Note: This review covers DLC for the Pinball FX game. The base game is already covered in another review. I'd also like to thank Zen Studios for the review key to this title.

Before video games were a thing, there were other means of entertainment. Pinball, in its earliest form, dates back to the 18th century and remains a popular pastime today. Pinball FX Volume 9 is simply another reminder of why it's been so long-lived.

Before I continue, a bit of background. Pinball is so named because the oldest style tables had the player's ball ricochet off various pins to determine score. Modern tables replace the pins with movable paddles called flippers that the player can use to send balls into bumpers and other internal components of the machine to rack up a score. Regardless, the game finally ends when the player runs out of balls to continue racking up score, generally by having them fall out of the bottom end of the machine into the insides.

Pinball FX (as in, the base game) is effectively a framework for allowing the player to play digital recreations of many real-world pinball tables. By default, it provides three free tables, with the rest available for a limited time. These additional tables can be unlocked permanently by purchasing certain game DLC, permanently adding them to the playable tables you can try.

This review concerns Volume 9 of the included tables, of which there are three, all based on real-world tables. TAXI has a theme that should be obvious. Who Dunnit is a 1930s noir film detective-themed table, and PIN*BOT is an 1980s sci-fi-themed table. Aside from the different design of the table internals, they all have the same basic gameplay loop of Pinball. Specifically, you need to use the flippers to keep the ball itself racking up points, bouncing off bumpers and other things on the table proper to get as high a score as possible.

Graphically, the tables are fairly faithful representations of the original real-world pinball tables. That said, they have been modernized in some ways, with 3D effects, better lighting, and other touches to make their digital versions stand out. The default game HUD is set to make it feel like you are playing a real-world pinball table, and the effect is well done. There is an option to toggle the tables between modernized 3-D effects and their classic real-world original appearances, depending on your preference.

The sounds and music are all copied faithfully from the real-world tables that the game versions are based on. All sound effects are crisp, so every point scored, every bumper the ball bounces off of, and every time the ball is deflected off the flippers feels impactful, just like an actual pinball table.

This title can be controlled by the keyboard and mouse or any Steam-supported controller. Given you really only need to worry about the keys for the flippers and the plunger (which launches the ball into the playing field), the controls are easy to master in minutes regardless what control device you use.

Stability is fairly solid. This game works natively on Microsoft Windows. It can be run on Linux via Steam Proton and is rated Playable for the Steam Deck.

Morally, there is not very much to complain about. The WHO dunnit table has some mild implied violence, but that is about it. The language is clean and there isn't anything overly sexual. This title is pretty grounded in the real world, and there is nothing morally wrong with playing pinball in and of itself.

Overall, while I'm not a major fan of pinball, I still found it pretty fun to play regardless. Technically, this title is pretty solid. Morally, I found nothing of note to object to; this is generally safe for all ages. If you are a pinball fan and want to play some classic pinball tables, this DLC is a worthwhile investment.