3D Pinball: Space Cadet

THE BAD:
Once you've reached Fleet Admiral (if you ever do) you'll probably only feel like playing this every once in awhile. An interesting phenomena I've observed is that the machine starts giving you just slightly more favorable action (fewer drains, more bounces that magically give you a chance for a saving flip, more 'lucky' drops into the arrowed holes you have to get into to get a replay ball, etc.). So, did they build that math into the program?? Or, have I just been playing this thing waaay too long?

SUMMARY:
I've set up the flipper controls on the right and left arrows so I can play it one-handed. Then, if I get on a boring conference call or I'm on hold with a tech, I bring this up. Beats sitting there with your chin on your hand trying to stay awake throuh the musak or tech blather in an accent that defies comprehension.

I've found that I make many more saves with that set-up as well. I set up table bumps on the up and down arrows, you've got to learn how to use those without tilting, they make a huge differnce in gaining mastery of the machine. And, you must learn how to get replay balls and extra balls or you'll never advance. Learning to be able to know and control which of the 3 choices you have to complete each ranking is key as well.

Some of these are incredibly difficult and you're screwed until you learn how to avoid refueling and let that choice run out of fuel. I mean, you can just hold the ball on the flipper until the fuel runs out but that will take forever and besides it's boring and wussy.

Learning how to flip the ball into the 'black hole' on the lower right side when that has a yellow arrow lit in front of it, as well as being able with the right flipper to back flip the ball up the shute on the right top side will dramatically increase your score and get you consistent shots at replay/extra balls.

So, after playing it for almost 10 years now (I've never cheated) I still like this game and while I don't play it longer than 25-30 minutes at a time anymore, it's as good a table as I've found.

My high score is 174,905,250. My average of my 5 highest scores is 126,890,300.
Anybody done better without cheats?

THE BAD:
None that pop to my mind, the graphics are good for '95 but don't get your hopes up if you are playing it for the first time ten years later.

SUMMARY:
I wouldn't actually pay for this game, but considering it comes with your computer [PC only, not Macs sorry] it's actually okay. I recommend it if you have bought a new computer and haven't hooked it up to the internet yet, 2.9/5.
I don't have much more to say about the game, it's just a nice little game to add to your collection.It runs fairly smoothly and has a variety of different levels. I think that's about all, happy gaming!

THE BAD:
Can be slightly repetitive and annoying

SUMMARY:
This game comes free with Microsoft Windows, so most people who ever read this should have it on their system.

One of the best things I found with this game was the ranking system where you had to complete a certain number of challenges to advance up in rank. By advancing you unlock new challenges that will carry more points. Obviously the aim is to get the highest score you can. To get these challenges you need to hit one of the yellow dots on the left of the table and then send the ball up the ramp near the bottom on the left hand side of the table. You'll then have flashing arrows pointing at where you need to send the ball to complete the mission. Once you've done that some blue lights will light up in a circle in the centre of the table. Once you light them all then you wil be promoted a rank. For me, trying to get through the ranks is what kept me playing this game time and again.

But trying to get through the ranks is a big pain as the ball all too often goes everywhere but where you want it to go. Actually having the desire to get to the highest rank in the game is another thing entirely. At the end of the day this is just basically a pinball game with some extra flashing lights and sequences of events to raise your points. Overall it's a pretty good game by pinball standards, but at the end of the day it's just that, a pinball game. That said I still think it's a pretty good game and I find myself playing it over and over trying to get further into the ranks. If you want to advance in rank then this game is for you, if you couldn't care less then this will only entertain you for a few minutes.

THE BAD:
-Dull
-Repetitive

SUMMARY:
The pros outweigh the cons, but the cons the important things, and you don't want to continue playing a dull and repetitive game, even if it's easy and nice looking. The layout is nicely done, everything seems to fit into place and it's easy to control around, because you know what you're firing at and what will happen once you've hit it a few times. The sounds were difficult to put into just one category, sometimes they just annoy you and you're frustrated by it, but basically at a good volume, they sound quite good and suits the game. A space game. That's what it is, and you can easily tell because sometimes things come up at the right hand side, reminding you how many refuels you have left and so on. It's very well done. If you've won a re-deploy or if you've sunk your ball too early, then another one will come and you won't have to go onto the next ball, number two or three. Because there are three balls overall..

It's pinball though, you either like it or you don't. Coming into the game you've got to think to yourself, do I like pinball? Do I really need to play this often or is a terrible game? Well it's free, so really you should give it a wirl. If you're not sure if you'll like it, then you've not played pinball. Once you have you'll be able to say "Yes, I'll like it." or "No. I hate it." Before you even play, because it's a typical pinball game. You can change the controls manually by the way.

How dull is it though? For me, very dull. All you do is press a few buttons once in a while, once you watch the ball hit off parts of the pinball table, or watch it sink down. It's repetitive in a sense as well, but pinball on a whole, is. I'm not saying I don't like pinball, but it's totally different from actually playing it in real life. It should come free with most computers, and is one of the best free games (gives you an idea of what the others are like..) so I say, give it a try.

THE BAD:
-When you use cheats, it won't give A high score.

-Very complicated missions sometimes, and usually at too early a rank.

-Without using cheats, it is very hard and takes a long time, if you even can get to the next rank. Farthest alone was 'Liutennant Commander.'

-Freezes eventually

SUMMARY:
As I said in the good, the theme is excellent, and there are plenty of things to hit and interesting things to happen.

It also has an awesome audio counterpart [a long soundtrack and good sound effects].

If you have most versions of Microsft PC's, you should have it already on your computer, so it saves you the trouble of buying a larger package for 15+ dollars.

I have spoken. Go and play 3-D Space Cadet Pinball now!

THE BAD:
Not enough gravity well time.

SUMMARY:
I am from the generation of pinball wizards. You can't find sports clubs w/decent pinball machines so when I go into withdrawals I play this game. This game brings closest all the excitement and emotion of the real thing. And the gravity well- nice touch. Really really test reaction skills. Can't get enough time with it before I lose the ball. Excellent challenge. Make another one!! Place a flipper at the top.