Categories
PC PlayStation 4 PlayStation 5 Reviews Video Games Xbox One Xbox Series S Xbox Series X

“Godzilla Vs. Kong Pack” for “Pinball FX” Review

 

I’ll admit, when I first heard Zen Studios were doing pinball tables for Pinball FX (PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X /S, Xbox One, PC) based on the Godzilla and King Kong movies, I was hoping they meant the classic Toho movies. I would’ve loved to play pinball tables based on 1963’s King Kong Vs. Godzilla, 1967’s King Kong Escapes, and 1971’s Godzilla Vs. Hedorah, as well as their respective and eponymous debuts from 1954 and 1933. But it seems getting to play black & white pinball tables, or ones drenched in smog or robot monkey parts will have to wait (or cost me $7K), as the Godzilla Vs. Kong Pack instead has three tables based on the more recent movies: 2014’s Godzilla, 2017’s Skull Island, 2019’s Godzilla, King Of The Monsters, and 2021’s Godzilla Vs. Kong. But as fun as these tables may be, it’s odd that they’re not really based on all four movies…

Godzilla Vs. Kong Pack Zen Pinball

For those unfamiliar with Pinball FX,

it’s a virtual pinball arcade, filled with whatever pinball tables you purchase individually. These not only include classic pinball tables made by Williams and Bally, such as 1997’s Medieval Madness, 1996’s Safe Cracker, and 1996’s Tales Of The Arabian Knights, but also original ones based on Star Wars, Marvel Comics, and Jaws. All of which come with such options as multiple viewpoints, including a slider that moves the camera angle up and down, letting you see how the table would look if you were, say, 4’11” or 6’2″ or somewhere in between.

The tables in Zen Pinball are also more forgiving than real ones, and will give you a reprieve if you lose a ball rather quickly. Which makes sense; they’re not build to suck down your every quarter.

But the real difference between the recreations of classic tables and the new ones are that while the Williams and Bally tables are accurate replicas, the ones made by Zen Studios have the ball moving realistically around tables that are unrealistic. How else can you explain how the tables in the Godzilla Vs. Kong Pack have such physically and technologically improbable mechanics as, for instance, an action figure of Mechagodzilla shooting a laser beam across the table.

 

Godzilla

 As for the specific tables in the Godzilla Vs. Kong Pack, let’s start where the movies did, with the Godzilla table. Befitting his stature as the king of all monsters, the Godzilla table is a rather classic-style pinball table, with a relatively open lower half, and a number of ramps and hidden passageways at top, along with bumpers and spinners. It also only has two flippers, and has them at the bottom. As a result, the ball can really get moving, especially when it shoots out from some unexpected angle towards your hopefully ready flippers.

Though what’s odd about the table is how it seems more inspired by Godzilla’s role in Godzilla Vs. Kong than either of his movies. Instead of having one of the M.U.T.O.s from the first film on the table, or King Ghidorah, Rodan, or Mothra from the second, it has Mechagodzilla from Vs. Which isn’t terrible or anything, but it does seem odd given that, as we’ll get to, the Godzilla Vs. Kong Pack includes a table based on Godzilla Vs. Kong.

 

Godzilla Vs. Kong Pack Zen Pinball

King Kong

Moving on, sort of, a similar criticism can be levied against the King Kong table, which is also inspired by his part of King Kong Vs. Godzilla and not his movie, Skull Island. Hence why the plunger is the ship the people fly into the hollow Earth as opposed to a tiny and ticked off Samuel L. Jackson.

The King Kong table is also similar to the Godzilla one in how the lower half is also relatively open, while the top half is largely covered. Except where Godzilla had numerous ramps and railways, King Kong is one giant mountain that the ball can go into, and come out somewhere else. It’s also slightly bigger than the upper part of the Godzilla table, and has a third flipper, about half-way up the right side, all of which results in the ball not going as fast (usually), but compensating by giving you less time to notice it and react.

 

Godzilla Vs. Kong

Which brings us to the final table, Godzilla Vs. Kong. Which, unlike the others, actually is based on the movie in question. Hence why King Kong is standing on an aircraft carrier, looking like he’s learning how to surf. Though it’s hard not to think this might’ve worked better had it been based more on the climactic battle in the bright and colorful city of Hong Kong, which was not just the highlight of that movie, but of all four.

The Godzilla Vs. Kong table is also different from the Godzilla and King Kong tables in that the lower half is more crowded, with the ramps and alleyways filling up the right side. It also, like Kong, has a third flipper in the middle of the left side. Because of this, the table is the slowest of the three, which makes it more thoughtful than reactive. Which isn’t to say it isn’t fun to play, it is, just that it isn’t as much of a challenge to keep the ball in play; the challenge is more in sending it where you need it to go.

Now, as these things go, the tables in the Godzilla Vs. Kong Pack are not as addictive or inventive as the best Star Wars ones, or the Family Guy and South Park tables. It also seems like they missed an opportunity by not having King Kong or Godzilla go on a rampage on any — or really, all — of these tables, chasing after the ball like it’s some army guy who’s been trying to kill them. Now that would be a pinball table. But as is, all three are still a lot of fun, providing the kind of addictive challenge as, well, that $7K pinball machine I’m currently saving up for.

SCORE: 8.0/10

 

 

Categories
PC PlayStation 3 PlayStation 4 PlayStation Vita Reviews Video Games Xbox 360 Xbox One

Worst Games Of 2015

While there were some great games in 2015, there were also a bunch that weren’t so great.

And then there was the following bunch of crap that I wouldn’t wish on my worst enemy, even if they stepped on my foot and didn’t say “Sorry.”

Here now, in no particular order, are the worst games of 2015.

 

The Order 1886 02

The Order: 1886

Developers: Ready At Dawn

Publisher: Sony

Systems: PlayStation 4

While much was made about this game’s length, or lack there of, the real issue was how it wasted that time with dated mechanics and way too many cutscenes. But my biggest problem with The Order: 1886 was that it took a cool idea — a Gears Of War-style shooter set in a proto-steampunk London — and squandered it.

SCORE: 4.0/10 (read my full review here)

 

Helldivers 03

Helldivers

Developers: Arrowhead Game Studios

Publisher: Sony

Systems: PlayStation 4PlayStation 3Vita

What should’ve been a fun and frantic arcadey, top-down, sci-fi shooter was instead a frustrating slog thanks to a lot of little problems that included, but were not limited to, pointless mechanics (I mean, seriously, what kind of a trained soldier doesn’t know to reload their weapon), bad graphical choices, and a wildly inconsistent difficulty.

SCORE: 3.5/10 (read my full review here)

 

Godzilla 01

Godzilla

Developers: Natsume

Publisher: Bandai Namco

Systems: PlayStation 4, PlayStation 3

Caught somewhere between low-budget and low-rent, this game is not only overly simplistic and repetitive, but it also has counter-intuitive movement that makes this more frustrating than fun.

SCORE: 6.5/10 (read my full review here)

 

Resident Evil 01

Resident Evil (HD remake)

Developers: Capcom

Publisher: Capcom

Systems: PlayStation 4, PlayStation 3, Xbox One, Xbox 360, PC

This game isn’t so much bad as it is a waste of your money. I would’ve loved a new version of this classic 1996 game with upgraded graphics and better controls. I can even understand why someone would want a faithful recreation of the original game with the original controls and the original graphics. But what we got instead was the 2002 remake of the game that Capcom put out on the GameCube, but with that game’s awkward controls and the original graphics in HD. And why would I want that? Oh, right, I don’t.

SCORE: 3.0/10 (read my full review here)

 

Onechanbara Z2 Chaos 02

Onechanbara Z2 Chaos

Developers: Tamsoft

Publisher: Bandai Namco

Systems: PlayStation 4

While it would be easy to condemn this game for being overtly sexual but not all that sexy, it actually has bigger problems than just being potentially offensive. It’s terribly redundant, which makes it rather tiresome after a while, and I say that as someone who really likes hack & slash games you can just button mash to victory.

SCORE: 6.5/10 (read my full review here)

 

Afro Samurai 2 Revenge Of Kuma Volume 1 02

Afro Samurai 2: Revenge Of Kuma: Volume 1

Developers: Redacted Software

Publisher: Versus Evil

Systems: PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PC

As someone who liked, but still saw the flaws in, the original Afro Samurai game, I was encouraged when the people behind this sequel said they weren’t happy with the original either, and we’re striving to make something better. Which makes it even more sad that they failed. Miserably. Not only was it a bad game, but it was so flawed and buggy that the publisher gave everyone refunds and cancelled the other two volumes.

SCORE: 2.0/10 (read my full review here)

 

So, what were your least favorite games of 2015. Let me know in the comments below.

 

Categories
Movies PlayStation 3 PlayStation 4 Reviews Video Games

“Godzilla” Game Review

With the exception of the original Gojira, the Roland Emmerich’s 1998 in-name-only American edition, and 2014’s excellent comeback, most Godzilla movies have been rather low-budget. So it makes sense that this eponymous game — which was just released on PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 3 — would be low-budget-looking, too. It’s just too bad the gameplay is rather low-rent as well.

Categories
DVDs/Blu-rays Movies Reviews

Godzilla Blu-ray, DVD Review

 

A decade after taking a break to “find himself,” Godzilla made his triumphant return this past summer when his eponymously-titled bio pic hit theaters. But while the Godzilla Blu-ray and DVD could’ve been better, the movie is a fun romp, literally, that it almost doesn’t matter. Almost.

Categories
DVDs/Blu-rays Movies News

Godzilla (2014) Blu-ray, DVD, And Digital Announced

Warner Bros. Home Entertainment have announced that Godzilla will be released as a Blu-ray/DVD combo pack, a 3D Blu-ray/DVD combo pack, on DVD, and digitally on September 16th.

Categories
Movies Reviews

Godzilla (2014) Movie Review

In the sixty years since he made his big screen debut with Gojira, Godzilla has made dozens of movies; some good (1971’s Godzilla Vs. Hedorah), some bad (1985’s The Return Of Godzilla), and some…just awful (1998’s Godzilla). But the new Godzilla is not just the best Godzilla move since 1975’s Terror Of Mechagodzilla, it may be the best one since Gojira, one of the best movies of the year, and maybe the most exhilarating movie since 2012’s The Avengers.

Categories
DVDs/Blu-rays Movies Reviews

Godzilla: Tokyo S.O.S./Godzilla: Final Wars Blu-ray Review

When the new Godzilla hits theaters on May 16th, it will end a ten year hiatus for the big guy that began after Toho released Godzilla: Final Wars in 2004. In honor of his return to the silver screen, Sony Pictures Home Entertainment are releasing eight of the eleven pre-retirement movies as a series of four, two-disc/two movie Blu-rays called The Toho Godzilla Collection, the last of which presents 2003’s Godzilla: Tokyo S.O.S. as well as the aforementioned Final Wars.

Categories
DVDs/Blu-rays Movies Reviews

Godzilla Vs. Destroyah/Godzilla Vs. Megaguirus Blu-ray Review

In some ways, Godzilla movies are like professional wrestling, since they’re really just excuses to watch a bunch of big guys beat the crap out of each other. Though both can also be rather silly, too. Especially when they dumb things down for their younger fans. Both sides of which are illustrated by two movies included on the Godzilla Vs. Destroyah/Godzilla Vs. Megaguirus Blu-ray, the third in a series of four two-disc, two-movie Blu-rays called The Toho Godzilla Collection that present eight of the eleven movies Godzilla made before retiring in 2004.

Categories
DVDs/Blu-rays Movies Reviews

“Godzilla Vs. Mechagodzilla II” / “Godzilla Vs. SpaceGodzilla” Blu-ray Review

 

With a new Godzilla movie coming out May 16th, Sony Pictures Home Entertainment have decided to celebrate (or capitalize, depending on your perspective) by issuing The Toho Godzilla Collection, which presents eight of the prior eleven Godzilla films on four two-disc double feature Blu-rays, including this double shot of 1993’s Godzilla Vs. Mechagodzilla II and 1994’s Godzilla Vs. SpaceGodzilla. But while it has these movies looking better than they have in years, they’re not exactly the best Godzilla movies.