I really don’t understand why Dream Pinball 3D on the Wii has received such poor reviews. Sure, it has its faults, but it’s far from the worst pinball simulation I’ve played. In fact the tables in Dream Pinball 3D are amongst the best original creations I’ve played. However the game does give a very bad first impression - perhaps that’s what has put off some reviewers?

Let’s begin with that first impression. When I started a table my first reaction was that it was a mess - the graphics were chaotic and I had no idea what was going on. Ironically the main issue is Dream Pinball’s main selling point, the 3d nature of the tables. All the tables in this game are deep to allow room for the multiple raised ball lanes that form the focus of much of the play. The extra space is also used for 3d ornamentation. All this would probably look superb on a real table but on a flat simulation it just becomes messy and confusing. Maybe it works on a large, HD screen but I’m not in a position to find out.

This is where many people might give up on the game - which is a shame as after time it all makes sense. It’s just a case of persevering and getting to know the tables.

The other criticism often aimed at Dream Pinball 3d is the camera. All pinball simulations have camera problems. When you’re simulating a portrait orientation table on a landscape orientation screen you either show the whole table - and lose half your screen space - or zoom the camera in to the ball and lose context.

Dream Pinball 3d provides six “follow” cameras and one fixed table view, these can be selected and switched at any time during the play. Unfortunately the follow cameras aren’t always fast enough and can sometimes lose track of the ball, clearly unacceptable. Whilst this is annoying I’ve found that using camera angle 4 seems to minimise it happening. In addition, once you know the table then it’s usually possible to react instinctively with the correct flipper.

Those two - admittedly rather large - negatives aside this is a pretty good game. Playing on the Wii helps. I strongly recommend using the nunchuck with the controller, the Wii buttons are just too close together for the controller only option to be viable. Using the nunchuck also allows you to hold your hands apart and gives a much more realistic tactile experience.

Now on to the most important part of any pinball game: the tables. The tables in Dream Pinball 3D are good. Very good. They’ve clearly been designed by real pinball players.

All the tables could be built in the real world - although Amber Moon with a ridiculous eight flippers is unlikely to be commercially feasible! Each flipper has at least one good shot to aim for and there are skill features such as using the flippers to cycle the lit lanes for bonus multiplier and ball save.

Flipper power is good, table speed is just right, the shots are all possible without being too easy. The tables also “feel” right as integrated designs rather than collections of random features. Although all tables are superficially similar (with combo ramps, ball change etc) once you get to know them they all have their own individual styles (for instance Dino Wars has a post in front of the central out hole).

One feature that doesn’t really work is “ball change”. During the game the usual metal ball can change to one made from different materials, including one that glows as if radioactive! It reminds me a bit of the gumball from the old Bally game Twilight Zone. Unfortunately the different types of ball appear to have a negligible effect on gameplay.

That aside, these are generally excellent tables. With one exception (Spinning Rotors) I’d be happy to play any of them in an arcade.

Overall Dream Pinball 3D on the Wii is a collection of excellently designed tables let down by a flawed implementation. If you’re a fan of real pinball and are prepared to get past the initial confusing impressions to spend time learning the game then it’s well worth a look.