Question 1

Is Visual Pinball X free?

Accepted Answer

Yes. It is free and open source, mostly under GPLv3+, with the rest of the code under an older MAME-style non-commercial licence.

Question 2

How many tables come with it?

Accepted Answer

One playable example table ships with the simulator, plus a blank table and calibration tables. Other tables come from their authors; PlayBound will add original tables whose authors give permission.

Question 3

Do I need ROMs?

Accepted Answer

Only for tables that recreate real commercial machines through PinMAME. Those ROMs are copyrighted and PlayBound does not supply them. Original tables need no ROM.

Question 4

Which version does PlayBound install?

Accepted Answer

The stable 10.8.0. The 10.8.1 builds on GitHub are pre-releases the developers mark as not for general use.

Question 5

Can I use a controller?

Accepted Answer

Yes. VPX supports gamepads and dedicated pinball controllers, as well as keyboard. Map them in the settings with F12.

Question 6

Does it run on Mac and Linux?

Accepted Answer

Yes, natively since 10.8: Apple Silicon and Intel Macs, and Linux x64 plus Raspberry Pi and RK3588 ARM builds. On iOS there is a free App Store app.

Question 7

Is there multiplayer?

Accepted Answer

Local only: up to four players take turns on one machine. For friends elsewhere, use a PlayBound couch session.

Question 8

Does Visual Pinball X have multiplayer?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Visual Pinball X supports up to 4 players. You can play together on one PC with phones or extra gamepads as controllers. PlayBound Connect handles the setup: start a party with your friends, pick how you want to play, and everyone launches into the same game from the PlayBound launcher. It also supports hotseat play. There is no subscription and no paid multiplayer tier.