Metroid Prime was one of the best and most popular games on the Nintendo Gamecube. Pinball was one of the best and most popular games at bars, pool halls and arcades during the later half of the 20th century. Still, it might come as a surprise that publisher Nintendo and developer Fuse Games have combined these games in Metroid Prime Pinball for the Nintendo DS because they are so different. Perhaps the biggest surprise is the success of this ambitious concept. Rich in content, Metroid Prime Pinball is a highly addictive game that perfectly portrays elements of both Pinball and Metroid Prime.
First and foremost, Metroid Prime Pinball is a pinball game. Samus Aran, the hero of the Metroid series, rolls into her trademark ball-form and bounces around the inside of a pinball machine. Most stages feature two sets of flippers (one at the bottom of the table and one near the top) that are controlled intuitively using either the L and R shoulder buttons, or the left button on the d-pad and the A button. The action takes place simultaneously on both screens of the DS, as the standard rectangular pinball table has been stretched across the top and bottom screens.
The primary objective, as with any game of pinball, is to amass as many points as possible. This is done through traditional means (maneuvering through loops, bouncing off bumpers) as well as through means undeniably Metroidian (fighting Space Pirates, collecting Artifacts). While most of the action is standard pinball fare, Samus can lay bombs to defeat enemies lurking around each stage. In mini-games that crop up in the middle of pinball sessions, Samus will stand-up in a stationary position to launch missiles and beam attacks at onslaughts of enemies and bosses. The DS' touch screen is utilized as a "tilt" mechanism, as drawing one's finger across the screen will shake the pinball table slightly in the same direction. Each stage is extremely well designed with natural physics and a great amount to do and see.
Metroid Prime Pinball is undeniably a Metroid game, despite this extreme break from its roots in the adventure genre. Each stage is modeled after a locale in Metroid Prime, with each stage boasting fantastic remixed tracks of music from the same game. Each stage looks gorgeous, with rich colors and detailed backgrounds that help draw players into the game. All in all, there are seven stages in the game, each boasting a very unique feel and purpose (traditional stage, boss stage, multiplayer stage, etc.).
There are three different gameplay modes in Metroid Prime Pinball. Multi Mission mode is the "campaign mode," where you navigate through a series of stages collecting artifacts and defeating bosses, leading to a final battle against the Metroid Prime. Single Mission mode is a chance to earn as many points as possible on a single stage that has been unlocked in Multi Mission mode. Wireless Mission mode is the multiplayer feature of Metroid Prime Pinball. In this mode, up to eight players compete using a single copy of the game, racing to amass a selected amount of points before the other competitors. Playing against other people can be a lot of fun, although only one stage is available to select in this mode. The level is well designed and different from those found in the single player missions, but the lack of stages limits the replay value of this option.
Metroid Prime Pinball is an intuitive game that not only looks and sounds great, but captures the essence of both classic pinball, as well as Metroid Prime. Extremely addictive, this game is perfect for fans of puzzle games, pinball games and those with a love of the Metroid franchise.
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