Pro Pinball Fantastic Journey

Fantastic Journey is the fourth game in the Pro Pinball series, which, in my mind, are the best pinball simulations available to date. Despite its age, the graphics still look top-notch, and the pinball physics, like its predecessor, Big Race USA, are about the best you can get in a simulation. One important thing to note about this series is that it is a simulation in the true sense, in that you can configure it just like you would an actual table. There are a huge number of options in the operator menu, that allow you to choose the exact table rules that you want to use during gameplay. In addition, you can also set the table slope and maintenance level for a fully customized game. Also, like most of the games in the series, Fantastic Journey isn't just a standard pinball table, in that it features a huge array of gameplay and multiball modes to keep things interesting, in the service of an overarching (if thin) storyline. What this means is that, unlike a more basic table, there is enough to do to keep things interesting. Plus, if you're a fan of huge scores, Fantastic Journey gives you plenty of opportunity to rack up an amazing amount of points (and, unlike some of the earlier games, it's not all done via video mode). Admittedly, I have a few quibbles with this version, mostly compared to its predecessor. First, there is no challenge mode (sort of a co-op mode for pinball, where you play with a friend in order to complete the game objectives, while still competing on score), which was a fun addition to previous games in the series. Also, compared to BRUSA, the total number of modes seems a bit lacking, considering the immense variety in that game. Finally, there is less music in Fantastic Journey, and the main table loop is too short (and doesn't really loop, for that matter), so it gets repetitive faster than it should. All that being said, though, Pro Pinball: Fantastic Voyage is another excellent entry in this series, and while it doesn't quite measure up to Big Race USA (I'd put it more on par, in terms of features and plot, with Timeshock), it's still an incredibly fun pinball game, and absolutely worth the price if you are a fan of this genre. Oh, and one final note: in my opinion, this table seems to be "faster" than its predecessors by default, so you might consider taking the table slope down a bit if you're having a harder time at first.

Pro Pinball: Fantastic Journey is an excellent simulation of exactly one pinball table. That's really the only complaint you can come up with for it. The ball physics are great, the graphics are beautiful, and the table is challenging. I guess I really can't knock it too much for that though. One really good table all it claims to be, and that's exactly what it is.

There are so many areas in Fantastic Journey where the ball will just fall dead untouched by the flippers, I do not recommend it to anyone who isn't willing to learn skillfull shots and too good accuracy. When I say dead ball it refers when the ball will go down without ever touching the flippers and you lose. The first skill shot I had to learned was how to get the ball to the other flipper when I have it trapped. You will learn this because of determination and even then your next shot after trapping or "trapping then get it to the next flipper" will have to be precise. The spinner ramp and the one to its right side are "dead ball candy" areas. Also the immediate left side of the spinner with three letters...there are multiple angles when the ball hits it it will go dead. If you want a really good and fun pinball experience from Pro Pinball I highly suggest Pro Pinball Big Race USA.

I owned this and Timeshock and they still remain my favorite computer pinball games of all time. I bought this because I haven't been able to get my copies to work since windows 95. Unfortunately, one of the best things about the games for me was the excellent music and this version of the game appears to have the music stripped out. It's not really a surprise since the music was always the most fiddly part when I was trying to get the game to work (I think it played directly from the CD). 5 stars for the game, but 0 stars for removing part of the game without mentioning it.