Developers have been making video game versions of pinball for decades, but usually they're rather dry and exacting simulations of the real thing. If the tables from Flipnic were actually built as real machines, though, they'd be the size of a house and more dangerous than any rollercoaster. Although it's published by Ubi Soft, Flipnic has actually been designed by one of Sony's internal development teams--the same guys behind games such as Ape Escape and Fantavision. Flipnic has a lot in common with the latter, with some hilariously cheesy voiceover work and 70s-style TV imagery. The actual game is extremely good looking, with huge sweeping backdrops for your ball to bash against. Despite all the graphical finery Flipnic is at heart still a pinball game. There are four main themed worlds with two "tables" apiece, and on each table there are around half a dozen separate areas. You can switch between any of these areas by simply flicking your ball through a tunnel and, as long as you know the way back, you can return at any time. There are mountains of secrets to unlock that have you trying to feed monkeys, catch butterflies, shoot UFOs and much more besides. Succeed and you can usually unlock more areas--or at least rack up a huge score. As long as you accept the principle that it is still essentially "just" a pinball game, Flipnic is pretty much perfect at what it does: it's fast, funny, attractive and tons of fun. --David Jenkins
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