In 1998, Sega decided to take the South Park license for use in arcades. Instead of using it for an actual arcade cabinet, it used it for a pinball table, which, according to pinball aficionados, was average but better than the console video games at the time. Since then, the license has taken a hiatus from interactive entertainment and come back with two out of three very good video game iterations. They're also poised to make a pinball comeback, this time with a digital representation of the new set for Pinball FX2.

Unlike the last couple of releases for Pinball FX2, this pack includes two different pinball tables. The first table, and ultimately the centerpiece of the pack, is South Park's Super-Sweet Pinball. There is no overarching theme to the table, but the quests feature a number of characters and their respective famous episodes. Cartman's, for example, is about him getting an anal probe. Chef's quest sees him being set up for dates to teach the boys about love. Stan's quest has him trying to land a kiss from Wendy without throwing up, and Kyle tries to convince his parents that Mr. Hanky is real. This, coupled with a few other examples, like the search for the ManBearPig and Randy's coaching of a team for a new sport, are some of the highlights the team has chosen to cover the show's long history.

The table is absolutely packed with items on both halves of the table. The lower half has standard bumpers and return lanes, but it also features two pits on the right side and a pathway on the left that's only opened up for a quest. The upper half has plenty of ramps and pathways to explore and lots of bumpers. The upper-right side has a mini table set at an interesting angle with its own bumper, a tiny pathway to score from, and a toilet nearby for the skill shot. Every single one of these elements is involved in quests somehow, so each action feels like it would build to something bigger, whether it's littering the field with Cheesy Poofs to pick up or several instances of Kenny to smack down.

For fans of the show who aren't necessarily big pinball fans, there are plenty of things in the presentation that will be very appealing. The table is absolutely loaded with characters and references to memorable parts of the show's history. Everyone from the four boys to Terrance and Phillip is done in the flat paper style of the show, and the animations are just as crude. References are all over the place, from Cartman's stuffed frog to the weight gain powder to Cheesy Poofs, and other incidental characters, like Chef and Mr. Garrison, also make an appearance. The back of the table shows off various stills from the show, and the arsenal of shots is large enough that it can take several plays of the table before you see a fraction of what's being offered. The amount of fan service isn't just limited to the visuals, though, as the game has a plethora of lines from the show.

If there's a criticism that can be levied against this table, it would be that it can be a little too chaotic. The wide spread of pits and ramps and lanes means that character lines are playing constantly, and the frequency of repeated lines is rather high. Even though the ball remains a silver color and has a nice trail, the multitude of items and actions make for a distracting table if you take your eyes off of it for a second to see the window dressing. Multiple quests can also be activated at the same time, so it becomes hard to keep track of what you should try to complete to get the big jackpots. The table remains fun despite these things, but dialing things back a bit would have been nice.

The second table, Butters' Very Own Pinball Game, focuses solely on one of the series' more popular side characters. Like the first table, the quests reference episodes where Butters was given some extended focus. While most casual fans will recognize the Fun Time With Weapons references to getting ninja weapons, there are plenty of other tidbits scattered around, like the infiltration of a slumber party to get a fortune-telling device, the defense of Hawaii from invading tourists, and Butters' transformation to a goth vampire to avoid grounding. In each instance, you'll see Butters change into the quest-appropriate costume, which is a nice touch and good indication of the quest you're trying to complete.

The table actually goes for a more realistic setup, as most of the elements can be replicated in real life. The bottom area has the traditional bumpers and lanes on the side, but it's rather empty otherwise. The upper half is where the bulk of the action takes place, with plenty of ramps, long pathways, and a bumper set. There's also a small pit where the ball can fall in the center, which is also the location of an extra flipper, and the left side features a spinner similar to what you'd find in the classic physical pinball table, Cirqus Voltaire. The only real liberties taken with the table are the palm tree slingshot in the Hawaii quest and the smaller mini-table when you don the role of Professor Chaos and take on Coon and Friends.

Like the other table in the pack, the aesthetic is near-perfect. Lots of reference locales are here, from the palm trees to the fenced-off Mexican border and the appearance of Awesome-O. The table looks handmade, with cardboard lining up the walls and the upper bumpers wrapped up in crumpled foil. The characters are also done up in the same paper flat style as the show. To top things off, the table is placed in Butters' room, really emphasizing its child-oriented homemade nature.

Unlike the Super-Sweet Pinball table, there's not much to complain about. The move to a more traditional table setup means fewer occurrences of repeating voice clips. Goals are separate instead of mashed together, and the vibe is much more lighthearted due to the character and musical score. Also, despite the various costume changes and table change, there isn't any sign of distractions that are present in some other licensed tables. It feels like a more tightly produced table as a result and is certainly one of the better ones released for the game thus far.

Once again, Zen Studios has a great set of tables with the South Park pack. The almost-manic nature of the first table complements the more relaxed layout of the second table. The pack makes for a good experience when played in any order. The goals are numerous, and the presentation fits the aesthetic of the show quite perfectly. Most importantly, the game doesn't go overboard when trying to do things that a normal table couldn't do, making it much more inviting to players who might not be able to handle the chaos of a normal Pinball FX2 table. For both series fans and fans of digital pinball, South Park comes highly recommended.

Score: 8.5/10