Second in Amtex' line of computer pinball games (after Tristan Pinball) and the first to simulate an actual pinball machine, Eight Ball Deluxe is an excellent replication of a popular Bally Midway pinball machine of the same name.
The game features hi-resolution graphics, supporting modes from 320 x 200 all the way to 1024 x 768. One of the game's strengths is the ability to change the voltage levels, which allow you to either supercharge or deaden the bumpers, and the ability to change the pitch of the playing field, making the action faster or slower. Another unique feature is the magnet ball, which allows the player to, using his mouse, drag the ball around the playing field, to experiment with the different scoring methods and to develop strategies.
Unfortunately, the game has one large drawback: lack of variety. Other computer pinball hits such as Pinball Fantasies and Epic Pinball include several different pinball games, while Eight Ball Deluxe includes only one. To it's credit, however, there is nothing wrong with the game itself. It's perfect for those times when you've got five minutes to play something. The ball and flipper physics are of proper simulation quality. The sound effects realistically capture the sound and speech synthesis of the time and convey a charming arcade feel. I can't much criticize the game for anything, as its goal is to replicate an actual pinball machine, and it does it well.
If you don't like an older, slower pinball machine that mainly has a target bank, a few bumpers and rollover lanes, you probably won't like this computer equivalent either. But if you want to relive a bit of nostalgia on your PC, Eight Ball Deluxe succeeds in spades. Highly recommended, especially for fans of the real table.
Review By HOTUD
Eight Ball Deluxe Version 2.0 additional notes
There are several important differences between the way the original Eight Ball Deluxe worked, and this new Version 2.0. These are:
- SVGA Support
- Use of EMS rather than XMS as in the original version.
English 
Comments and reviews
Do we have to download each and every file? What does "Version 2.0 Pre Installed 2 MB" mean or do? Do we just need to download that and it all works?
The serial number for the Eight Ball Deluxe v2.0 floppy version is :
EZ001114301
8 ball deluxe IBM computer version
Can't get the sound to work through
Multimedia speakers only through speaker
In computer very tinny sounding thought it
Worked when I first installed it haven't used
For awhile any ideas send your ideas to
Mark.callies@yahoo.com thank you
Same as Pinfox, any serial I put (9, 10, 11 characters) in during the install of v2 gives an "entered serial is not valid". Unzipped the lzhs manually, ran the crack, but that won't work either (serial not found). Too bad.
This "black screen" effect means, you have to increase the clock speed in DOSBOX.
After installed (with any 10-lenght password) , the crack.com copied in the same folder of the 8balldlx.exe, move the clock speed to 20.000
It worked for me :-)
The crack for v2 does work, just follow the steps in the nfo file and when the game is cracked, if you run the game, you'll get a black screen for a while. Just wait and the game will load
for some reason in v2 it wont take the random serial i put in
The game works great! Fill in the letters with anything for the install password,. (I used abcdefghijk) Then the only other thing you need to do is place the "crack" file into the folder you installed the game into, and run it,. and the game is cracked and ready to go! This was such an awesome pinball machine and this comp version really plays like the real table its quite cool!
For instructions read "genesis.nfo" file as text file.
Fill the serial with any letters for the install.
this game runs slow
It asks for a key code during installation. The files in ver 1 had already been 'installed' or extracted so just had to play the game but ver 2 wants a code. Any ideas please?
No comment nor review for this game at the moment.