My Played Video Games Review: Super Pinball: Behind the Mask for the Super Nintendo

_{Image source}

Super Pinball: Behind the Mask is a pinball simulation game for the Super Nintendo/Super Famicom, originally released in 1994 in North America and Japan.

I kind of love pinball games. They are an obvious time waster indeed. Will this one stand out among the pinball games released during the '80s and '90s?

Japan only Super Famicom box cover art. (Image source)

The Story

Super Pinball: Behind the Mask offers an authentic pinball experience on your Super Nintendo Entertainment System. It includes features like thumper bumpers, multi-ball play, skill shots, bonuses, and jackpots - all the exciting elements of real pinball, without needing to insert any coins.

The game has three different playfields, allowing competitive action for 1 to 4 players. There is also a 1-player Conquest Mode where you progress through levels and attempt to find the Forbidden Doors. The game provides genuine music, sound effects, and screen displays to replicate the true pinball atmosphere. If you think you are a pinball wizard, challenge yourself with this game!

Box, manual and cartridge of the game. (Image source)

The Graphics and Sound

The game strives for realism, and the one aspect where it somewhat succeeds is in the realistic representation of pinball machines and the ball itself. The ball is convincingly designed to mimic a real metal ball, with reflections that enhance the illusion. However, this is where the positive elements end.

The visual presentation of the game is overwhelmingly simplistic and lacks depth. There are only three pinball machines in the game, which translates to just three different screens with unimpressive backdrops featuring an unattractive clown, a peculiar pirate, and a wizard.

The audio falls into the depths of mediocrity. The game features a repetitive techno music track accompanied by various "bleeps" and "bloops" from the pinball machines. However, the most significant audio drawback is a grating robotic voice that constantly utters phrases like "are you ready?" and "wanna try again?" If you're not careful, listening to this audio for more than a few minutes might result in a headache.

Gameplay video sample of Super Pinball: Behind the Mask. Watch in 360p for near TV resolution of that time.

The Gameplay

Super Pinball: Behind the Mask captures the essence of real pinball, offering three distinct tables: Pirate, Wizard, and the Joker. Unlike many pinball games, this one provides a complete view of the entire playing field, replicating the real-life experience of standing in front of a pinball machine.

You can enjoy the game with up to four players, taking turns to play. Super Pinball offers two modes of play: a single play on any of the tables or a quest game, where you need to score a specific number of points on a table before advancing to the next one. The game is known for its challenging nature, but it's also highly enjoyable.

Each of the three tables presents a different level of difficulty, with the Joker table being the easiest and the Wizard table the most challenging. While it's possible to nudge the table to some extent, it's easy to tilt, so caution is required. The shoulder pads on the Super Nintendo controller are appreciated for controlling the flippers.

Replay value is mediocre. The lack of a save feature does pose a roadblock to replayability. It's puzzling why the designers didn't include a save or password system. However, despite this limitation, it shouldn't block you from enjoying the game. The realistic pinball experience it offers and the engaging gameplay still make it a worthwhile choice for pinball enthusiasts.

My Verdict

If you have a fondness for pinball and miss the days of playing it in arcades or bars, you won't be disappointed with Super Pinball: Behind the Mask. Even if you're not typically a pinball enthusiast or haven't tried it before, it's worth giving this game a shot – you might be pleasantly surprised by the experience.

Play it on the valuable Super Nintendo/Super Famicom or play it on a pretty good emulator. Play it with friends.

Let's keep on gaming in the free world!