Total Pinball 3D

Total Pinball 3D
DeveloperSpidersoft
Publisher21st Century Entertainment
PlatformMS-DOS
Release1996
GenrePinball

Total Pinball 3D also known as Pinball 3D-VCR is a 1996 pinball video game developed by Spidersoft and published by 21st Century Entertainment. It is an updated version of Pinball Mania.

Gameplay

The gameplay features standard pinball action across four tables equipped with roll-overs, ramps, spinners, and drop targets, utilizing at least three flippers per table. The player navigates multi-ball action—including a practice mode supporting up to 10 balls—utilizes adjustable table angles to alter ball speed, and can access an instant replay feature and a statistics tracking package to monitor performance.

GRY.

A demo version with only the "Tarantula" table was available.

Multiball modes feature up to ten balls, with an option to reduce the number for lower powered PC's.

Development

The game is one of a series of pinball games Spidersoft developed for 21st Century Entertainment.

The game reuses the four tables developed for Spidersoft's 1995 game Pinball Mania. A 3D rendered version was added, with the 2D view remaining as an option. The game released as Pinball 3D-VCR, but called Total Pinball 3D in the United States. The "VCR" in the name refers to the ability to record games and play them back.

The tables reappeared in third-party games Platinum Pinball and Pinball Advance, with Spidersoft rearranging the "Jackpot" table to use in Expert Pinball 4000.

Reception

GameSpot found that Total Pinball 3D doesn’t really bring anything new to the table. Computer Game Review recommended Total Pinball 3D to anyone who's really serious about their pinball game.

Next Generation found little to distinguish the game from its competitors, with only the 3D mode worth using.

Computer Gaming World

Software Gids

PC Zone

References

  1. 1 2 Poole, Stephen. "Review". GameSpot. Archived from the original on February 6, 1997. Retrieved October 23, 2026.
  2. ↑ "Total Pinball 3D - Pinball 3D-VCR". GRY-Online.pl (in Polish). September 11, 1997. Retrieved 2026-10-23.
  3. ↑ "File Action". PC Action (in German). September 1996. p. 60.
  4. ↑ "Pinball 3D VCR". Micromanía (in Spanish). No. 13. February 1996. p. 8.
  5. ↑ "CVG News - 21 ST CENTURY PINBALL UNLIMITED". Computer And Video Games. No. 172. March 1996. p. 20.
  6. ↑ Thorpe, Nick (2022). "Ultimate Guide Pinball Dream". Retro Gamer. No. 230. p. 94.
  7. 1 2 "Hardcore Gaming 101: 21st Century Pinball". Hardcore Gaming 101. Retrieved 2026-10-23.
  8. 1 2 Snyder, Frank (June 1996). "Total Pinball 3D". Computer Game Review. p. 58. Retrieved October 23, 2026.
  9. ↑ "Total Pinball 3D". GameSpot. Archived from the original on June 5, 1997. Retrieved October 23, 2026.
  10. 1 2 "rating PC". NEXT Generation. Vol. 2, no. 21. Imagine Publishing Inc. September 1996. p. 158. ISSN 1078-9693.
  11. ↑ Atkin, Denny (June 1996). "Hands On - Total Pinball 3D". Computer Gaming World. No. 143. pp. 48, 50.
  12. ↑ "Pinball 3D-VCR". Software Gids (in Dutch). No. 38. July–August 1996. p. 12. ISSN 0926-0501.
  13. ↑ "NOGMAALS: PINBALL 3D-VCR". Software Gids (in Dutch). No. 39. September–October 1996. p. 16. ISSN 0926-0501.
  14. ↑ "Pick N Mix". PC Zone. No. 39. June 1996. p. 81.