Pinball Hall of Fame: The Gottlieb Collection

It has taken me a while to get around to reviewing Pinball Hall of Fame: The Gottlieb Collection because my PS2's laser is beginning to go wonky, and my machine will no longer play the CD-ROM based PS2 games.  In this case at least, having to look elsewhere for a PS2 improved the experience of playing the game immensely.  The PS2 that I eventually found to play the game on was in the student lounge of the college where I teach.  This meant I played the game with a crowd looking on, which is the way pinball should be played.

This collection offers faithful versions of seven classic pinball machines that date from the 50's through the 90's.  Each table is rendered in sharp graphics which reveal the artistry and beauty of the original machines.  The HUD for each table use the illustrations and style of the individual tables, making of very nostalgic experience for those players who have spend time in seedy arcades bashing bumpers.

on every table.  Still, the feel of the tables is rather close to real life.  The feel is true enough, in fact, that I scored much higher on the tables that I already was familiar with from my own pinball days.

The game includes a handy hint function which helps players no what to do on tables they are unfamiliar with, and each table has a specific goal for the player to reach to unlock an extra.  These extras include the Playboy table and a couple of addictive mini-games.