Pinball is one of the oldest genres in the gaming market. Perhaps the only reason the game still retains its priority is that it never had adequate competition. We play Pinball when we are bored and need something to kill time—not as a serious game. While the classic Pinball was a rage, the newer versions are enhancements.
3D Pinball was one of the most popular games on any Windows XP machine. However, Microsoft decided to drop it from recent Windows versions. There is, however, a hack that allows you to get the classic 3D Pinball game on your Windows PC. But if you are looking for Windows apps, then this post is for you.
Pinball game apps for Windows 11/10
Let us take a look at the top 5 Pinball game apps for Windows 11/10 available in the Microsoft Store.
1] Pinball Star
We could well remember those good old days when Pinball was an in-build game on every Windows PC. That option was removed for the later versions because of which annoyed most Pinball lovers. Pinball Star is precisely the same game, with the difference that it’s downloadable from the Microsoft store instead of being a default app. Interestingly, despite the many versions of Pinball, Pinball Star remains the most downloaded one. Perhaps, it might never find a similar competition.
2] Cool Pinball Game
The Cool Pinball Game is a variant of the original, though pretty different with the gameplay while keeping the basics similar. Instead of shooting the small ball from the bottom, it is dropped from the top with bubble-type restraints obstructing its path. The user can control the lower shutters, and they have to keep the ball from falling. Besides that, the setup has a red diamond-like symbol that works as a time limiter. The user must keep targeting it to push the time limit further. Get the game from the Microsoft store.
3] Pinball Shooter
Pinball shooter is an easier variant of the original Pinball game. The gameplay is simple: Use the shutters at the bottom to direct the ball to hit the golden stars. Every hit adds points, and the game has a time limit. Obstacles in between change the path of the ball. Check this game from the Microsoft Store.
4] Slingpin
Slingpin is definitely not one of those regular Pinball games. It features tennis ball cannons, explosives, magnets, lasers, pinball bumpers, and more. This fun arcade/puzzle game involves smashing obstacles and making points. The game is available from the Microsoft Store.
5] Momonga Pinball Adventures
This is one of those games with a story, yet keeping the basic theme related to Pinball. A perfect game for kids, Momonga Pinball Adventures uses a flying squirrel instead of the regular small balls. The game involves cute animals and 3 different “worlds” where the squirrel has to make points. The 3 main characters are Momo, Fry, and Panda. Fighting the evil owls. If you like it, then download it from the Microsoft Store here.
Which one do you prefer?
Is Space Cadet Pinball on Windows 11?
Space Cadet Pinball is not pre-installed on Windows 11, but you can still download and play it on Windows 11 from various online sources. Ensure you download from reputable download sites to avoid malware.
Why did Microsoft get rid of Pinball?
Microsoft removed 3D Pinball – Space Cadet due to a collision detection bug that emerged during the development of 64-bit versions of Windows. This issue could not be resolved effectively, leading to the game’s discontinuation in later Windows releases.