Star Gazer

Pinside rating

This game received 65 approved Pinsider ratings and currently rates 7.743 /10

7.743

Top 100 ranking

This game ranks #134 in the Pinside Pinball Top 100.



Score breakdown

Score breakdown in the 4 main categories:

Game Design: 7.76

Artwork: 8.156

Sounds/Music: 6.258

Other Aspects: 7.929


Pinside staff rating

This is how we, the very knowledgeable (wink wink) Pinside.com staff & moderators rate this game. 3 of us have rated this game.

7.584

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Found 24 ratings (with comment) on this game

There are 24 ratings (that include a comment) on this game.
Currently showing results page 1 of 1.

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7.235/10
10 months ago
Such a unique layout with the slings. Pretty fast playing game being a more open layout for spinner rips. Fun rules with the ladder tied to the drop targets and spinners.
8.943/10
1 year ago
Classic Stern made some of the best games in the late 70s and early 80s. Star Gazer is the best looking of the bunch and I think the most fun. All Classic Sterns are unique but Star Gazer took it to the next level. The sounds are very futuristic and there is lots to shoot at (9 drops, 3 spinners, and 12 zodiac targets). Play one if you can find this rare game. You won’t be disappointed.
6.864/10
1 year ago
UPDATE: Played multiple times at PBR getting low scores. This pin feels very flawed. The multiple, appealing-looking drop targets don’t actually do very much. How you get a high score is ripping the lit spinner. However, the only way to light the spinner is the rollover targets on the flipper. Thus, the safest thing to do is to micro-flip the flipper, triggering the rollover, and only then shooting a spinner.

In short, a game that *should be* played largely by bouncing the ball at the flipper to get a top score. I have no big enough eye roll for this. It does look nice though.

****

Played in a Pinfest Classics tournament (and got a high score).

A Stern with three spinners, and the bonus alternating between them, and three drop targets to complete. The shots are satisfying, especially the alternating spinners, but it does feel very much in the school of most early Sterns - and not sufficiently exceptional to deserve the praise (and pre-hype of this pin) due to its rarity.
7.891/10
1 year ago
Stern Electronics (not current Stern) usually receive meh reviews across the board from the average modern pinball fan.
Stargazer is the exception.
Why?
$$$$rarity$$$$
Instead of heaping big (fake) praise on it because of its low production run, which makes it worth a lot of money, pretend like it had a run of 7,000 to 10,000 copies.
Would anyone care then?
Nope.
So let’s do an honest review.
I am one of “those” Chicago Coin - Stern Electronics fans, and we are considered to be a bit weird.
Just looking at the solid state machines by Stern, they had a string of great games one after the next. Starting with the amazing “Pinball” and ending with the unbelievable “Orbitor 1”, every machine they made is a hidden gem.
Star Gazer came off the heels of the best seller hit “Flight 2000”, which may have contributed to its low production. Start with the obvious draw: you have a hot chick and a zodiac theme. You are instantly drawn to it. If you love spinners, this is one of the best. Count the drop targets… really?! What’s going on with that outlane? Now you have no choice, you must put in a quarter.
As soon as the pop bumper plays it’s sucker shot on you a few times, that’s when you realize you just spent your entire allowance playing this game, and you have no money left for comics and candy.
That’s the Star Gazer experience.
Personally, I love this game, but I love all Stern machines pretty much equally. It’s far from being the bestest game of the era, but look at the era and just try to choose the best game! It was the solid state golden age.
There’s not an alternative to Star Gazer, most Stern machines were very unique, but it’s worth a gander if you have a pocket full of quarters and a free afternoon.
10.000/10
3 years ago
I’ve waited many years for this title and finally it’s in my collection. What a fun classic Stern to play. Three spinners rip. The shots are all very satisfying. Winding up the star wheel is amazing. It has the best sound effects of any early Stern. The backglass and art are phenomenal. The half round ball return by the flippers is very unique. I can see why this is considered the grail of early pins. I highly suggest you seek one out and add it to you’re collection. Definitely worth the wait.... and price.
7.040/10
3 years ago
This is a classic game with tons of appeal. The artwork is fantastic. I think it is priced a bit high, but hey...to each their own. Play it if you get a chance.
6.611/10
3 years ago
This is a very visually appealing game for sure, but it is just so basic it couldn't hold my attention.
6.355/10
3 years ago
It's a looker for sure. Some average shots. Good for a few plays if you can find it. About it..
10.000/10
4 years ago
Extremely rare with great art work and theme. Very fast and fun game play.
8.066/10
5 years ago
Stargazer is often coveted as one of the rarer Sterns, and the graceful flow to this game makes it easy to see why enthusiasts clamor for a copy of this title.

The stand-out to this game are its spinners. The three spinners are a treat to hit, all positioned for a satisfying shot, especially when well-maintained. Setting a high value on the center spinner via the drop targets or lighting and ripping either side spinner is the primary joy one will get from this game. The flow of the game continues down by the flippers, where the ball seamlessly rounding the curves behind each flipper adds a sense of speed and keeps the rhythm of the game going steady.

The one thing about this game that could be better utilized, in my opinion, is the zodiac targets. Twelve stand-up targets are spread throughout the playfield, each bearing the symbol of a zodiac constellation in keeping with the game's theme. Completing a round of these targets, however, does not generate any major award or massively progress gameplay, and the targets can be completely forgotten in favor of the aforementioned spinners.

Overall, this game is wonderful and fun.
7.924/10
5 years ago
I like drop targets and spinners. . . so of course this game is on the wish list. Lack of in-lanes was an interesting feature that took a play or two to get used to but I like the attempt to mix things up a bit. Love the classic Stern sounds and artwork -- would love to have one of these in my collection.
6.287/10
6 years ago
Mediocre game. Enjoyable on location.
7.674/10
6 years ago
Stargazer is definitely a cool game that should have had more made. Unfortunately, the rarity makes this title a lot higher on the list than it probably should be though.

GOOD:
-a great art package from a company known to make great art packages (Stern 1.0 that is)!
-FULL of drop targets and spinners!
-very cool alternative to having in-lanes and something I'd love to see more of in a future game

CONS:
-definitely not the best Stern 1.0 game out there, but commands a price like it is. Sorry guys, but IMO games like Nine Ball, Catacomb, and maybe even Big Game beat this out
-most of those that are left are BEAT, or even worse IMO, have been restored with a thickly clearcoated playfield. The version I played had a new playfield and while I wholeheartedly applaud the efforts of restoring (especially when there is no other option), it just does not play the same. As someone who has played a lot of older Sterns, I'm just not a fan of thick clearcoats on these games (though they do look prettier) as the gameplay changes

A very good game with lots to shoot at. Not great, but really good.
7.839/10
7 years ago
Probably the top of the heap of the old Sterns. Great design, great game strategy, great spinner action, great art. The game has some good rules, but it isn't one of those more "sophisticated" Stern games like Catacomb or Big Game, where the rules are too esoteric for the casual player. It's too bad this game was produced in so few numbers. It's a gem.
7.492/10
8 years ago
What a looker with a repro cleared PF.
Upper playfield is a bit "meh"
Lower playifeld is solid and very fun.
Three sets of sweepable drops
Three spinners
Evil pops
Interesting approach to inlanes...
-mof
7.886/10
9 years ago
Love the artwork and have enjoyed the few times I've played the game. Wish I had more game time on this. Will update the ratings when I get my machine operational.
8.758/10
9 years ago
Awesome game!
8.690/10
9 years ago
Had the chance to play not one but TWO restored examples of this game at TPF 2014 in the tournament area. Just a fantastic game when it's dialed in and cleared. Fast, fast, fast. The game does a great job of making sure you want to pick off the last drop target on every bank by having 3 banks and tying them to multipliers. Also, it makes sure you don't keep shooting the same spinner on the right side by having the rollovers by the flippers potentially light the opposite spinner for 10x value.
8.449/10
10 years ago
Classic Stern goodness. Drops and spinners work well in the rules. Fast and fun. Interesting flipper area design takes getting used to but nice to see different designs. One of my top three classic Sterns. Get one if you can find one.
7.687/10
11 years ago
Star Gazer is a table that has some interesting design features and a fantastic BG.

The Pros:
Mike Polacki, a truly creative unknown in the pinball industry. Doomed to obscurity with low production runs and well... working for Stern. Mike made this game, Iron Maiden and a few others. A simple and open layout belies the complexity and shots that this table has. Three spinners are always a plus. The rollovers by the flippers offer play options and rules not seen in any other table. Dual scoring target by the upper drop targets switches score priority between drops and spinners! The slingshot/lack of inlanes and outlanes makes for a different experience by the flippers.

The Cons:
The upper pop bumper better be singing or all those targets will never get hit. Mechs must be in tip-top order. With a PF this wide open, this game has to be fast. Rollovers on the PF would have been a good addition to this pf.

The Takeaway:
A brilliant BG by an unknown artist. This game would be "Christensen" worthy of a 6 if the PF weren't so flat as compared to the rest of the art package. That and the thigh tentacles... Even the cabinet looks amazing and it only uses 2 colors. When this game is waxed and tuned the ball flies and the shots require your complete attention. One of Stern's best.
8.868/10
11 years ago
The best classic Stern in my opinion. If you like shooting spinners you'll love this game. The curved scoop at the flippers also makes for a very different feel—in a good way. Just a ton of fun.
8.047/10
13 years ago
This is a really nice single ball game. The game play is challenging, good rules. The sounds are also nice as although simple they add urgency to the game at times. The lack of in lanes and curved bits above the flipper make it relatively unique. Art is stunning!
9.314/10
14 years ago
Very addictive game, nice sounds and terrific gameplay.
Very underestimated pinball machine.
Try to play one and you know what i mean!
There are 24 ratings (that include a comment) on this game. Currently showing results page 1 of 1.

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