original playfield layouts, scoring mechanisms, and special features, such as multiball modes where present, allowing players to experience the historical gameplay without physical hardware.[3][6] The following table summarizes the included tables, their original release years, and key thematic elements:| Table Name | Year | Manufacturer | Thematic Elements |
|---|---|---|---|
| Baffle Ball | 1931 | Gottlieb | Abstract skill game with numbered pockets; no flippers |
| Humpty Dumpty | 1947 | Gottlieb | Nursery rhyme characters; introduction of flippers |
| Knock Out | 1950 | Gottlieb | Boxing match simulation |
| Slick Chick | 1963 | Gottlieb | Playboy-inspired bunny motif; emphasis on nudging |
| Spirit of '76 | 1975 | Gottlieb | American Bicentennial celebration |
| Haunted House | 1982 | Gottlieb | Gothic horror with multiple playfields |
| Cue Ball Wizard | 1992 | Gottlieb | Billiards and pool hall theme |