Mystery Mansion Pinball dresses up an original table with all kinds of flourishes. Targets react with voice clips and sound effects. A roost of vultures perches outside of play, watching the action. Quick, simple videogame interludes—as seen in recent pinball tables—ask you to match on-screen prompts like Simon Says. But none of this makes up for the mediocre ball control; players will occasionally miss a hit, or the ball will do something physically impossible.

The horror-themed table includes ample targets, ramps, and other places to hit the ball. We enjoyed flinging it up to a center area where an additional, right flipper can poke it towards other targets. The fast-forward or –reverse buttons control the flippers independently, the center button hits them together, while you can nudge the table by swinging 270 degrees around the touch-wheel.

We usually had fun with these controls, but the game disappointed us with errors. Instead of slowing the ball down as it rolls up a held flipper, it stops suddenly at the top. Lots of wild flipping can magically save the ball from being lost; it just pops back into play. Worst of all, the game often ignores the second hit when rapidly firing both flippers; this is a crucial technique to save a ball that rarely works properly.

Casual players will enjoy the table, but aspiring pinball wizards will be frustrated with the controls.

Mystery Mansion Pinball
COMPANY: Gameloft
CONTACT: www.gameloft.com
PRICE: $4.99
REQUIREMENTS: iPod nano 3rd or 4th generation, iPod classic, or 5th generation iPod.
Table layout presents range of targets and ramps. Clear graphics and sound. Can tilt the table with too much nudging.
Ball occasionally moves erratically. Game often ignores second flipper when pushing them close together. Mini-games add little to the table.