Review: Camp Bloodbrook Pinball M (Nintendo Switch)

Halloween might be over, but the chills certainly aren’t gone just yet, especially in this part of America. Let’s check out Camp Bloodbrook, an M-rated pinball table from Zen Studios that could be a spooky yet fun addition to your pinball collection.

To experience the full horror experience without any censorship, you need to download a separate core game. Pinball M, which can be considered the more “mature” version of Pinball FX, delivers blood, gore, strong language, and violence. It even comes with a free table called Elder Gods: Director’s Cut. The game also offers access to horror-themed DLCs like Chucky’s Killer Pinball, The Thing Pinball, and Texas Chainsaw Massacre Pinball. And for those nostalgic for the old days, there’s even a Duke Nukem table!

Some of the titles in Pinball M are also available in a tamer format through Pinball FX. If the added gore isn’t enough for you to open a different app, you’re in luck. Purchasing Camp Bloodbrook in Pinball M allows you access to its Pinball FX counterpart. Zen made a smart move there, but keep in mind that my review here focuses solely on the Pinball M version.

Camp Bloodbrook doesn’t tie itself to a specific horror franchise, yet it draws inspiration from classic cabin-in-the-woods slashers. It features a mysterious masked figure wielding a machete, a distressed park ranger, a cabin perfect for locking up your balls, and even a F.O.G. multiplayer mode. The table brings elements of these terrifying themes to life using Zen’s signature peripheral effects. Unlike traditional pinball machines, where you wouldn’t see machetes slicing across the table or damsels in distress popping up, this game uses such elements to weave a story centered on achievements rather than just chasing the top score. It’s refreshing to have a pinball game push you to explore its narrative.

In an earlier review, my colleague Trevor and I noted that Zen’s revamped Pinball FX tables felt too dim unless you fiddled with the gamma settings. For Camp Bloodbrook, however, the darkness enhances the experience. The shadowy areas add suspense as you wonder about the fate of your ball; sometimes it’s safe, and sometimes it’s not. The shadows also highlight your next targets, making this table intriguing to uncover. The fast-paced action might be intense but not overwhelming, even for those new to pinball. In spite of its slasher movie theme, it’s surprisingly welcoming to players.

Of course, not everything is perfect. The opening skill shot is exceptionally tricky to master, resembling more of a gamble than a true skill test. Additionally, the way the ball frequently enters the playing field via the left slingshot felt rather unusual and often threw off my game right at the start.

Moreover, the voice acting leaves something to be desired, coming across as somewhat flat. Perhaps it’s intentional, given the source material, but it does become tiresome after a while.

Beyond the action on the table, Pinball M – Camp Bloodbrook offers everything you’d expect from a Pinball FX game: daily challenges, achievements, various play options, and more. Whether you’re looking for a quick game to pass the time or diving into an extended practice session, Pinball M has you covered. And while I previously didn’t care much for the virtual arcade’s lighting and decorations, the eerie effects in Pinball M are oddly captivating.

In the end, Camp Bloodbrook stands out as one of the better offerings from Zen Studios since the launch of the FX series. Perhaps even the best, though, in fairness, I’ve played only a few. Although performance and visual hiccups remain on the Switch version of Pinball FX/M, Camp Bloodbrook could be the compelling reason FX 3 fans need to begin rebuilding their beloved pinball collections.