Screenshots & trailers
How this score was computed
The VGC Score is a weighted blend on a press-comparable 0-100 quality scale. Steam approval rates are first calibrated (95% positive on Steam ≈ 89.5 quality, since Steam approval skews high). Press and tracked creator reviews each count ~2x a player review and share one cap against player evidence (creator buy/skip calls pool into an approval rate, calibrated like Steam approval); all-time sentiment is capped and halved (it's context, not verdict); reviews of the current build carry the most weight when a fresh patch anchors the window; and a 'typical game' prior keeps small samples from pegging the scale. Because press reviews and Metacritic user aggregates describe the launch build, their weight decays as the game ages (3-year half-life after a 1-year grace). That's how a game that launched rough can outgrow its old reception once updates win players over. Reviews under 2h playtime (the refund window), non-Steam activations, and free copies are downweighted.
| Component | Positive | Quality (0-100) | Weight (pseudo-reviews) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Press reviews (Metacritic) | – | 82 | 20 |
| All-time Steam reviews | – | – | 0 |
| Metacritic user ratings | – | 80 | 31 |
| Backloggd ratings | – | 65 | 141 |
| Post-patch Steam reviews (trust-weighted) | – | – | 0 |
| Calibration prior (typical game) | – | 72 | 50 |
Scoring window: last 30 days (no significant patch detected) · 0 reviews sampled · 0 total reviews in window · weighted 0 up / 0 down · computed 5h ago · full methodology →
Press & Creators reviews (19)
Individual verdicts from outlets we track: scored reviews first, most trusted outlets first among them. The small badge is each outlet's trust score: how well its scoring history aligns with players.
- 80
“Even if it doesn’t necessarily revolutionise the series, it still expands on it. In some cases it is hard to enhance given the source material. It has all the necessities including global leader boards, multiplayer action and fills each table with enough content to justify purchases, including challenges and a levelling system. With the game free to try out, there’s no harm in downloading it and taking a look at what the definitive pinball experience on the market offers.”
read full review ↗ - 80
“Nintendo Switch delivers easily the best version of the game. If you are a pinball fan, you shouldn't miss this pretty detailed and complete game you can play on the go, in handheld or handheld portrait mode. Or on a TV that you gently lay down on your knees to simulate the pinball machine like a true old school fan you are. It's only a joke, don't do that.”
read full review ↗ - 70
“Pinball FX3 leaves some things to be desired on the technical side of things, which can only be hoped to see fixed in the near future through an update since it looks and performs rougher than even its predecessor on the Wii U and, at least in terms of performance in handheld mode, worse than on the 3DS. Nevertheless, Pinball FX3 is an excellent way to experience original virtual pinball tables in this day and age, if not the go-to and indispensable way of doing so. Fans of pinball and/or Zen Studios' previous efforts in that area should then definitely give this new hub game a flip, but bear in mind the current technical limitations that are hard to fathom and which are yet to be resolved.”
read full review ↗ - 90
“Pinball FX3 is an incredible platform for pinball tables, and while a lot of the focus is still on high score chasing, the variety of modes and options makes this deeper than the typical pinball game. The future of this game will depend on how much Zen Studios supports it with new tables, but with 30 out there to start (with one free forever and two free for the first week), the diversity is there on day one. If the craft of each table matches the presentation in the platform, this should be a regular staple of any pinball-enjoying Switch owner.”
read full review ↗ - 80
“Pinball FX3 brings to the Nintendo Switch a wealth of tables based on many different and very known licenses from the worlds of gaming and film. Thanks to the option for a vertical view, the game allows the player to have a full vision of the table and the game offers enough fun for many, many hours of play.”
read full review ↗ - 80
“This isn’t authentic pinball, but it isn’t trying to be. Pinball FX3 embraces that it is video game pinball and is more enjoyable as a result. And isn’t pinball about getting high scores and having a good time anyway? ”
read full review ↗ - 90
“Pinball FX3 is a well-constructed platform for the old pastime. I appreciate Zen Studio’s take on pinball, favoring video game logic over a realistic one, while keeping consistent physics intact. Its online infrastructure and single-player progression are what keep me coming back and craving more, and this system can only continue to improve its appeal as more tables launch. But even as it is now, Pinball FX3 should be enough to make pinball wizards flip out.”
read full review ↗ - 100
“Just like on other platforms, The Pinball FX3 platform delivers a great pinball experience without costing you an arm and a leg. Combine that with the new challenge modes, multiplayer and the Switch exclusive options and you have yourself a great package for pinball fans and casual players alike. This app is a perfect fit for the Nintendo Switch and is a great addition to the ever growing library! Even if you already have this on another platform, the Switch version is fantastic. I highly recommend it!”
read full review ↗ - 95
“Pinball FX3 delivers a great pinball experience much like its predecessors. The touch screen controls with the Switch’s vertical orientation option work surprisingly well and are really responsive, though I personally prefer using the Joy-Cons for a more machine-like feel. As a free download and three free tables (one with the game and two as free DLC),as well as cross-play with PC and Xbox One players, you can’t really go wrong with this one.”
read full review ↗ - 75
“Pinball FX 3 is a great update to a well renowned series that deserves a spot on any pinball player’s Switch. That it has such a vast DLC collection also ensures you’re unlikely to ever need another pinball simulation in the near future.”
read full review ↗ - 90
“It's addictive stuff, all up. I've been playing Zen Studio's various releases for years now - in fact, aside from Hatsune Miku games I can't think of anything I've played more than these, and with the Nintendo Switch I imagine I'll continue playing long into the future.”
read full review ↗ - 80
“It may have a sparse selection of tables on the Nintendo Switch and visuals that looked more jagged than the inside of a shark’s mouth, but Zen’s Pinball FX3 is a magical replication of the joy of pinball thanks to some savvy use of the Switch hardware that’ll delight any pinhead on the go.”
read full review ↗
Nintendo Life
PLAY Zine
Cubed3
NintendoWorldReport
FNintendo
Switch Player
Darkstation
Gaming Age
Gaming Nexus
New Game Network
Digitally Downloaded
Critical Hit…and 7 more tracked reviews.