Zen Studios continues to expand Pinball FX with another classic Williams Pinball table, bringing Bally’s 1993 Judge Dredd machine to its digital pinball collection. Based on the iconic 2000 AD comic book series, the table brings Mega-City One’s criminal underworld, the Dark Judges, and the lawman’s relentless pursuit of justice to a fast-paced pinball experience. While Judge Dredd has appeared in several video games over the years, few have captured the character’s appeal as effectively as the original pinball machine. With its return in Pinball FX and Pinball FX Midnight, does this classic Bally table still hold up?
The table is based on the 2000 AD comics rather than either film adaptation, resulting in a playfield packed with references to the series and its characters. Mega-City One’s sprawling streets, criminal underworld, and brutal approach to law enforcement suit the fast pace of pinball surprisingly well, while the Dark Judges from Deadworld add a suitably sinister edge. The artwork and presentation are rooted in the comic’s distinctive visual identity, with plenty of nods to original artist and co-creator Carlos Ezquerra. The result is a busy, colourful table that feels appropriately comic-book-inspired without losing the physical character of the original machine.
Players are given a choice in how to begin a game, with Classic play offering ten different modes, each with its own leaderboard. This provides a more traditional way to work through the table’s objectives, while Super Game skips the warm-up entirely and drops players straight into multiball. The latter is a chaotic but fitting way to take advantage of the table’s busy design and multiple ramps, making it easy to jump straight into the action. This flexibility allows for either a methodical run through the objectives or a more immediate pinball experience, depending on the mood.
The table features a familiar combination of ramps, locks, and objectives, but there is enough variety in the layout to keep things interesting. The Mega-City Super Highway lets players chase down fleeing perpetrators at high speed, while the Space Station Robotic Arm releases balls locked in Deadworld’s orbit. Raising the crime level to a Class X Felony also increases the rewards available at crime scenes, introducing a satisfying risk and reward element that fits the source material. These mechanics are not particularly revolutionary, especially compared to some of the more elaborate tables in Pinball FX, but they are well integrated into the theme and provide a clear sense of progression as a game unfolds.
The playfield is more complicated than it initially appears, with multiple ramps and railings stretching across the table and several areas partially hidden depending on the camera perspective. The ball can build up considerable speed before emerging somewhere unexpected, making it important to keep track of its movement. Fortunately, the table has four flippers, with two at the bottom, a third midway up the left side, and a fourth higher on the right. These extra flippers are especially useful during multiball, when keeping track of everything becomes considerably more demanding. Scores can climb into the nine-digit range with relative ease, and the difficulty is reasonably approachable compared to some of the more punishing classic machines in the collection. There is still enough depth for players chasing leaderboard positions, and the table manages to be accessible without feeling overly simplistic.
That said, the left outlane and flipper gap can be particularly unforgiving, occasionally ending an otherwise promising run with little opportunity to recover. While this may simply be a consequence of the original machine’s design, it remains one of the table’s more frustrating characteristics. Players accustomed to Zen Studios’ more elaborate modern creations may also find the objectives and pacing relatively straightforward, although there is still plenty of depth for those looking to climb the leaderboards. The traditional design has its own appeal, and the table’s strengths are more than enough to keep the action engaging.
The Dark Judges provide the most memorable encounters, building toward Judge Death and The Ultimate Challenge Wizard Mode. Facing one of Mega-City One’s most infamous adversaries gives longer sessions and high-score attempts a satisfying endgame. The table is not particularly horror-focused in its overall design, but the Dark Judges make it a natural fit for Pinball FX Midnight, Zen Studios’ darker pinball platform. The standard Pinball FX release and the Midnight version offer the same table, so there is no gameplay difference between the two. Players who already spend time in Midnight will find Judge Dredd sits comfortably alongside its other darker offerings, although the standard Pinball FX version is equally enjoyable.
Zen Studios has also done an excellent job of recreating the physical feel of the original machine. The ball moves with a convincing sense of weight and unpredictability, while the sound effects capture the familiar clatter of the ball rolling across the playfield. The presentation is especially strong thanks to the camera options, which can be changed on the fly. Players can choose between different viewing heights or let the camera follow the ball around the table, making it easier to keep track of the action during busy moments. Optional augmented visuals add some extra flair by letting Judge Dredd appear on his Lawmaster or ride around the playfield. These additions are purely cosmetic and can be disabled for those who prefer a more authentic recreation, but they help distinguish the digital version from the original hardware.
On Nintendo Switch, the table arrives as a downloadable add-on for the free base game and is a relatively small download, making it an easy addition for those who already have the platform installed. Pinball FX Midnight is a considerably larger download, so players with limited storage space may want to keep that in mind when choosing which version to use. Purchasing the table in either version also grants access to the other on the same platform where available, so there is little reason to buy it twice. The choice largely comes down to personal preference, particularly for those who already have a library of tables in one version of the game.
Pinball FX: Williams Pinball – Judge Dredd is a welcome addition to Zen Studios’ growing collection of classic tables. While its traditional design and occasionally unforgiving outlanes prevent it from being one of the platform’s most compelling offerings, the faithful recreation of Bally’s original machine remains an enjoyable experience. The Judge Dredd licence is an excellent fit for pinball, with Mega-City One, the criminal underworld, and the Dark Judges providing plenty of material for the table’s objectives. It may not reinvent the format, but it captures the appeal of the original machine while making it accessible to a new generation of players. Pinball enthusiasts and 2000 AD fans alike will find plenty to appreciate.
Disclaimer: A review key was provided.