SmartyScore: 90 out of 100 (Reviewed on Playstation 3)

In a time long since past, if a gamer wanted a challenge, they’d journey to a place known as an arcade.

Even the PS2 version of The Pinball Hall of Fame: The Williams Collection (shown here), is impressive in all its retro glory.

In that era, pinball machines were the test that only the most masterful gamers could pass. For a quarter, the gauntlet could be thrown down, only the skill level of the player would determine how long he would play.

Crave Entertainment brings that challenge into your living room with Pinball Hall of Fame: the Williams Collection.

Much like the classic tables that inspired the game, the beauty in Pinball Hall of Fame can be found in its spot-on reproduction of 13 pinball greats, including Black Knight, Whirlwind, Taxi, Arabian Nights, Sorcerer and Space Shuttle.

The control scheme only uses four buttons for actual game play. The R1 and L1 triggers act as the right and left flippers. The right analog stick is used to launch the ball. Real pinball wizards can nudge the table by flicking the left analog stick. Too many nudges will cause the game to “Tilt.”

Graphically speaking, Pinball Hall of Fame exceeds what one would expect a pinball game to look like, even on a next-gen system.

From the rubber laced flippers to the sheen emanating off of the ball, every feature has been recreated in HD to create retro viewing pleasure.

Every table comes equipped with it’s signature bells and whistles. Arabian Nights’ music and effects are particularly good, evoking a Middle Eastern vibe that matches the board’s rotating genie lamp perfectly.

On every table, lights races up and down the board, bumpers kick the ball convincingly and vintage scoreboard animations show off the original machines’ low-res graphics. Even the lobby used to virtually cruise the arcade and select a pinball machine is off the charts with detail.

The gameplay delivers as only a simplistic game with retro roots can. Three different game modes and 13 legendary Williams tables is an equation for unlimited replayability.

Novices will want to take advantage of the practice mode, while more daring gamers will be comfortable in either the Tournament or Williams Challenge modes. Of the three options, Williams Challenge mode offers the most endearing challenge. In it players must achieve the prerequisite “target score” before they are allowed to move on to the next table. Players can unlock other tables and hidden gems by using tokens earned in the practice arena.

For players looking to take a trip down memory lane or anyone that wants to spend some honing their hand-eye coordination in the midst of addictive challenge and beautifully rendered realistic backgrounds, Pinball Hall of Fame: the Williams Collection is the game for you. No quarters required.

Available on the PlayStation 2, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, Wii and PSP.

** Official game website