Roxy Raccoon’s Pinball Party (XSX) Review

It is true. Roxy Raccoon’s Pinball Party is a pinball game. However, this title is shortchanging this low-cost digital release. Instead, it almost plays more like a Mario Party mini game compilation because there are so many other things to do other than playing pinball.

What this ten-dollar digital download lacks in polish, it overcorrects itself with a surprising amount of content. There are nearly 30 pinball tables, each sporting numerous objectives, and more than two dozen mini games. If you think of your favorite pinball game of all time, chances are, that game maybe has two tables, a high score leaderboard, and that is it. However, this game has a stupid amount of tables and mini games to boot. Like, there is no reason to have this much content in a pinball.

But the question is, is this wealth of content actually fun to play? Unfortunately, yes and no. No in the sense that there is an overall lack of polish at every turn. For example, I was able to basically get stuck in an endless loop on one table as the plunger would shoot the ball in the same starting position with each launch. While there is plenty of variety between each table, the camera angles are never ideal, especially the default position. Also, it is nearly impossible to simply navigate the main menu, something that the player does a lot, because there is basically no color change when that option in the menu is highlighted.

Visually, it is easy to tell this a budget release. For some reason, there is a weird story cutscene as the game begins in which a witch and a raccoon tangle. This is a pinball game. There doesn’t need to be a story but there is one, apparently. Also, there is no need for the raccoon. Not sure why, but the raccoon sits on the edge of each table, serving more purpose. Strangely, the player can unlock new outfits for this trash panda, but why? If the story, the raccoon, and this unnecessary dress-up feature were removed, this would be the exact same game. Instead of shoehorning this into the game, it would have been a better use of time to add polish to each table and make the menu system manageable. 

When the player grows tired of collecting gems and high scores on the pinball tables, there are many ridiculous micro games available. From guiding a ball on a path to precise wall jumping, each game is weirder and more nonsensical than the last. There are no explanations for these game too. Meaning, there is a very good chance you will die within the first second of gameplay, only surviving through trial and error. 

Roxy Raccoon’s Pinball Party is such a bizarre game and reminds me of Soda Drinker Pro. Sure you can play pinball, the main advertised attraction, but it is the absurd mini games that steal the show. Then, having it all wrapped around a tedious menu system and quality visuals is the icing on the cake. Even though it isn’t a great pinball game, I still respect it for being so weird and throwing a stupid amount of bs content at the player.

Not As Good As: your 4^th favorite pinball game of all time

Also Play: Marble It Up

Wait For It: Super Monkey Ball Banana Rumble 

By: Zachary Gasiorowski, Editor in Chief myGamer.com

Twitter: @ZackGaz

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