# Zen Studios Adding Bally World Cup Soccer to Pinball FX

**Source:** Knapp Arcade  
**Type:** article  
**Published:** 2022-10-13  
**Beat:** Pinball

**URL:** https://www.knapparcade.org/zen-studios-adding-bally-world-cup-soccer-to-pinball-fx

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## Analysis

Zen Studios announced the addition of Bally's 1994 World Cup Soccer to Pinball FX, available on Epic Games Store on October 20th. The author expresses mixed feelings about the announcement—appreciating the full licensing unlike the Farsight Pinball Arcade version, but disappointed that Zen continues to port games already in Pinball Arcade and that current Pinball FX is unavailable on Nintendo Switch or Steam.

### Key Claims

- [HIGH] Zen announced World Cup Soccer is coming to Pinball FX — _Direct announcement mentioned; release date October 20th on Epic Games Store_
- [MEDIUM] Zen's World Cup Soccer version is fully licensed, unlike Pinball Arcade version — _Author's observation comparing licensing status between platforms_
- [HIGH] Current Pinball FX offerings are only available through Epic Games Store on PC, not on Nintendo Switch or Steam — _Author's direct experience as long-time customer_

### Notable Quotes

> "I love both virtual and real pinball."
> — **Author (Knapp Arcade)**
> _Establishes author's perspective defending virtual pinball against community skepticism_

> "This is a very special game for me. Not only was World Cup Soccer the very first real pinball machine that I ever bought (after Baby Pac-Man if you count that as a pin), but it is the last game that I ever played with my brother."
> — **Author (Knapp Arcade)**
> _Personal investment in World Cup Soccer; emotional context for the announcement_

> "Zen's current Pinball FX offerings are only available through the Epic game store for PC and not at all on the Nintendo Switch. That's super disappointing for a long-time supporter like myself who has bought every virtual pinball table in existence on his Switch."
> — **Author (Knapp Arcade)**
> _Critique of Zen's distribution strategy and platform availability_

> "It's a little disappointing to see Zen continue to do tables that were already done in Farsight's Pinball Arcade, however unlike the Pinball Arcade version, Zen's version of World Cup Soccer appears to be fully licensed, which is nice."
> — **Author (Knapp Arcade)**
> _Mixed sentiment: criticism of redundant licensing while acknowledging quality improvement_

### Entities

| Name | Type | Context |
|------|------|---------|
| Zen Studios | company | Virtual pinball developer announcing World Cup Soccer for Pinball FX |
| World Cup Soccer | game | 1994 Bally classic pinball game being ported to Pinball FX; author's first real pinball purchase |
| Pinball FX | product | Zen Studios' virtual pinball platform; current version limited to Epic Games Store on PC |
| Pinball Arcade | product | Farsight Studios' virtual pinball platform; featured World Cup Soccer with licensing limitations |
| Epic Games Store | company | Platform distributor for current Pinball FX on PC |
| Nintendo Switch | product | Gaming platform where author played previous Zen and Farsight virtual pinball titles; not currently supported for Pinball FX |
| Bally | company | Manufacturer of original World Cup Soccer (1994) |
| Farsight Studios | company | Developer of Pinball Arcade; created earlier version of World Cup Soccer |

### Topics

- **Primary:** Virtual pinball platform releases and licensing, Zen Studios product distribution strategy
- **Secondary:** Platform availability and exclusivity (Epic vs. Steam vs. Switch), Classic Bally game preservation and porting, Virtual vs. real pinball market dynamics

### Sentiment

**Mixed** (0.4) — Author appreciates the announcement and licensing quality but expresses frustration with platform exclusivity and redundant porting of games already in Pinball Arcade. Personal nostalgia for the title is positive but tinged with melancholy over loss of personal copy.

### Signals

- **[licensing_signal]** Zen's version of World Cup Soccer features full licensing, contrasting with Farsight's Pinball Arcade version which had licensing limitations (confidence: medium) — Author observation: 'unlike the Pinball Arcade version, Zen's version of World Cup Soccer appears to be fully licensed'
- **[market_signal]** Zen Studios limiting Pinball FX to Epic Games Store exclusivity on PC while removing Nintendo Switch support, contradicting consumer expectations and previous platform availability (confidence: high) — Author's direct experience: 'Zen's current Pinball FX offerings are only available through the Epic game store for PC and not at all on the Nintendo Switch'
- **[announcement]** Zen Studios officially announced World Cup Soccer coming to Pinball FX on October 20th, 2024 via Epic Games Store (confidence: high) — Direct announcement mentioned; specific release date provided
- **[sentiment_shift]** Community frustration with Zen's porting strategy favoring redundant Farsight Pinball Arcade titles over original content or unported classics (confidence: medium) — Author states: 'It's a little disappointing to see Zen continue to do tables that were already done in Farsight's Pinball Arcade'

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## Transcript

A lot of real pinball fans don't like virtual pinball, but I personally don't discriminate. I love both virtual and real pinball. I used to play the heck out of The Pinball Arcade and Pinball FX3 on my Nintendo Switch. I'd even be fine with buying them in Steam to play on my PC. Alas, Zen's current Pinball FX offerings are only available through the Epic game store for PC and not at all on the Nintendo Switch. That's super disappointing for a long-time supporter like myself who has bought every virtual pinball table in existence on his Switch.

This afternoon, Zen announced that it is bringing the 1994 Bally classic World Cup Soccer to Pinball FX. This is a very special game for me. Not only was World Cup Soccer the very first real pinball machine that I ever bought (after Baby Pac-Man if you count that as a pin), but it is the last game that I ever played with my brother. I sold my World Cup to Jord and we played it at his house on my last visit. Alas, that game is no more.

It's a little disappointing to see Zen continue to do tables that were already done in Farsight's Pinball Arcade, however unlike the Pinball Arcade version, Zen's version of World Cup Soccer appears to be fully licensed, which is nice. Dog soccer in full effect. The game will be available through the Epic game store on October 20th.

_(Acquisition: raw_text, Enrichment: v1)_

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*Exported from Journalist Tool on 2026-04-13 | Item ID: 5fdae419-6dae-4da5-95ec-b45cadc1906b*