Developer/Publisher: http://www.gameprom.com
Genre: Pinball
Price: $0.99
Acquired: Review Copy Provided
Verdict: If you even slightly enjoy pinball, this is a must buy.
Pros: Easy gameplay, amazing graphics, auto-save feature
Cons: Sometimes hard to figure out how to trigger events
When I step into the arcade the first thing I look for are the pinball machines. How many do they have? What condition are they in? Being a lover of the silver ball, I’m more often than not disappointed.
Then there is my Xbox, where the left and right triggers make pinball a joy to play. Why would I need to look further? Well, the love of laying in bed with my iPod touch is why. But I’ve been afraid of what the format of the iPod would do to one of my favorite games. In my mind it didn’t seem conducive to what playing pinball is all about. I’m glad Jungle Fever Pinball changed my mind.
This game is all about functionality and it fits well with the controls. To control the ball, you just tap either side of the screen. I had a little trouble with the left flipper not responding early on, but I figured out its sweet spot. Tilting the device will change the viewing area for you and if you shake it,the ball is bumped around the screen. Pinching in or out will give you a close up view of the ball or full board screen. Although you only have only one board to play with, it is tremendously awesome. The 3D graphics are amazing and Gameprom upped the ante with online leaderboards (which its two other free pinball games, Wild West Pinball and The Deep Pinball have as well) and my favorite feature – auto-saving! (Wait for applause.) It is one of the best features within this venue and I’m so glad they implemented it. If you click out of the app it saves your game right where you left off.
Jungle Style Pinball really feels authentic, and to me, that seems like a hard task. There’s a lot going on within the table and sometimes it feels like you will never figure out what to do. For those of you that do need help, Gameprom has a guide available on their website to get you moving. Even though it’s not available within the app, I’m alright with that. The fun would be lost for me, switching in and out of the game on my device to look at the guide.
From Helicopters to Big Kong, hula girls and palm leaves- Jungle Style Pinball leaves me begging for more play time. It will depend on what table layout you like best to determine if this is the pinball game for you. I think it is one of the best in the App Store and for $0.99, I can save my quarters, lay in bed, drink some coffee and work my way up the leaderboards all while enjoying one of the best offerings in pinball to come around in a long time. Win.
