Pinball Tristan ($1.99) is a fun little app that brings realistic pinball to your iOS device. It might not have the bells and whistles of other pinball apps, but it combines a simple table with two ways to play and is certainly worth checking for the die-hard pinball fans out there.
The original 2D TRISTAN pinball game was created for the Macintosh, and released in 1991. It won an award for best simulation at the time, and was highly praised for reproducing such a realistic pinball game. The Pinball Tristan app keeps the essence of the original, and gives it a new coat of paint, with updated 3D graphics and a whole new way to enjoy the table with Rock’n’Play mode.
The table itself is a rather simple design, reminiscent of an older-style children’s toy. While it might look like a toy, it plays just like you would expect a full-size arcade table to behave. Within 30 seconds of playing this app, my brain was fooled into thinking I was holding the real physical table in my hands. Yes, it’s that realistic. Not only was the path of the ball very predictable, the ability to influence its path with gentle (and not so gentle) nudges of the iPad felt just like playing on a physical pinball table. Pinball pros will have no trouble picking up this game and racking up an enormous score.
Pinball Tristan also gives the player the ability to fully control the orientation of the table with Rock’n’Play mode. This allows the user to ignore the downward slope of a traditional pinball machine, and play the table as if it were a game of labyrinth. I found this mode to be an easier way to learn how to achieve the bonuses from the game without relying on a skilled shot that the traditional mode would require. This full use of the motion-sensing built into iOS devices is also handy for younger children who could benefit from its easier-to-handle mechanic.
I found Pinball Tristan to be a very realistic and fun-to-play pinball simulation. While its design might not be as flashy as some other apps, the attractive price and spot-on realism make this game worth checking out.
Download the free Appolicious iPhone app
