Hype Thread: Pinball FX 2

There is just something really special about video pinball. I'm not really sure why I love it so much since I'm no good at it at all. Maybe it is the flashing lights, or the endless barrage of sights, sounds, bumpers, and balls. I do Know one thing though and that is I can't get enough of Zen Studios pinball games. Both the original Pinball FX on XBLA and Zen Pinball on PSN were really fantastic representations of virtual pinball and included some great original tables.

In 2 days, Zen Studios is releasing the newest entry in their series: Pinball FX 2 on XBLA. Pinball FX 2 is actually a free download that allows you to play all your original Pinball FX tables as well as brand new tables that will be available as DLC during and after the time of release.

What makes Pinball FX 2 really special is the community features it is going to include. Using Xbox Live, players will have access to a wizard scoring system, leaderboards, multiplayer, and brand new achievements to earn. It is also going to make use of the Avatar system.

Microsoft wants this to be a platform for Pinball much like Gameroom was "supposed" to be a platform for good retro games and Zen plans on releasing frequent DLC tables. There is even a rumor that a Marvel Comics table is in the works and that sounds totally rad.

I'm hoping that this venture is successful for both Microsoft and Zen Studios and it does not crash and burn like the miserable failure that Gameroom is.

Check it out!