Play Family Pinball:Rock 'n Ball Online

Family Pinball: Rock 'n Ball came out for the Nintendo Entertainment System in 1990, developed by Naxat Soft. It was one of those oddball releases that showed how developers were willing to experiment with the hardware, even late in the console's life. You don't see many pinball games with this much personality on the NES, and it definitely stands out from more straightforward arcade conversions.

You control the flippers, of course, but the game is split into several themed tables, each with its own objectives. One table has you bouncing the ball off Pac-Man ghosts to rack up points, while another turns the ball into a bomb you need to keep in play. The main goal is just to score as many points as possible before losing your balls, but the constant shift in mechanics keeps you on your toes. It's not an easy game; the physics are a bit floaty, and some of the table layouts are unforgiving. Still, there's a real charm in seeing how each table plays out, and it feels satisfying when you finally get a rhythm going.