The game includes several new features, such as local multiplayer and the ability to tweak table settings.

As with a traditional pinball machine, the player fires a steel ball onto the playfield using a plunger.

[5] Multiplayer games are won by being the first to achieve the set high score, which can be adjusted from 10 to 100 million points.

Players can choose to download an expansion pack dubbed Pinball FX 2 Core which unlocks four tables: BioLab,[6] Pasha,[7] Rome,[8] and Secrets of the Deep.

[14] From October 26 to November 2, 2011, the full version of the Paranormal table was given away for free as a gift to the game's fans.

Pinball FX 2's existence was first leaked to the public via the Australian Classification Board website on August 11, 2010.

[24] Zen Studios Managing Director Zsolt Kigyossy detailed the reasons for focusing primarily on pinball games.

"We have guys in the studio who have spent countless hours and pockets full of money at arcades playing pinball.

[25] Kigyossy further stated the team plans to "keep the tables coming, support our games long term, and give fans a great selection to choose from.

"It took a little longer than expected, but we have designed a game that unifies the online community, and takes all the social features to the next level.

"[21] The game was made available free of charge and gives players the ability to try any table for a limited time.

[27] It was released on the new OS for download from the Windows Store on October 27, 2012, although the Mars table was provided for free instead.

[29] Later that month, however, Zen Studios announced a delay of the release of Pinball FX 2 into August 2014, but added the delay was necessary in order to update the game to permit players to transfer their tables from Xbox 360 to Xbox One at no additional charge.

[32] Pinball FX2 VR, a version of the game that supports virtual reality headset the Oculus Rift, was released on March 28, 2016.

"[44] Nick Chester of Destructoid added "Zen [Studios] already has pinball on consoles nailed.

"[7] Critics praised the game's ability to play updated versions of the tables previously available for Pinball FX.

Andrew Reiner of Game Informer expressed satisfaction with the functionality, indicating that the new social scoring mechanics provided incentive to play the tables again in the new engine.

TeamXbox's Richard Basset praised the addition of split-screen multiplayer, as did GameSpot's Justin Calvert.

[38] Kristan Reed of Eurogamer noted the new ability to adjust settings on the tables, allowing for enthusiasts to tweak the game to their liking.