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New to Pinball or FX 2? Start Here! [FAQ]
Q: Do Zen employees read this forum?
Yes. If you have any questions, suggestions, or comments, please post them. Zen employees have the company logo under their username:
Solitude - Neil Sorens, Creative Director
crackervizzo - Mel Kirk, VP Marketing & Public Relations
BarbieBobomb - Bobby Loertscher, Community Manager
Q: How do I get better at pinball?
It's best to pick one table and practice. Study the layout, read the rule sheet, and learn the angles. Use the flippers to trap the ball, then aim and shoot. Avoid novice mistakes like using both flippers simultaneously and random flailing during multiball.
The Internet Pinball Database offers a thorough series of tutorials.
Several forum members have contributed strategy guides as well as general playing tips. If you have a specific question about a table, please ask!
Q: I can only buy one table! Which one should I get?
Play the free trials for each table, then buy the one you enjoy most. Captain America is the friendliest table to newcomers and is a good representation of Zen's design.
Seven tables are available for individual purchase at 240 MSP:
Sixteen of the tables are only available in packs priced at 800 MSP:
Five tables from Pinball FX may be purchased individually for 200 MSP:
Of the five, Earth Defense and Excalibur have the highest production value (they were the last two tables released for Pinball FX). Earth Defense's design features multiple ramps, while Excalibur offers a variety of objectives like a mini-playfield. Excalibur has more missions and better sound quality, but Earth Defense is graphically superior and slightly easier for high scores.
Be aware that the nine Pinball FX tables do not support the enhancements found in Pinball FX 2. While all of them have been graphically upgraded and use the new physics engine, they lack the following features:
All of the tables contribute to your Superscore and support Xbox LIVE multiplayer (including Vision Cam with gesture control).
Q: When will we see new tables?
A new table is released every six to eight weeks. Announcements are made on the forum a few weeks prior to the DLC appearing on the Marketplace.
The following tables are currently in development:
Q: Help, my score has reset on all the tables!! How do I fix it?
Unfortunately, your scores have been wiped due to a bug when exiting the game. Your current Superscore will remain on the leaderboard, but you will need to rebuild you scores for all the tables. Since this issue affects the statistics file, progress on Spider-Man and Epic Quest will also be reset.
Zen is aware of this issue and plan on correcting it with the first title update.
Q: How do I report a bug?
Send an email to the following address with "Pinball FX 2: [Table name] Bug" in the title:
[email protected]
Q: Where are the original tables for Pinball FX?
Microsoft delisted Pinball FX and its DLC with the release of the sequel. Pinball FX can still be played online, but the original versions of the DLC tables can no longer be purchased. Only the upgraded versions of the Pinball FX tables are available on the Marketplace.
Q: How do I import my original tables into Pinball FX 2?
Upon launching Pinball FX 2 for the first time, your Marketplace licenses will be checked. A message will pop-up allowing you to download the new versions of any previously owned Pinball FX tables.
Q: Can I import tables I've purchased for Pinball FX 2 into the original Pinball FX?
No.
Tables made for Pinball FX 2 are not compatible with Pinball FX. This includes the new versions of the nine Pinball FX tables (each table is about 5 mb larger).
If you did not purchase the original tables before they were delisted, you will not be able to play them in Pinball FX.
Q: Why does the free table I downloaded not import when I load Pinball FX 2?
Buccaneer was a bonus table for owners of the original game. It is included in the Classic Pack, which is a free download when a license is detected for Pinball FX.
Q: How do tournaments work?
When a tournament is available, a blue & gold winged helmet will appear on the icon for the corresponding table. To participate in the tournament, complete a game on this table while connected to Xbox Live.
The highest single score out of any tournaments you've participated in will be included as a bonus in your Superscore.
Tournaments in 2010 and 2011 ran for fifteen days and were held every few months. Tournaments in 2012 run for eight days and appear to be held more often (once a month).
Prizes are generally awarded to the top three players as well as random participants. Zen contacts winners via their gamertags.
Q: How do I send friend challenges?
Press X at the end of a game during the score tally screen.
Q: Why isn't my favorite pinball table available for Pinball FX 2?
FarSight [The Pinball Hall of Fame series] has acquired most of the licenses to classic and modern pinball tables. Many of them will be released under their new platform The Pinball Arcade.
For the time being, you can play classic and homebrew tables with the following free emulators:
Future Pinball
Visual Pinball 9 + Visual PinMAME
Both of these programs have front-ends available (HyperPin, Dreampin) for easy launching on custom built LCD/LED virtual pinball machines.
Q: Why aren't all of the Zen Pinball tables available in Pinball FX 2?
This is a licensing issue; Sony and Microsoft want exclusive content on their respective platforms.
The only way to play all of Zen's tables is to buy both games. The following tables will remain exclusive to Zen Pinball:
n.b. An icon for Tesla appeared in the tech demo of Zen's Windows 8 pinball project. El Dorado and Shaman are available on Zen Pinball 3D [3DS].
Q. Are the Pinball FX tables based on actual pinball machines?
Yes.
While there are no physical versions of Zen's tables, they're often based on designs from classic pinball machines:
Speed Machine = White Water (mirrored)
Xtreme = Black Knight 2000 (mirrored)
Agents = Star Trek: TNG (mirrored)
Buccaneer = The Addams Family
Rocky & Bullwinkle = Sorcerer
Nightmare Mansion ~ Genesis (lower playfield resembles Haunted House's cellar, inverted)
Excalibur ~ Excalibur (central ramp with ball diverter)
The newer tables for Pinball FX 2 are more original, though there are a few notable similarities:
Pasha incorporates elements from Funhouse.
Secrets of the Deep is similar to Grand Lizard.
Rome is reminiscent of Medieval Madness (with Theatre of Magic's spinning trunk).
Blade borrows heavily from South Park.
Q: Will there be a PC version?
Yes.
Pinball FX 2 will debut on Windows 8, with support for other operating systems planned. Sorcerer’s Lair will be a free download as part of the Consumer Preview.
Q: Will there be a vertical orientation/"tate" mode?
Unknown.
Based on forum feedback, one of the Zen reps will be pushing for this feature in a potential PC release.
Yes. If you have any questions, suggestions, or comments, please post them. Zen employees have the company logo under their username:
Solitude - Neil Sorens, Creative Director
crackervizzo - Mel Kirk, VP Marketing & Public Relations
BarbieBobomb - Bobby Loertscher, Community Manager
Q: How do I get better at pinball?
It's best to pick one table and practice. Study the layout, read the rule sheet, and learn the angles. Use the flippers to trap the ball, then aim and shoot. Avoid novice mistakes like using both flippers simultaneously and random flailing during multiball.
The Internet Pinball Database offers a thorough series of tutorials.
Several forum members have contributed strategy guides as well as general playing tips. If you have a specific question about a table, please ask!
Q: I can only buy one table! Which one should I get?
Play the free trials for each table, then buy the one you enjoy most. Captain America is the friendliest table to newcomers and is a good representation of Zen's design.
Seven tables are available for individual purchase at 240 MSP:
- Mars
- Fantastic Four
- Captain America
- Ms. Splosion Man
- Sorcerer's Lair
- Paranormal
- Epic Quest
Sixteen of the tables are only available in packs priced at 800 MSP:
- Marvel: Wolverine, Spider-Man, Ironman, Blade
- Vengeance & Virtue: Moon Knight, Thor, Ghost Rider, X-Men
- Core (launch tables): Secrets of the Deep, Biolab, Pasha, Rome
- Classic (Pinball FX): Speed Machine, Xtreme, Agents, Buccaneer
Five tables from Pinball FX may be purchased individually for 200 MSP:
- Nightmare Mansion
- Rocky & Bullwinkle
- Street Fighter II Turbo
- Earth Defense
- Excalibur
Of the five, Earth Defense and Excalibur have the highest production value (they were the last two tables released for Pinball FX). Earth Defense's design features multiple ramps, while Excalibur offers a variety of objectives like a mini-playfield. Excalibur has more missions and better sound quality, but Earth Defense is graphically superior and slightly easier for high scores.
Be aware that the nine Pinball FX tables do not support the enhancements found in Pinball FX 2. While all of them have been graphically upgraded and use the new physics engine, they lack the following features:
- Operator's menus
- Arcade FX (floating scores and ball effects)
- Local multiplayer (splitscreen and hotseat)
- In-game friend challenges
- Action camera
- Table statistics
- Local high scores
- Save and resume
- Multiple music tracks
All of the tables contribute to your Superscore and support Xbox LIVE multiplayer (including Vision Cam with gesture control).
Q: When will we see new tables?
A new table is released every six to eight weeks. Announcements are made on the forum a few weeks prior to the DLC appearing on the Marketplace.
The following tables are currently in development:
- Avengers Chronicles: World War Hulk, Fear Itself, Infinity Gauntlet, The Avengers movie
- Doctor Strange
- Marvel Civil War
- PopCap (Plants vs. Zombies?)
- 2 unannounced franchise tables
Q: Help, my score has reset on all the tables!! How do I fix it?
Unfortunately, your scores have been wiped due to a bug when exiting the game. Your current Superscore will remain on the leaderboard, but you will need to rebuild you scores for all the tables. Since this issue affects the statistics file, progress on Spider-Man and Epic Quest will also be reset.
Zen is aware of this issue and plan on correcting it with the first title update.
Q: How do I report a bug?
Send an email to the following address with "Pinball FX 2: [Table name] Bug" in the title:
[email protected]
Q: Where are the original tables for Pinball FX?
Microsoft delisted Pinball FX and its DLC with the release of the sequel. Pinball FX can still be played online, but the original versions of the DLC tables can no longer be purchased. Only the upgraded versions of the Pinball FX tables are available on the Marketplace.
Q: How do I import my original tables into Pinball FX 2?
Upon launching Pinball FX 2 for the first time, your Marketplace licenses will be checked. A message will pop-up allowing you to download the new versions of any previously owned Pinball FX tables.
Q: Can I import tables I've purchased for Pinball FX 2 into the original Pinball FX?
No.
Tables made for Pinball FX 2 are not compatible with Pinball FX. This includes the new versions of the nine Pinball FX tables (each table is about 5 mb larger).
If you did not purchase the original tables before they were delisted, you will not be able to play them in Pinball FX.
Q: Why does the free table I downloaded not import when I load Pinball FX 2?
Buccaneer was a bonus table for owners of the original game. It is included in the Classic Pack, which is a free download when a license is detected for Pinball FX.
Q: How do tournaments work?
When a tournament is available, a blue & gold winged helmet will appear on the icon for the corresponding table. To participate in the tournament, complete a game on this table while connected to Xbox Live.
The highest single score out of any tournaments you've participated in will be included as a bonus in your Superscore.
Tournaments in 2010 and 2011 ran for fifteen days and were held every few months. Tournaments in 2012 run for eight days and appear to be held more often (once a month).
Prizes are generally awarded to the top three players as well as random participants. Zen contacts winners via their gamertags.
Q: How do I send friend challenges?
Press X at the end of a game during the score tally screen.
Q: Why isn't my favorite pinball table available for Pinball FX 2?
FarSight [The Pinball Hall of Fame series] has acquired most of the licenses to classic and modern pinball tables. Many of them will be released under their new platform The Pinball Arcade.
For the time being, you can play classic and homebrew tables with the following free emulators:
Future Pinball
Visual Pinball 9 + Visual PinMAME
Both of these programs have front-ends available (HyperPin, Dreampin) for easy launching on custom built LCD/LED virtual pinball machines.
Q: Why aren't all of the Zen Pinball tables available in Pinball FX 2?
This is a licensing issue; Sony and Microsoft want exclusive content on their respective platforms.
The only way to play all of Zen's tables is to buy both games. The following tables will remain exclusive to Zen Pinball:
- El Dorado
- Shaman
- Tesla
- V12
- Ninja Gaiden Sigma 2 Tribute
n.b. An icon for Tesla appeared in the tech demo of Zen's Windows 8 pinball project. El Dorado and Shaman are available on Zen Pinball 3D [3DS].
Q. Are the Pinball FX tables based on actual pinball machines?
Yes.
While there are no physical versions of Zen's tables, they're often based on designs from classic pinball machines:
Speed Machine = White Water (mirrored)
Xtreme = Black Knight 2000 (mirrored)
Agents = Star Trek: TNG (mirrored)
Buccaneer = The Addams Family
Rocky & Bullwinkle = Sorcerer
Nightmare Mansion ~ Genesis (lower playfield resembles Haunted House's cellar, inverted)
Excalibur ~ Excalibur (central ramp with ball diverter)
The newer tables for Pinball FX 2 are more original, though there are a few notable similarities:
Pasha incorporates elements from Funhouse.
Secrets of the Deep is similar to Grand Lizard.
Rome is reminiscent of Medieval Madness (with Theatre of Magic's spinning trunk).
Blade borrows heavily from South Park.
Q: Will there be a PC version?
Yes.
Pinball FX 2 will debut on Windows 8, with support for other operating systems planned. Sorcerer’s Lair will be a free download as part of the Consumer Preview.
Q: Will there be a vertical orientation/"tate" mode?
Unknown.
Based on forum feedback, one of the Zen reps will be pushing for this feature in a potential PC release.
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