After playing around with several machines at Pinballz in Austin, Texas I settled on what I have since learned to be a contentious Sega machine: The X-Files.
The X-Files is a machine designed and manufactured by Sega Pinball Inc. of Chicago IL. The machine was designed back in the late 90s, arguably at the height of the show's popularity. It was initially released in September of '97, which, you might remember, was relatively close to the release of The X-Files feature film, The X-Files: Fight the Future, which came out in the summer of '98.
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| I want to believe that was just a coincidence, but perhaps there is something deeper...I'm sure the truth is out there. |
As you can probably tell by now I am a fan of the show, which is what initially sparked my interest in the machine. But once I started playing, the machine quickly drew me in with its dark and moody atmosphere, which in my experience is somewhat unusual. The board is dominated by shades of black and blue, but the various lights and flashes still manage keep the table well enough illuminated for easy game play.
It is also a comfortable machine to play on with solid flippers and a slightly oversized ball. Overall, the playfield is forgiving, making it attractive to novices like myself, but its tight ramps give even experts a challenge. I have read that many feel that the artwork is dull, and that may be so when compared to the wider world of pinball, but it evokes the tone of the series rather well.
Overall, the The X-Files seems to be well received by fans of the show, but otherwise remains a denigrated machine. The game admittedly lacks a certain amount of depth when compared to some of the more popular titles, and it doesn't have the sort of flashy, engaging playfield toys that are popular among many enthusiasts. This, combined with the slightly oversized ball, the tight ramps, and the ever-looming filing cabinet that dominates the center of the board, make it unattractive to some players.
To some extent The X-Files deserves these criticisms, but it nevertheless remains a solid game that is faithful to its expensive license. It offers many hours of enjoyable gameplay and rewards those who take time to master it with fast play and a smooth flow. It does seem that the development was a bit rushed, as in my opinion a few tweaks could have greatly improved the look of the game. For example, the board is decorated with plenty of figures representing creatures or events from the show, but not only does the player not interact with them, they are also completely static.
A few creative modifications would make this less-than-desirable machine a blast, and because of the bad rap, The X-Files can be picked up for a very reasonable price.
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