CGRundertow MARVEL PINBALL 3D for Nintendo 3DS Video Game Review

No one does pinball video games like Zen Studios, and this week, they’ve brought a good one
to the Nintendo 3DS. Lots of bonuses, lots of secrets and lots of spandex.
It’s Marvel Pinball 3D. Because, see...they all wear spandex.
Now, we reviewed the console version way back in 2010, and as with so many Zen pinball games,
we liked it quite a bit. Coming back to it almost two years later on the 3DS, we’re
reminded why we liked it. This is an awesome game of pinball with a fun Marvel theme. That
said, it’s a little more fun on consoles.
Marvel Pinball 3D comes with four separate pinball tables. You have tables based on Iron
Man, the Fantastic Four, Captain America and Wesley Snipes...I mean, Blade. As you’d
expect, each table has its own unique design and is filled with all kinds of crazy missions
and secrets.
The game plays really well on the 3DS. The shoulder buttons control the paddles,
and that’s really all there is to it. The only problem I really had with this version
is the way the pinball table is only shown the top screen. It kind of squishes everything
into this tight space, so the tables look small and the ball is sometimes hard to see.
It’s understandable, since the bottom screen doesn’t do 3D, but still...tiny balls.
That said, the 3D effect makes a huge difference. It makes everything look much sharper and
even more clear, as it’s a lot to easier to discern things when they’re in stereoscopic
3D. In fact, I’d say Marvel Pinball 3D is one of the rare games where there’s a huge
improvement going from the 2D graphics to 3D.
It just looks awesome.
In terms of game modes, you have single player games with local and online leaderboards...but
you also have hotseat play, which has you passing the 3DS from friend to friend in a
sort of hot potato multiplayer mode. That said...obviously, there’s
not a ton of modes here. And along with only four tables, its eight dollar price tag is
something to think about.
Zen Studios has done a nice job of bringing their fantastic Marvel Pinball game to Nintendo’s
new portable. The thing is, it is a little better on consoles. But if you’re a fan
of comics and pinball and you’ve never played this before, Marvel Pinball 3D should be at
the top of your eShop wish list. Otherwise, keep the eight dollars.
Buy some spandex.