Pinball FX VR [Meta Quest 3] | REVIEW

I absolutely love pinball, and as a long-time player of pinball videogames (I’ll always remember the hours spent with Pinball Dreams and Fantasies on the Amiga in my younger years), I’ll ALWAYS play each new release that comes my way. Pinball FX VR has really upped the ante with its fully immersive arcade, letting players step up to the table – quite literally – and get flipping. While not without a few quirks, it delivers an exciting and engaging experience that makes great use of the Meta Quest 3’s capabilities, blending classic pinball gameplay with modern virtual charm.

Check out some screenshots down below:

At its core, Pinball FX VR shines where it matters most: the tables themselves. The base game includes three original Zen tables – Curse of the Mummy, Sky Pirates: Treasures of the Clouds, and Pinball Noir – with each bringing unique gameplay twists and distinct visual styles to help offer players a wonderful taste of what Pinball FX VR has to offer. Between Curse of the Mummy’s dual mini-tables and gravity-defying ball jumps, Sky Pirates: Treasure of the Clouds’ cannon-shooting first-person segments, or Pinball Noir’s revolver-style multiball launcher, these tables each offer interactive elements that go beyond the mere flipper action that traditionalists are otherwise used to. They’re a wonderful trio of tables to help introduce players to the game, and whilst they might not have the recognisable IPs of the licensed tables, they each stand out as some of my favourites.

What helps make the pinball action so enjoyable is the fact that the in-game physics are solid and convincing, maintaining the feel of a real pinball machine. There are no unnatural or predictable bounces here, with balls smashing around the table in a way that feels believable and realistic. Then there are the added elements of immersion brought to VR, with players able to use their ‘virtual hands’ to insert coins or to even place on the side of the pinball table. It’s a small detail, but one that takes advantage of VR to help elevate the experience and add elements of realism in neat little ways.

Beyond the traditional score-chasing pinball gameplay, Pinball FX VR also features a campaign mode with specific challenges to complete, giving players structured goals across each table. These tasks vary from score-based objectives to specific interaction-based feats, offering both newcomers and veterans a reason to keep coming back for more. These challenges were some of my favourite things in the game – whilst trying to hit that high score is always fun, having specific goals to work towards encouraged me to keep coming back for more and try to play in specific ways. It makes the whole experience all the more engaging and really bumps up the replayability.

“With immersive gameplay, stylish environments, and some genuinely inventive tables, Pinball FX VR scores big where it matters the most.“

Another really cool feature is the ability to bring the pinball tables into your own living space via the Meta Quest 3’s mixed reality mode. I’m one of those people who simply dreams of having their own collection of pinball tables at home, and whilst that’s never likely to become a reality, having a taste of it here was really fun to tinker around with. It’s not perfect – especially since you can’t re-size the tables and it can be a struggle to place them effectively – but it still gives Pinball FX VR a unique little feature that wouldn’t be possible without VR.

Of course, playing in the game world itself is equally enjoyable – especially since your in-game hangout is an 80s-inspired arcade. It’s the central hub where you can explore, decorate, and access the different pinball tables and modes on offer, whilst there’s even the option to play darts or spin a prize wheel to get some goodies. The customization on offer runs deep too, with players not only able to tweak elements like the ball or bumpers on the individual tables, but also decorate their arcade with unlockable posters, statues, wall designs, and even alternative table skins. Players will really feel like they’re making it into their own space, and with plenty of things to unlock via gameplay, you’ll always feel like you’re adding your own personal touch to the game world.

It’s clear that Pinball FX VR really has a lot going for it and it is a blast to play, but there is one elephant in the room: its approach to DLC content. While the base game includes three tables to play (priced at £7.99), the majority of fan-favourite tables (such as Star Trek: The Next Generation, The Addams Family, Indiana Jones: The Pinball Adventure, The Twilight Zone, and more) are locked behind paid DLC. Even more disappointing is the fact that tables purchased in previous versions (like Pinball FX2 VR or Star Wars Pinball VR) do not carry over, which feels like a bit of a missed opportunity. Whilst I understand that Zen Studios have looked to evolve and change to one game for their catalogue of pinball experiences, long-time fans might feel a little sour that the collections that they have already amassed on the Meta Quest platform aren’t all available here.

Check out some screenshots down below:

That’s not to say that the DLC tables that are available are not excellent and good value for money though, because there’s a wonderfully crafted selection available, with a nice mix of both real-world classics and licensed novelty tables (Knight Rider and Battlestar Galactica have stood out as some early favourites). Each is packed with unique mechanics and high production value, making them tempting additions despite the cost – they also bring with them additional customisation options for your surroundings, which also stood out as a treat. There’s just a fair bit of cash to be spent if you want to experience them all, with prices ranging from £7.99 to £11.99 per table (and over £55 if you want them all).

Running on the Meta Quest 3, Pinball FX VR looks sharp, with the upgraded resolution making a big difference when compared to previous releases on the platform. There are some minor nitpicks here and there with some of the lighting, reflections, and so forth, but they’re small flaws in what is otherwise a wonderfully presented experience. The audio is fantastic too, whether that’s the authentic hit of the flippers or the sound effects from some of the real-world classics (I’m looking at you, The Addams Family). It made simply being near the tables feel special and really showcases Zen Studios’ dedication to authenticity.

Developer: Zen Studios
Publisher: Zen Studios
Platform(s): Meta Quest 3 (Reviewed), Meta Quest 2
Website: https://www.meta.com/en-gb/experiences/pinball-fx-vr/7255396864545733/