"The Only Space Cadet Is You If You Play This Game! *rimshot*"

Space Cadet Pinball is, as the name implies, a pinball game. The problem is, it's not a particularily good one. The lack of exciting pinball action negates the fact that it's completely free, and included with a lot of different versions of Windows.

Traditional pinball action rules the table in Space Cadet. VERY traditional. Meaning, only one game screen for the entire game type of traditional. This drastically cuts down on the replay value - nothing really changes, no matter how good you get.

Not that getting good matters. My ten year old sister routinely tools the game, and that's by constantly jamming on the flipper buttons. The center pit is not nearly wide enough, and the flippers are too strong to be used skillfully, even if you tried.

The actual point-scoring in the game is lackluster too. Nothing in the game results in an ear-shattering explosion with huge point totals and bright flashing lights. Anything over five hundred thousand is considered a good score. That is grossly out of whack with much more popular pinball games.

The scoring places are also in weird positions; bumpers are located only at the very top of the table, and in a secret ramp. Both are very insufficient, and far too hard to get into. Almost all of the point scoring therefore has to come from hitting ramps, which don't even do anything special. They just shoot the ball back at your flipper.

Graphically, Space Cadet Pinball is a bit darker than you'd like to see from a typical pinball table. Parts of the table are not illuminated enough. Lighting is critical for a pinball game - you need to be able to see the ball at all times.

The sounds are typical of a low-budget game. There's the expected bells and whistles, which are more annoying than exciting. There are only sound effects, and no main theme in the game. If you're going to play this game, I'd suggest running a CD instead of relying on the in-game sounds.

The best thing that Space Cadet Pinball has going for it is that it's free. All of its other features are done much better in commercial games. If you're a real pinball fan, cave in a buy a commercial game instead of settling for this free watered down version of pinball.

Reviewer's Score: 3/10, Originally Posted: 09/26/01, Updated 09/26/01