Pinball software

[GimmeClassics]

Hello guys !

I'm (kind of) new to the pinball scene but I'd really like to start learning how to to play those amazing tables ! One thing I have already decided is the frontend I will use - which of course is PinballX I will also make use of the excellent guide that has been written to install and configure PinballX !!

I recently had a short holiday and I've been playing the Pirates of the Caribbean, CSI and Sopranos tables. I had so much fun and this has really renewed my interest in being able to play these tables whenever I want to

The first thing I have to decide is which pinball software I want to use. I've been reading about the different programs available. Here are my findings. I'd really appreciate it if you could tell me if this is somehow correct and share your opinion about the different options available

Of course I understand there is no "best" option but I'd like to be able to make a good decision and compare each available program...

Future Pinball
A lot of original tables available. Compared to Visual Pinball better graphics but the physics / gameplay maybe not as good as Visual Pinball ?

Visual Pinball

Nice physics, a lot of things customizable and realistic gameplay. Hard to setup, graphics are not as good as Future Pinball and maybe less original tables are available...

Pinball FX2

Nice graphics and fun gameplay. No original tables but a lot of fancy things going on. For those who like eye candy and do not necessarily want to play original tables. I've Pinball FX2 installed through Steam and I really like it. However, I would also like to be able to play original tables and maybe enjoy more realistic gameplay.

Pinball Arcade

Very interesting option. It's now available on PC and some say the physics and gameplay are even better ? I'd love to hear what you guys think about PA...

(Visual) PinMAME

A pinball emulator for ROM images from real pinball machines. Is this for use with VIsual Pinball ? I don't quite understand.

Last news item on their website is from 2010...? No longer in active development ?

Zen Pinball 2

Not available on PC ? The Zen tables of Pinball FX2 are the same as Zen Pinball ? I don't know much about this one...

Thanks in advance for your info

~ GC

[imagamejunky]

GC, You didn't specify if you would be building a cab. I highly recommend building one as it gives the best pinball experience hands down. I will give my extremely humble opinions in RED..

Future Pinball
A lot of original tables available. Compared to Visual Pinball better graphics but the physics / gameplay maybe not as good as Visual Pinball ?

Positives- GREAT GRAPHICS especially with the addition of BAM and head tracking (see my youtube channel silverballjunkie), Amazing original tables!, most tables work well with PinDMD with minor adjustments. FREE because of talented guys who share their hard work.

Negatives- Physics not as good as VP right out of the box, tons of multi-player issues (many tables won't work/score correctly with 2 or more players) , no easy solution for Ledwiz (each table has to be scripted individually), And the biggest negative IMO,...no ROM support!!

Visual Pinball

Nice physics, a lot of things customizable and realistic gameplay. Hard to setup, graphics are not as good as Future Pinball and maybe less original tables are available...

Positives- Good physics, Fantastic ROM support that perfectly coordinates with the Ledwiz and PinDMD with minimal issues, Most of the real tables are available, In the past year there have been MANY new additions to VP that have greatly improved it (Thank you amazing authors/programmers), FREE because of talented guys who share their hard work.

Negatives- Difficult for a newbie to figure out, LOTS of steps involved in set up, bad graphics on many tables even if you have a kick ass PC (but many have been given fantastic updates)

Pinball FX2

Nice graphics and fun gameplay. No original tables but a lot of fancy things going on. For those who like eye candy and do not necessarily want to play original tables. I've Pinball FX2 installed through Steam and I really like it. However, I would also like to be able to play original tables and maybe enjoy more realistic gameplay.

-SUPER FUN tables with tons of great animations, Fantastic graphics! Good physics.

-Zero compatibility with Ledwiz or PinDMD, No backglasses for cabs, Not free

Pinball Arcade

Very interesting option. It's now available on PC and some say the physics and gameplay are even better ? I'd love to hear what you guys think about PA...

Good graphics with lots of real tables. Good physics. Fun to play.

No cab support other than a portrait mode that is not even centered on the screen. Expensive. Big let down in my opinion.

(Visual) PinMAME

A pinball emulator for ROM images from real pinball machines. Is this for use with VIsual Pinball ? I don't quite understand.

Last news item on their website is from 2010...? No longer in active development ?

PinMame is required by Visual Pinball to run the ROMs. VP runs the table while PinMame runs the ROM.

Zen Pinball 2

Not available on PC ? The Zen tables of Pinball FX2 are the same as Zen Pinball ? I don't know much about this one...

Replaced by FX2

I hope this helps you GC. I also hope my comments aren't offensive to anyone. These are just my opinions.

Junky

[imagamejunky]

I forgot to mention. You don't have to pick which one. You can run them all like I do

Junky

[DazzleHP]

That's some great info! Like GC i too will soon jump into the world of wizardry and like GC have minimal experience. Thanks for the detailed post

[GimmeClassics]

@ Junky: Wow !! Thank you for your thorough explanation !!

...and you're right. I should have been more clear on the gaming experience I'm trying to pursue

Building a cab would give my the best experience. I immediately believe that. That's however not an option for me right now. I lack the knowledge to build my own cab and I think it's also quite expensive...Who knows, maybe in the future I would be able play on a custom build pincab. I would definitely need a lot of help to build my own cab, that's for sure

For now I would like to figure out which program(s) would be the best option for me when trying to play on a dekstop or HTPC build. Reading your reply I conclude the following...

Future Pinball with use of BAM and head tracking...

This would give me great looking original tables.

Q1 - You mention physics are not as good as VP right out of the box. Does it mean with some tweaking you can get a similar experience as with VP ?

Q2 - I think I understand what BAM does but what is head tracking exactly ?

Visual Pinball

Better physics as Future Pinball but harder to configure. Fantastic ROM support.

Q1 - does the ROM support imply VP has better physics than FP or is it graphic wise more true to the original table because of the ROM support ?

Q2 - is it still worth the amount of time to setup VP when playing on a desktop / HTPC instead of a cab ? Or is FP the better option for me ?

Pinball FX2

I've already installed FX2 and I'll keep on using this

I'd love to receive some feedback. Thanks again !

...@ Darren > nice to hear you're also trying to join the Pinball World Maybe we can help each other out along the way

[imagamejunky]

I guess you caught me in a talkative mood today..

Yes you can tweak the physics on FP, but many people including myself agree that it still can't compete with VP physics. Tweaking the physics isn't an easy task either. I like the physics on TPA a lot as well.

ROMS..

Roms have nothing to do with physics or graphics. Think of them as the rule sets for the tables. For example, when a ball hits the back bumper on a specific table then the CORRECT lamp lights up, the CORRECT sound is made, and the CORRECT score is awarded based on how the REAL table rules were set up. This also means that when you build a cab with force feedback you get lights, knockers, gear motor, shaker motor, and contactors all working at the correct times that they are supposed to. The rom is also where you can make adjustments to your game. Since these roms are from the real tables then the menus are 100% accurate as well. If you've ever owned a real machine then you are familiar with the adjustments/options that are found in the rom menus.

BAM and Head Tracking.

Quite frankly, BAM and Head Tracking are pretty complicated and are NOT easy to set up for a beginner either.

Here's some info for you.

Head Tracking- Invented by the genious Johnny Lee (as far as I know). Works with wii remotes, playstation cameras, or other IR cameras along with an IR LED that you wear on your head. It's virtual reality without the need for a 3d display. Simply put, it's absolutely amazing!

BAM- Invented by the genious Ravarcade. Brilliant program that enables many new functions with Future Pinball. Included in this is the ability to use Head Tracking with wii remotes, playstation cameras, xbox kinect, etc.. Also allows different versions of Future pinball including different physics set ups for different tables. The addition of BAM completely changed Future Pinball in my opinion.

http://www.ravarcade.pl/

Having said all that if you are just playing on a desktop or htpc then you really can't go wrong with playing desktop tables on VP or playing FP tables in desktop mode with a standard FP set up (no bam or head tracking). FX2 and TPA are great choices also.

Once again, these are just my opinions.

Junky

https://www.youtube.com/user/silverballjunkie

[GimmeClassics]

Thanks again Junky !

Looks like I've got some reading to do