It was the first game developed by Digital Extremes, though founder James Schmalz had also previously created Solar Winds, Silverball and Epic Pinball in 1993.

[2] Extreme Pinball received generally negative reviews.

Reviewing the PlayStation version, Rich Leadbetter of Maximum commented that "the tables on offer in Extreme Pinball are just too dull.

Take a look at the latest pinball tables and you see very flashy, licensed affairs with lashings of special effects and sampled sounds... all of which you won't find in Extreme Pinball".

[4] A brief review in GamePro stated "Neither as fast nor as polished as Last Gladiators for the Saturn, Extreme Pinball is strangely reminiscent of Ruiner Pinball for the Jaguar or the old Time Cruise for the TurboGrafx-16.