‘Star Wars’ franchise makes pinball debut with ‘Pinball FX 2’ expansion

"Star Wars" is everywhere these days.

From Disney’s latest deal to purchase the franchise to the popular Cartoon Network series "Clone Wars," "Star Wars" is showcased all over the place in the best way possible.

Among these is now "Pinball FX 2’s" digital pinball fields.

Yes, "Star Wars" joined the likes of "The Avengers" and "Street Fighter" on the pinball circuit, where people without arcades can use their tiny metal balls to gain tons of points.

It still might be hell on your fingers, though.

There are three new boards in the "Star Wars" pinball pack, each based on a popular element from the franchise.

"The Empire Strikes Back," "Clone Wars" and a whole board dedicated to the baddest mamma-jamma this side of the universe, Boba Fett, provide themes for the player’s pinball experience.

The "Empire Strikes Back" board gives players a chance to re-enact pivotal moments from "Episode V," such as defending Hoth against storm troopers and AT-ATs and training with Yoda to become a Jedi Knight.

It also features a lot of dialogue from the film, although it sounds like it was recorded by sound-a-likes rather than reusing sound clips from the original.

Overall, this board seems to have the most longevity of the three and is a good way to dispose of hours of free time.

The "Clone Wars" board seems to be based entirely on the children’s show, featuring its unique art design and focusing on the adventures of Anakin Skywalker (spoilers ahead) before his fall to Darth Vader and Ashoka, his young padawan.

Like the show, it is somewhat presented as propaganda during a war and features a narrator describing the events like one would hear in a movie theater during World War II.

It really captures the spirit of the source material.

It also features events straight out of the show, such as the return of Darth Maul, and it gives ample opportunity for players to run up the scoreboard.

Of the three, this board seems the easiest, which makes sense, considering young fans of the show are the ones most likely to play it.

Finally, we have the Fett man.

For many, he is just the jet-pack-wearing fool who fell into the Sarlacc during "Return of the Jedi."

For those who read a lot of the books and comics, he is basically space Shaft.

His level in the game incorporates elements of both to create a simultaneously entertaining and frustrating time.

Seemingly based on the planet of Tatooine, players must use their pinball skills to hunt bounties for Jabba, avoid Sarlacc tentacles and make as much cash as possible.

Like the character this board is based on, rarely will players hear any verbal cheering to tell them that they’re doing a good job, but actions definitely speak louder than words in this situation.

This board is also the most difficult of the three, but when you accomplish something huge, it feels great.

"Pinball FX 2" is free, but the "Star Wars" board bundle costs 800 Microsoft points or $10.

While only available on PC and Xbox 360, any fan of Jedis and X-Wings would be doing themselves an injustice by not having this expansion.