Key Highlights:
- Zen Studios confirmed that Zen Pinball 2 would launch on Wii U in North America on 21 March 2013.
- European Wii U owners had already received the game on 31 January following an earlier delay.
- Zen Pinball 2 was a free Nintendo eShop download, with individual tables and table packs available separately.
North American Wii U owners finally received a release date for Zen Pinball 2 on 14 March 2013, with Zen Studios confirming that the pinball platform would arrive through the Nintendo eShop on 21 March.
The European version had already launched on 31 January after Zen Studios delayed the original December 2012 release plans. North America faced a longer wait while the developer continued working with Nintendo on the game’s unusual free-download and paid-table distribution model.
Zen Pinball 2 itself could be downloaded for free, allowing players to sample available tables before purchasing individual releases or larger packs.
The Wii U version launched with a mixture of original Zen Studios tables and licensed content, alongside online rankings, tournaments, multiplayer and GamePad support.
Zen Studios continued supporting Nintendo’s console with additional pinball releases, including Star Wars Pinball later in 2013.
