So this isn't DLC for Zen Pinball 3D?

I had hoped that they might include a more involved virtual guide for the tables. As much as I enjoyed the original Zen Pinball, I thought the static images and descriptions were not enough and I often found myself not understanding what I had to do in order to initiate certain phases or challenges.  I would have found it useful for an actual realtime guide to be included for each table to familiarise players with the various sections of the table and explain some of the best ways to build multiplyers etc.

I wish they would make a dc pinball as well!

I find that it's more fun to find out by yourself by just messing around. Then it's a nice surprise when something starts happening.

Hmm... the only thing to give me pause is that Excalibur was my least favorite table from Zen Pinball. There were too many interruptions and odd modes in the game, making me feel like I could never get a real rhythm going.  Stuff like jousting or the mini table for robber knights/king's challenger is neat but took me right out of my game.


Marvel Pinball should still be a great set of new (to me) tables though!

No. They announced a little while back that Zen Pinball 3D is getting downloadable content, but that Marvel Pinball will be a completely separate downloadable title (presumably with its own downloadable content).


As a guess, this is probably because of the licensing. Separating the games makes it easier to maintain Zen Pinball if the license ever changes or expires, for example.

This would've been a great idea. I have no qualms with the existing game "as is"... but that doesn't mean it couldn't be better with more detailed features like this.  On the other hand, sometimes it's nice to learn about a table as you play. Part of the old-school charm (for me) is trying to figure out how to make things happen and what skills/techniques will help you earn the best scores without being told.

@ejamer &  FreudianLemur

True, learning the tables by yourself can be fun. However, there are probably quite a few people like myself who never played pinball growing up and for whom much of the intricacy of these tables may be hidden a little too well. I'm not suggested that a guide be included which would simply tell the player how to achieve a high score, but rather that some of concepts and ideas be explained a little better just to give those with less pinball experience the tools they need to achieve a better understand of the tables.

I agree, it can take a while to work out what's going on. But (I have never even been near a pinball table, let alone played one, and this is the first pinball game I've ever played) I think it'd still detract a little. I think if I knew what I had to do right from the moment of first playing a table, I'd get bored of it a lot faster.