Review of Williams Pinball Vol. 8 for PlayStation 5

Are you excited for new additions to the Pinball FX universe? Get ready to dive into the excitement with the Williams Pinball Volume 8 DLC pack! This latest collection introduces three thrilling tables—Black Knight 2000, Earthshaker!, and Banzai Run. Each table offers the choice between their classic format or an enhanced version, complete with Zen Studios’ signature upgrades. Picture a 3D tower and a formidable 3D Black Knight, along with improved lighting and added special effects. Earthshaker! gets a similar treatment with a 3D convertible and a pocket seismograph, while Banzai Run goes all out with a 3D helmet, bike, rider, and hand grips as you maneuver your ball like a motorcycle through the action-packed playfield.

The Black Knight 2000 table stands out with its dual-layered playfields, presenting players with unique challenges and strategies. Balls initially shoot into the upper playfield above the WIN rollovers. From there, they descend to the lower level near the Magna Save. The trick is to return the ball to the upper tier via the Skyway Ramp or Lightning Wheel Lane to maximize your score, a crucial move that ensures you keep the ball in play while racking up points.

What’s your mission in Black Knight 2000? Conquer the drop targets to spell KNIGHT and relight the left kickback within a time limit. Bank letters stay completed even if you miss the deadline. Completing BLACK nets a big bonus when you launch the ball up the Skyway Ramp. Keep an eye on the spin lamp; when it shines, shoot the ball into the Lightning Wheel for a random reward. Need the lamp lit again? Just hit the left inlane rollover.

Advance by spelling WAR at the central rollovers, enabling a Hurry Up at the Skyway Ramp, whose value increases with each successful shot. To trigger the ultimate multiball experience, lower the drawbridge by hitting its three targets and locking balls via the corresponding ramp. Complete WIN rollovers to enhance your bonus multipliers and activate RANSOM shots at the Drawbridge.

Next up, Earthshaker! challenges players with predicting earthquakes to score big bonuses. Launching the ball with enough zip through the plunger lane nets big rewards, each of the four spiral exits offering their own score boost. Hit the Shelter sinkhole for a random prize—anything from extra points to zone completion. Loop shots raise the stakes on bumper scores.

Aim for blinking ZONE targets to illuminate the ball lock at the Shelter sinkhole. Two locked balls and then a third can kick off multiball madness, lighting up the center ramp as you work towards the jackpot. This achievement even lands you a trophy! Increase captive ball value and score more by hitting the center ramp. Quick multiballs with two balls push your score higher, faster.

Banzai Run, the third table, is an intense, fast-paced race against time as you challenge other racers, pursuing ultimate victory. Engage with Red Hot, Blue Beard, Yellow Belly, or Green Machine by targeting their corresponding colors. Once challenged, the vertical playing field—the backglass usually reserved for title artwork—comes into play.

Master the Banzai Hill by guiding the ball to the finish line in the vertical field’s top corner. Defeat all racers and secure second rank to achieve multiball. Activate Time Lock and corner a ball in the center eject hole for jackpot chances. Aim for Banzai Hill’s top spot with another ball to shoot the captive ball and dethrone the King of the Hill.

Explore the vertical playfield’s enclosed upper right corner during the Freestyle Course. Here, the ball springs into action, targeting rivals challenged during the main course. Either hit laps on either side of the table for extra lap tallies or use ramps for double laps when available.

On the trophy front, the Williams Pinball Volume 8 joins the Additional Tables #6 DLC trophy list, offering a Bronze trophy for each new table. To claim these, conquer all opponents and reach Rank #1 in Banzai Run’s race, spell BLACK on Black Knight 2000 to unleash Skyway shots, and light zones to start multiballs on Earthshaker!

Feel the thrill of table transformations with each game, as Zen Studios delivers that extra flair we all love. Available as a Cross-Buy DLC pack, Williams Pinball Volume 8 offers these three tables for both PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5 at $14.99.

Disclaimer: This overview of Williams Pinball Volume 8 was crafted from a PlayStation 5 copy provided by Zen Studios.