First, it must be mentioned that pinball games lend themselves well to the Game Boy Color. These games typically don't take hours to play (unless you're extremely good) and pinball games are instantly playable. A quick game can be played on the way to work or while waiting at the airport. In addition, there's not a huge learning curve or an odd control schemes to overcome. This is always a must for the younger kids, which is what this game is aimed at in the first place.

Pinball Frenzy features two different pinball tables. The first one features Ariel and characters from the first Mermaid movie. The second table showcases Melody and, as one might expect, incorporates characters from the second movie. Each mode of play features music straight from the cartoons and will be instantly recognizable to those who have seen them. Each board is littered with bumpers, ramps, spinners, and scoops. In the center of the screen, right above the left and right flippers, is a video screen. Different icons will appear as you continuously hit the ball against the various bumpers. Once you manage to spell out A-R-I-E-L (if you're playing Ariel's table) you will enter the mini-game that is currently shown on the video panel. There are a total of 16 different mini-games that can be played. Each one will first show you a quick video clip from the movie and then you will attempt to win as many points as you can in that game. Each mini-game is different from the other in premise, but all involve the pinball in some way. For example, if you manage to play Scuttle's Treasures, you will see him flying near the top of the screen. Your goal is to hit the pinball into Scuttle to make him drop the treasures he's holding on to. Then you must hit the treasures with the pinball to collect them. If you manage to complete this mini-game you will be rewarded with 100,000,000 points. Each mini-game is a variation of a scene from the movies and all are equally fun to play. Once you have accessed the mini-game, it becomes playable as a stand-alone game.

Since Pinball Frenzy is only for Game Boy Color (you can't play this game on older Game Boy units), the graphics are extremely detailed. The entire table won't fit on the small screen so the screen moves up and down to follow the ball. Each board is decked out with items straight from the movies. Seashells are used as bumpers, Flounder will eat your pinball, and even Ursula is there to wreak havoc. Flashing lights and arrows abound, showing you where to hit the pinball to obtain a higher score. As mentioned above, short animation clips from the movie will appear in the center of the table at key moments during the game. The animation is done so well that you'd swear you were watching a cartoon instead of playing a game. Fans of the cartoons will love the graphical design of the game, but even if you've never watched The Little Mermaid before you will have just as much fun.

Up to four players can partake in the pinball challenge. Each player will take alternate turns to try and obtain the highest score. And you can prove who won by printing out a listing of the scores if you have the printer. Not to be outdone by Pokemon Pinball, Pinball Frenzy also has the built-in rumble feature so you can feel the ball hit the bumpers. Due to its universal appeal and fantastic gameplay and graphics, this game manages to entertain kids and adults alike. Nintendo has yet another winner on its hands with a fun game that lives up to its license.