Gottlieb Pinball Classics features a bit of a history of pinball machines. One of the largest pinball machine manufacturers was David Gottlieb and Gottlieb Pinball Classics features eleven of the tables that he released. These tables range from some of the first that Gottlieb created through to his last machine. Whilst there are eleven tables, some of the tables are a little more gimmicky, for example one tells your fortune whereas on another table you’ll need to try and get the pinball in a specific hole for the highest amount of points.
The irony of playing pinball on a console is not lost on us.
The biggest difference in the Wii version of Gottlieb Pinball Classics is in the controls. The nunchuck for the Wii is used to control the left flipper whereas the Wii remote controls the right flipper. Giving the Wii remote a little tilt will tilt the machine. This means that the Wii version of Gottlieb feels a lot more realistic than the PSP version, it feels natural using the Wii remote and is easy to pick up for casual gamers.
The main single player mode in Gottlieb is the Gottlieb Challenge. Here you’re taken through a wide range of tables but to actually progress to the next table you’ll need to reach a certain score. For each table you’re allowed three attempts, but actually reaching the required score is no pushover. You won’t just be able to play through every table at your leisure. In the Gottlieb challenge mode you’ll earn credits which will then allow you to play through these tables.
Aside from the Gottlieb Challenge there is also a mode where you can practice. The Wii version also includes multiplayer support for four players. Players take turns in alternating shots to try and get the highest score. A neat little bonus is the fact you don't need to own four remotes, because you're alternating play you can use just the one controller.
If you’re into history then the Wii version also includes a photographic tour of the Gottlieb Pinball Factory. There are dozens of photos of the Gottlieb Factory which show you just how much effort used to go into the production of a pinball machine. For each of the eleven tables there is also a short write up on the history of the table, such as when the table was manufactured and why the table was so different to other tables at the time.
Looks complex..?
What really sets Gottlieb Pinball Classics apart from all of the other pinball games on the market is the realism. It appears that a lot of effort has been put into making the game feel realistic. For the most part the ball appears to move in a realistic direction, occasionally it does feels like the ball is floating across the table, but this is very rare. The tilt function is also a little harder to execute than we’d hoped. It’s very easy to tilt the machine even though it sometimes feels as if you’ve barely flicked the Wii remote.
Visually the game looks remarkably similar to the PSP version. Little details like being able to see a reflection in the glass and the colourful tables are impressive but sometimes the textures are a little blurry. It’s still far too easy to lose the ball amongst all of the colours too, which is a little bit disappointing. Overall though it’s hard not to be impressed by how well all of the pinball tables have been recreated. If you used to play these tables at the local pinball parlour then some of the tables may even feel familiar.
The developers haven’t tried to add techno or rock music to the game to make things a little more exciting, which is pleasing. There is basically no music in the game aside from the title screen music, when you’re playing on a table you’ll hear a lot of background noise which adds to the atmosphere. It’s even possible to hear other tables in the background. When you look through the history of a table the game provides voice narration, the narrator actually sounds extremely enthusiastic.
You'll be able to learn the history of this table in the game.
Gottlieb Pinball Classics is still a remarkably realistic pinball game but in the transition from the PSP to the Wii not all that much has changed. In fact all we’ve been given is a photographic history of the Gottlieb Factory and a new control scheme. The title is a budget price for the Wii, but it would have been appreciated if more tables or more features had been added. However, if you’re in the mood for a pinball game then you can’t do much better than Gottlieb Pinball Classics, but it’s a real shame that the game is almost identical to the PSP version released last year.
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