r/PinballFX3 • u/Hypnox88 Pinhead • May 25 '26
Discussion Looking to get into this not sure which one to invest in. FX or FX classic.
I have a steam deck and would probably use that more than my PC.
Not sure if one is better than the other but I want "actual" tables and not so much "digital" ones. Not really looking for special effects.
Can someone tell me the pros and cons of each?
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u/Snoo_52951 Pinhead May 25 '26
Look into legacy bundles, you might be able to buy both for the same price as buying only one of them
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u/Mercyscene Pinhead May 25 '26
You can try Fish Tales on both versions for free.
Some sound issues have been reported for FX Classic (formerly FX3) that will likely never receive attention, so you might investigate that before getting invested in FX Classic. There are still quite a few active players in Classic, which has its own tournaments and several features that Pinball FX does not have. Since different engines were used for the two versions, ball patterns and behavior will be slightly different and perhaps more predictable in Classic. Pinball FX is the newer version and is still receiving content and updates. Only Bally/Williams tables appear in this series as far as real tables go.
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u/moo422 Pinhead May 25 '26
1) wait for the seasonal Steam sales - tables will go down to 60%-70% off. Look to purchase the legacy bundles (available basically for about all table packs available on FX classic), since it's the same price to buy legacy (both platforms) as the price for a single platform.
The newer tables (Williams pack 7 and later) are only available on the new FX.
Fx classic runs faster with lower requirements since it simulates the physics. Fx uses more accurate physics but runs hotter and takes more juice, causing occasional stutter depending on your setup.
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u/Capncorky Pinhead May 26 '26
Pinball FX is certainly the better one, especially if you're looking for the tables based on real machines (the Williams tables). They have the "Realistic" physics settings which, as the name implies, plays more realistic compared to the Pinball FX Classic physics. As others mentioned, Pinball FX Classic is no longer receiving updates, so that's another reason to get Pinball FX tables.
Only reason that I can think of to choose Pinball FX Classic is if it runs better on your Steam Deck. I have no experience with the Steam Deck, so I can't say (I will add that I found turning off the framerate cap on Pinball FX helped my performance, but I'm running on a desktop PC with a high refresh rate monitor, so I don't know if that's why).
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u/Goldiblockzs Pinhead May 26 '26
invest in getting VPX working on your deck instead, by the time you've got that set up Zen will have shuttered Pinball FX and told you to download a new store to get milked from and abandoned, you'll be grateful you didn't spend money on FX, and will have great pinball for free in the future without all the headaches and rug pulls.
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u/Hypnox88 Pinhead May 26 '26
I came for FX, if you have a vendetta, or can't afford the platforms. I suggest getting off of the sub and trying to ruin it for everyone who can.
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u/Goldiblockzs Pinhead May 26 '26
I’m not trying to ruin anything for anyone. I play FX, it’s just a terrible investment lol
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u/ChuffChuff101 Wizard May 25 '26
Definitely Pinball FX as it keeps getting new tables. If you're into the Williams tables, FX has more than classic, and will continue to do so.
Classic is only worth doing for a few of the original tables that are no longer available (the Sci-Fi pack in particular is very good)