Zen Studios has been having a bit of a tough time making the leap from FX3 to the Nintendo Switch, and their latest offering, Pinball FX – Williams Pinball Volume 8, doesn’t quite break that trend. You might first wonder, “What happened to Volume 7?” (spoiler: it didn’t make it to the Switch), but more importantly, how do the tables in Volume 8 measure up? The answer, as you’ll discover, is a bit all over the map.
Starting on a high note, we have Black Knight 2000. Despite what the name suggests, this table actually debuted in 1989 as a follow-up to the original 1980 release. It’s a perfect throwback to the late ‘80s with its vibrant lights and colors, instantly dragging me back to the arcades of my childhood, even if I can’t recall ever playing this one back then. The standout feature? The music. Its quirky lyrics—“You’ve got the power (ha ha ha ha ha), you’ve got the might (no way), get ready for battle (give me your money), beat the black knight”—perfectly capture the vibe. Though it’s a bit tricky to master, you’ll find yourself returning to tackle the ramps and drop targets and watch that score skyrocket.
Next up is Banzai Run, one of two machines designed by Pat Lawlor included in this collection. While I have a soft spot for his work from the ‘90s, like Funhouse, Addams Family, and No Good Gophers, Banzai Run doesn’t quite hit the mark for me. The motorcycle theme isn’t particularly captivating, but the real issue is how cramped and empty the table feels due to its vertical design. This doesn’t just make it dull to look at and play but also highlights a lack of fluidity (is the stuttering a Switch-exclusive problem?). Even though the concept is intriguing, the table itself doesn’t draw me in or motivate me to improve my skills over time.
Finally, we have Earthshaker, a table that lends itself more easily to hitting high scores. The most distinctive feature here is the multiball, which evokes a particularly intense HD rumble on the Switch. It might come across as a gimmick, but there’s an aspect of immersion that fits nicely with the earthquake theme. Outside of that, Earthshaker is a fairly standard table, likely to appeal to newcomers to the world of pinball. Just make sure you’re not using a third-party controller without rumble support, or you might miss out on the full experience.
All in all, Williams Pinball Volume 8 gives us a somewhat hit-and-miss selection of tables. Black Knight 2000 delivers classic ‘80s nostalgia at its best, but at the asking price of $14.99, you’d hope for similar entertainment across the board. While Earthshaker banks on its HD rumble, Banzai Run feels more like a growing pain—sparse and struggling on the Switch. Consider adding this pack to your wishlist for a potential sale, or stick with the tried-and-true Pinball FX3 for now.
