Addiction Pinball
A pinball game with tables based on Team17's own games.
Addiction Pinball is a 1998 pinball video game for Windows, developed by Team17 and released by MicroProse. Its two tables are based on other Team17 titles: *World Rally Fever* and *Worms*. To leverage the popularity of the *Worms* series, the game was ported to the PlayStation in 1999 under the name *Worms Pinball*, published by Infogrames exclusively in Europe. A stripped-down Windows version, also called *Worms Pinball*, appeared in 1998. It was first bundled in a *Worms* compilation pack that included *Worms*, *Reinforcements United*, and *Worms 2*. This cut-down edition also came with the first print run of *Worms Blast* for Windows in 2002, and was released on Steam in 2012. Unlike the full game, this version lacks the *World Rally Fever* table. The *World Rally Fever* table centers on racing cars and vehicle maintenance. Beyond chasing a high score, the main objective is to take part in various races. The *Worms* table, based on the *Worms* series, tasks players with completing missions and gathering weapons to raise their rank and progress through five areas: Arctic, Mars, Jungle, Desert, and Hell. It offers more room for the ball to move and features more ramps and bonuses than its counterpart. Addiction Pinball was re-released in 1999 under the Hasbro Interactive budget label as an "Action" title. It later appeared in *The Armageddon Collection* (2000), a compilation that paired it with *Worms Armageddon* and a *Worms Armageddon* screensaver. The PlayStation version was re-released in an Infogrames "Best Of" collection alongside *Worms Armageddon* and Infogrames' *Hogs of War*. The Windows *Worms Pinball* edition was included with the first UK pressing of *Worms Blast*, and in 2012 was released on Steam. According to GameRankings, the game received favorable reviews. *Next Generation* called it "the smoothest-playing and best-looking pinball game we've seen," while *GamePro* summed it up as "Wow."
Quick Facts
- Title
- Addiction Pinball
- Developer
- Team17
- Publisher
- MicroProse / (PC) · Infogrames / (PS)
- Platforms
- Microsoft Windows, PlayStation
- Released
- Windows / NA · 19 May 1998 · EU · 1998PlayStation / EU · 12 November 1999 · UK · January 2000
- Genre
- Pinball
- Modes
- Single-player, multiplayer
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
Addiction Pinball was developed by Team17 and published by MicroProse for Microsoft Windows in 1998. It features two tables: one based on World Rally Fever, centered on racing cars and car maintenance, with the primary goal of participating in races; and another based on the Worms series, where the aim is to complete missions and collect weapons to increase rank and progress through five areas—Arctic, Mars, Jungle, Desert and Hell. The Worms table offers more space for the ball and more ramps and bonuses than its counterpart. A cut-down version for Microsoft Windows, also titled Worms Pinball, was released in 1998 and includes only the Worms table. It was initially included in a Worms compilation pack containing Worms, Reinforcements United, and Worms 2, and later with the first print run of Worms Blast for Windows in 2002. In 2012, this version was released on Steam. The PlayStation version, published by Infogrames and released only in Europe in 1999, was also titled Worms Pinball. Addiction Pinball was re-released in 1999 on the Hasbro Interactive budget label as an "Action" title. It was also included in The Armageddon Collection, a 2000 compilation pairing it with Worms Armageddon and a Worms Armageddon screensaver. The PlayStation version was re-released in an Infogrames "Best Of" collection that also included Worms Armageddon and Hogs of War.
Reader's Guide
Addiction Pinball's significance lies in its dual-table design based on Team17's own intellectual properties, bridging the pinball genre with the company's popular racing and strategy franchises. The game received favorable reviews according to GameRankings, with Next Generation calling it "the smoothest-playing and best-looking pinball game we've seen" and GamePro stating "One word sums up this game: Wow." Its legacy includes multiple re-releases and ports, notably the PlayStation version retitled Worms Pinball to leverage the Worms brand's success, though that version was exclusive to Europe. The cut-down Windows version, also called Worms Pinball, extended the game's reach through inclusion in compilation packs and later digital distribution on Steam in 2012. The game's inclusion in The Armageddon Collection and an Infogrames "Best Of" collection further cemented its place alongside other Team17 titles. Despite the original Addiction Pinball name, the Worms-themed version became the more widely distributed form, appearing with Worms Blast and as a standalone Steam release.
Did You Know?
- The PlayStation port was retitled Worms Pinball and released only in Europe in 1999.
- The cut-down Windows version of Worms Pinball includes only the Worms table and was included with the first print run of Worms Blast in 2002.
- The game was re-released on Steam in 2012 at the same time as Worms Crazy Golf.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Addiction Pinball?
Addiction Pinball is a 1998 Windows pinball game created by Team17 and shipped by MicroProse. It features two playable tables drawn from the studio's own earlier titles.
Which pinball tables can you play in Addiction Pinball?
The game includes two tables: one themed around Team17's racing title World Rally Fever and the other around their artillery series Worms.
How did Addiction Pinball become Worms Pinball on PlayStation?
In 1999 Infogrames released a PlayStation port in Europe under the Worms Pinball name to ride the franchise's popularity. A separate trimmed-down Windows build also went by that title and was bundled inside a Worms compilation pack alongside Worms, Reinforcements United, and Worms 2.
Who developed and published Addiction Pinball?
Team17 handled development while MicroProse acted as the publisher for the original 1998 Windows release.
Why do Team17 fans consider Addiction Pinball noteworthy?
It is one of the few Team17 titles that turns the studio's own game worlds into pinball layouts, making it a fun meta-nod to their catalogue. It also served as the basis for the European PlayStation Worms Pinball release.
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