Quoted Text

It's an ambitious game, but Pinball Jam fails to convey the frenetic action and pinpoint control real pinball is known for.  Two tables are included: Elvira "Queen of Darkness" and Police Force.  Designed like genuine, full-sized pinball tables, both feature full sets of bumpers, lanes, spinners, ramps, and two flippers on the bottom.  The tables scroll up and down smoothly to follow the action, but the ball itself tends to move in a "floaty" manner.  Pinball Jam's flipper controls are responsive enough, and you can even shake the table using the option button.  What's a shame is how the Lynx's low resolution severely restricts the amount artwork shown on each table.  The tables look messy, with hard-to-distinguish targets blending in with pixilated decorations.  Audio is one aspect where Pinball Jam does excel.  The Elvira table features a freaky, Halloween-inspired tune as well as numerous voice samples ("unpleasant dreams!").  I think Pinball Jam was just too ambitious for its own good.  Simpler table designs would have served the Lynx better.