Devils on the Moon brings the score-chasing of pinball to the Playdate

Pinball video games have been around for years — I cut my teeth on Space Cadet 3D Pinball , which was pre-loaded on Windows 95. They range from realistic recreations of pinball tables you’ll find at arcades to games that could never exist in real life like 2019’s Demon’s Tilt or older ones like Metroid Prime Pinball for the Nintendo DS or Pokémon Pinball for the Game Boy Color. I didn’t expect to find a detailed pinball game for the humble and delightful Playdate, but a pair of developers working under the name Amano pulled it off with Devils on the Moon Pinball , which arrived last week. It’s the developer’s third game for the Playdate, and Mario and JP (who make up Amano) pointed directly to Pokemon Pinball as the inspiration for this game. “I think one of my most-played games is Pokemon Pinball, ” JP said. “But the idea to make a pinball game came from Mario… he came to me and say ‘JP, I want to make a custom engine for Playdate and we should make a pinball game.’” I love playing pinball in real life, but owning a full-size table is extremely expensive and takes up a ton of room. But Devils on the Moon completely scratches the itch. The controls are extremely simple: pressing left on the d-pad flips the left fipper, A flips the right flipper, and pressing down on the d-pad launches the ball. Amano also included tilt controls; pressing right or up

6 April 2026 at 07:34 pm

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Devils on the Moon brings the score-chasing of pinball to the Playdate

Devils on the Moon Pinball brings the score-chasing thrill of pinball to the Playdate

Pinball video games have been a staple in the gaming world for decades. From the days of Windows 95, where Space Cadet 3D Pinball came pre-installed, to modern titles like Demon’s Tilt and Metroid Prime Pinball, pinball games have captured the imagination of players with their combination of strategy, luck, and arcade-style fun. Even older titles like Pokémon Pinball for the Game Boy Color have left a lasting impact on the genre.

Little did anyone expect a detailed pinball game to grace the humble and delightful Playdate, a handheld device known for its unique crank-powered operation. However, the duo of developers working under the name Amano, consisting of Mario and JP, have achieved just that with their latest release, Devils on the Moon Pinball. This game, which arrived last week, marks their third game for the Playdate and is a direct nod to the classic Pokémon Pinball.

“I think one of my most-played games is Pokémon Pinball,” JP shared. “But the idea to make a pinball game came from Mario… he came to me and said, ‘JP, I want to make a custom engine for Playdate and we should make a pinball game.’”

The inspiration behind Devils on the Moon Pinball is clear, but what sets this game apart is its ability to replicate the pinball experience in a compact, portable form. Owning a full-size pinball table is an expensive and space-consuming endeavor, but Devils on the Moon completely satisfies the itch for a pinball adventure.

The controls are designed to be intuitive and easy to pick up. Pressing the left direction on the d-pad flips the left flipper, the A button flips the right flipper, and pressing down on the d-pad launches the ball. Amano has also included tilt controls, allowing players to shake the table in specific directions using the right or up directions on the d-pad or the B button. While the crank-operated feature of the Playdate isn’t utilized in this game, it’s an interesting thought to ponder how it could have been integrated.

Upon playing Devils on the Moon Pinball, one is immediately impressed by the game’s physics and table design. Despite the lack of analog control, the ball’s reactions to flipper hits feel consistent and smooth. The game’s unpredictability, with its surprising bounces and paths, adds to the excitement without feeling unfair. Each time a ball is drained, it’s a result of the player’s actions, making the experience all the more rewarding.

Devils on the Moon Pinball is a testament to the creativity and dedication of the Amano team. By bringing the classic pinball experience to the Playdate, they have not only paid homage to the genre’s rich history but also provided a new way for players to enjoy the thrill of score-chasing in a portable, accessible format. This game is a must-play for both longtime pinball enthusiasts and those looking to dip their toes into the world of pinball for the first time.

Source: Engadget is a web magazine with obsessive daily coverage of everything new in gadgets and consumer electronics

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