Pinball lovers, it’s time to rejoice over the awesome game Zombie Rollerz: Pinball Heroes. It’s not your typical pinball machine game, where you watch a ball bounce all over and you score points, with just one button to launch and two buttons to utilize the flippers. Instead, you’ll be launching a single ball an unlimited amount of times while aiming them in many directions to collect objects, treasures, and most of all defeating the rising zombies.
Nevertheless, there are still some similar features to a standard pinball machine. Such as the machine’s design and especially the trough; gutter at the bottom. Unlike the original trough, in this game, it won’t cause you to lose the game. It will however remove some health points(HP) from your life bar. So yes, that is still present, but it’s not the biggest concern you’ll have to deal with. The main problem all players will have to face is that of the zombies, rising up in each level and coming to attack.
In a way, it reminds me of the game Plants vs Zombies. Since there are plenty of unusual zombies coming to attack in waves, from the far top and sides of the pinball machine. Plus, each zombie has a silly, cartoonish-style appearance, as well as the game’s entire theme. Being such a bright and colorful worldly environment. The entire combination of an adventure and action game, and playing pinball is something that is totally original and in my opinion very exciting. Especially with the many heroes, you can choose from.
How Fun Was It?
To begin, the entire game is full of color and plenty of levels to play through. Just so many enemies to attack from every side of the pinball machine. There is no time to just rest, the game will keep you motivated, and just like any style of a pinball machine, real or digital, Zombie Rollerz will keep you on your feet, or maybe in this case in your chair for hours. Regardless, this game is just so stimulating from the first pinball you play to the last.
I enjoyed right away, that the game allows you to choose from a variety of heroes to be your player. There are a total of 10 different ones you can choose from. There is one that you can play at the start until the others are unlocked. They all have an adorable charm in their appearance and their own special ability that makes them useful during the game. It’s always great to have a choice. Same when you want to play the game and make it harder, that is another unlockable portion that makes you want to try playing it over and over to see the game in so many different ways.
One thing that I really do treasure about this game is that it includes plenty of themes. Plus, each pinball game I enter is full of nonstop action, with secret locations to find. Especially when defeating these giant villains and even the many zombies through all types of obstacles and challenges that occur during the game. Also, the music in the background and sound effects, makes the game even more enticing.
After playing many different sections of the game, I realized it reminded me of another game. This came to me, after watching how the ball launches. It made me think of Bust-a-Move, which had a similarity of how to aim the ball in a direction, just like this game, hitting the ball on the flippers just right to get it to knock out as many zombies or obtain the many treasures you can. Also, as mentioned before, there are unlimited balls, no matter if it gets lost, it won’t cause you to lose, just may reduce the HP bar, but there is always a ball you can play with.
Additionally, one button and you can return the ball back for launching, as well as equipping some special powerups to the ball. This comes in handy when you want to defeat faster and get through the bosses a bit easier. Planning is everything in this game! Oh yes, a little bit about the flippers, which actually are pretty cool too cause they act as weapons. So swing those flippers when launching the ball or at the zombies to kill them and protect yourself.
There is a feature I do adore, which you can get obtain at the end of each pinball game will super-power up your ball. For example, adding fire to the ball will help make it a weapon that will leave a lasting burn on many, but there is so much more to earn while playing this game. Plus, there are even sections where you may need the ball to be aimed differently. Well, that call-back feature and the equipped powerups could help you reach these locations and earn you some extra goodies or destroy zombies that are hard to reach.
You also will notice the game plays like an adventure-style board game. Where you’ll find and enter into different pinball games, as well as find some collectible items. It’s another unique addition, but it makes the game a bit more interesting than just moving from one pinball game to the next. There are also things that go occur as you make some strategic style planning where you want to go next. Such as a Plague that could cause HP to be decreased as you move upon it. So it’s not a game that mentions planning, but it feels close to a strategy adventure game as well!
One last feature I did find quite nice, is that after visiting so many locations and seeing so many zombies, collecting so many items, and so on. It’s great to check out all the zombies you’ve seen or caught inside a book at the menu screen. It’s another challenge to try and collect them all, almost like Pokemon. So after playing through, this game is endless amounts of fun with so much you can do!
All the good, but I did have a few problems with the game. First was that I didn’t enjoy how to move in the worldly mapping of the game, before entering a pinball game. It’s not so accurate moving a glowing light to a section where you are able to move. It can be a little unpleasant with the analog button used to select a spot on the map. I would have rather it moves a bit more freely while you as you utilize the right analog button. Nevertheless, this is just a small issue and nothing huge, just my personal opinion.
The last two things, one being that I felt was a bit tricky to launch the ball, when using the controller on the Nintendo Switch Lite it wouldn’t move so easily, it struggled at times. the second is having to restart the game after a death occurs and it’s game over. All that collecting is reduced and the world needs to be restarted. I guess it also adds a bit more challenge to make sure to not die so you can keep going forward.
Everlasting Action and Fun!
Finally, I’d like to say that this has been the first pinball machine game, digital I’ve played in a long time. It reminds me almost of the joy of Gameboy, with Kirby Pinball, or Sega Genesis with Sonic Pinball. Each dealt out the monsters and villains and the ball, being the hero needed to destroy them as well as complete the level. So there are some great reminders of the classic games I’ve tried, and Zombie Rollerz makes me super happy to have tried it!
It will not disappoint, and won’t ever end so quickly! Especially because there are so many levels, items to collect, scores to earn, and there are so many fun and exciting characters to choose from. Plus, such great graphics, plenty of action, and enticing music that plays in the background make this game so entertaining!
