3D Pinball: Space Cadet

"So simple, yet so... Addictive..."

Pinball games. I don't see many around anymore (With the exception of the GBA pinball games like Pokemon Pinball: Ruby and Sapphire and Sonic Pinball Party). I remembered the last time I played it (when I was 7) with an empty space in my heart... Until I got a Windows XP and, guess what? This was included for free! I got seated and I played for days, far exceeding my past capabilities. In fact, let me tell you a few things about this gem we will come to know as 3D Pinball: Space Cadet...

Story: 1/10
You are a Space Cadet trying to rise through the ranks, or so I assume. Look, pinball games never have stories!

Gameplay: 10/10
One word describes this game: smooth. The buttons for the flippers are responsive, and also, the objectives are fun, yet there are only about eight or something... Besides that, there are many obstacles, and also, they have a system where if you go through 3 re-entry spaces (All have to be lit up, and they go out if passed through again), you get either a weapon upgrade (Giving you more points for the big ''attack'' bumpers at the top of the screen) or an engine upgrade (Gives you more time without refueling). Also, if you are good enough, you can open up gravity wells, a hidden bumper, and more, but they'll go away if you lose a ball (A life is called a ball, to all you non-pinheads). So many possibilities make this a very fun game to play.

Sound: 7/10
The sounds remind me of real pinball machines, yet they get annoying after a while.

Music: 0/10
There is no music. None, nada, niete, zilch. Enough words for ya?

Graphics: 8/10
Colorful, varied, and interesting graphics make this game great. The ball looks glossy and real, and all of the flashing lights are nice to look at (yet, like all flashing lights, it will eventually give you a headache). Also, when it gets fast paced and the ball is moving at high speeds, it has no slowdown (Unlike SimTheme Park, which gets slowdown at the slowest moments). Altogether, it's very, very nice.

Buy or Rent?: I'd recommend this only if you want Windows XP. Although you could probably find it on the internet somewhere... Otherwise, if you don't care about the cost of Windows XP, buy, buy away.

Overall: 8/10
A cool pinball fan that no pinhead should miss. And you can't beat the cost: FREE!

Reviewer's Score: 8/10, Originally Posted: 11/16/03