Despite missing the height of pinball popularity I’ve always really enjoyed playing Pinball machines, especially some of the better licenced ones such as Judge Dredd, Doctor Who and Indiana Jones pinball games. I was never much of a fan however of the digital/PC versions. They were okay as a diversion but I never really got into them.
Now when the iPod touch came out someone showed me the game that you roll a ball around a maze and I was really impressed at the simulation, not really thinking what application it might have. Of course a year or so later and my favourite time waster on the iPhone is a pinball game, specifically The Deep from Gameprom.
Why I was keen to play it:
I was looking for a game to play on the iPhone that wasn’t too in depth so I could play during down time in a shopping centre or on the train. I had also played and quite enjoyed Gameprom’s earlier free pinball game Wild West. The Deep was pretty inexpensive too, under $2.
What I liked:
- Easy learning curve, the game is completely intuitive and you just need to get used to the timing just like you do in a real pinball game.
- Excellent simulation of a pinball table.
- The dialogue is often quite funny with a quote from Terminator and exclamations such as “Money money money!”
- Plenty of stuff to do on the table, Wild West was a little simpler which is to be expected.
- Gameprom have updated and arguably improved the game three times since I bought it.
- Price is nice.
- LOVE the new multiball feature.
What I didn’t like:
- Load time on my iPhone 3G is not always that good and occasionally crashes, I suspect this doesn’t happen on the 3GS. It also slows right down when the phone is doing anything else which again is a memory issue I’m sure.
- The new timed ‘missions’ is annoying and unnecessary and the timer beep is horrible!
- Turn off the background music straight away in the settings, for me it’s unwelcome.
Would I recommend it?
Yes I would, to anyone looking for a neat game on the iPhone and who likes pinball games.
You can buy the game at iTunes.
