Weekend Gamer: How to get Zen Studios games on AtGames Pinball Micro
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■ Zen StudiosZen Studios is a Hungarian video game developer and publisher of interactive entertainment software with headquarters in Budapest, Hungary and offices in the United States. It is known for its game franchises, Pinball FX and Zen Pinball, as well as CastleStorm, a tower defense hybrid which received the Apple Store’s Editor’s Choice award.
■ AtGamesAtGames Cloud Holdings Inc. is an American video game and console manufacturer, known for their Legends Ultimate Arcade and creating the connected arcade. Since 2011, they have produced and marketed the Atari-licensed dedicated home video game console series Atari Flashback under license from Atari. Additionally, AtGames has produced ColecoVision and Intellivision Flashback consoles, and has worked with Sega on multiple different handhelds and retro consoles.
With the AtGames lawsuit against Zen Studios, I’ve decided to re-invest in getting Zen Studios to run on my little AtGames Pinball Micro that I purchased in November 2025.
There are two reasons why Zen Studios’ pinball games won’t run on the Pinball Micro: (1) the hardware cannot process Zen Studios (which uses Real Engine), and (2) Zen Studios announced that they won’t be working with AtGames (hence that lawsuit). However, using AtGames’ built-in OTG (On-The-Go) mode – this will allow you to bring your own computer and connect directly to the Pinball device. I’ve praised this feature, mostly for future-proofing reasons… and I did dabble into it briefly when I first got the pinball machine.
Now that for sure we are not getting Zen on AtGames devices, I really got serious about OTG. It’s not as easy as you’d think – below is a step-by-step guide on how to connect a Legion Go or Steam Deck or ROG Ally to the Pinball Micro.
Step 1: Hardware Connection
Since most handhelds have limited ports, you’ll need a docking station to output HDMI to the Pinball Micro. You’ll also need a USB-A to USA-A cable to physically control the Pinball Micro buttons. Alternatively, you can try pairing the device in Bluetooth, but I’ve never gotten Bluetooth pairing to work. Seriously, the Bluetooth doesn’t work. I tried and connect but it keeps disconnecting. Many have complained about it, just look online.
Since most handhelds have limited ports, you’ll need a docking station to output HDMI to the Pinball Micro. You’ll also need a USB-A to USA-A cable to physically control the Pinball Micro buttons. Alternatively, you can try pairing the device in Bluetooth, but I’ve never gotten Bluetooth pairing to work. Seriously, the Bluetooth doesn’t work. I tried and connect but it keeps disconnecting. Many have complained about it, just look online.
Step 2: Display
This is the trickiest part: getting the display right. On Windows, go ahead and set it to mirror your screen. You’ll want to set the pinball to either rotate 90 or -90 degrees. On Zen’s Pinball FX or Pinball Classics, set the cabinet screen to rotate 90 or 270 in WINDOW Borderless. For whatever reasons, it does not work if you set it full screen. Also, since the Pinball Micro’s display is 1080p, you’ll need to change the resolution to 1920×1080, if it doesn’t do it by default.
This is the trickiest part: getting the display right. On Windows, go ahead and set it to mirror your screen. You’ll want to set the pinball to either rotate 90 or -90 degrees. On Zen’s Pinball FX or Pinball Classics, set the cabinet screen to rotate 90 or 270 in WINDOW Borderless. For whatever reasons, it does not work if you set it full screen. Also, since the Pinball Micro’s display is 1080p, you’ll need to change the resolution to 1920×1080, if it doesn’t do it by default.
Step 3: Xinput
After you’ve connected the USB-A to USB-A cable, Steam should be able to see the HID Controller in your settings. The first time you go in there, you need to “begin setup” and assign the buttons. Do NOT use the Plunger button as Button A, it just won’t work. Use the Play Button as A. I assigned the “back” button as Button B. As for X and Y, I assigned it the two nudge buttons (since I never use nudge and I’m assuming won’t work via OTG anyway). Assign D-Pad (my D-Pad down button SUCKED and only worked half the time). Shoulder Button Left assign it to left flipper, and shoulder R assign it to the right flipper. The rest of the button assignments you can skip by hitting “A” or the “Play” button since that’s what we assigned it. If you messed up, like I did the first time I did it, you can reset it under the AtGames/HID USB connection (you just have to look for the reset option).
After you’ve connected the USB-A to USB-A cable, Steam should be able to see the HID Controller in your settings. The first time you go in there, you need to “begin setup” and assign the buttons. Do NOT use the Plunger button as Button A, it just won’t work. Use the Play Button as A. I assigned the “back” button as Button B. As for X and Y, I assigned it the two nudge buttons (since I never use nudge and I’m assuming won’t work via OTG anyway). Assign D-Pad (my D-Pad down button SUCKED and only worked half the time). Shoulder Button Left assign it to left flipper, and shoulder R assign it to the right flipper. The rest of the button assignments you can skip by hitting “A” or the “Play” button since that’s what we assigned it. If you messed up, like I did the first time I did it, you can reset it under the AtGames/HID USB connection (you just have to look for the reset option).
Step 4: Backglass Switchboard
This step is optional. If you want to make use of the Backglass, you’ll need to install a Switchboard. AtGames sells these as an optional upgrade, but I personally think it is too expensive at $100 for what it is. I personally don’t really pay attention to the backglass – which is there to display your current score. If you want to properly display and simulate pinball, you’ll want the switchboard… and who knows, maybe one day I’ll bite the bullet and buy the switchboard, along with legs.
This step is optional. If you want to make use of the Backglass, you’ll need to install a Switchboard. AtGames sells these as an optional upgrade, but I personally think it is too expensive at $100 for what it is. I personally don’t really pay attention to the backglass – which is there to display your current score. If you want to properly display and simulate pinball, you’ll want the switchboard… and who knows, maybe one day I’ll bite the bullet and buy the switchboard, along with legs.
Now that I’ve got Zen Studios to run on AtGames, I can play any Zen Studios tables that I own right on the AtGames Pinball Micro! It’s really a great way to play Marvel’s Infinity Gauntlet and the Bethesda’s tables (including Fallout and Skyrim). I had such a blast re-experiencing these games on a bigger display with physical buttons. It is so much fun!
Also note: you can play other vertical games, like Galaga, but I suggest plugging in a gamepad or joystick for better control.
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Yours,
Weekend Gamer
vu@weheartmusic.com
vu@weheartmusic.com
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