{"id":995231,"date":"2026-01-08T12:38:33","date_gmt":"2026-01-08T12:38:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.polygon.com\/?p=463177"},"modified":"2026-01-08T12:38:33","modified_gmt":"2026-01-08T12:38:33","slug":"pinball-spire-comes-so-close-to-nailing-the-pinballvania","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/arcader.org\/news\/pinball-spire-comes-so-close-to-nailing-the-pinballvania\/","title":{"rendered":"Pinball Spire comes so close to nailing the \u2018pinballvania\u2019"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Pinball Spire<\/em> blends two of my favorite game genres: pinball and Metroidvania-style<\/a> video games. That rare combination was explored in 2018\u2019s Yoku\u2019s Island Express<\/em><\/a>, but Pinball Spire<\/em> takes a different approach to the \u201cpinballvania\u201d idea \u2014\u00a0it\u2019s more clearly inspired by Castlevania than Metroid, treating its pinball playfields like a series of medieval dungeons to conquer.<\/p>\n

As Pip, a sentient pinball with eyes, I climb a dark and mysterious tower, using flippers and plungers to smack the circular hero ever upward in Pinball Spire<\/em>. Pip can unlock special super powers on his pinball-themed quest, earning the ability to slow down time for lining up perfect shots and the ability to turn into a fireball, which lets him smash through enemies (instead of bouncing off of them). These powers are used to solve the game\u2019s environmental puzzles, like lighting a series of torches in a pitch-black room.<\/p>\n

Levels are laid out like simple pinball fields. There are ramps to ride, spinners to, uh, spin, and multiple flippers scattered around each level. Enemies, many of them flying eyeballs or other threatening orbs, can be smashed for mana, which powers Pip\u2019s abilities. Breaking your way out of the game\u2019s various dungeons requires finesse, solid aim, and \u2014 too often \u2014 a great deal of patience.<\/p>\n

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