Williams
Star Wars Episode I Pinside Rating
This game received 237 approved Pinsider ratings and currently rates 7.209 /10
Star Wars Episode I
Score breakdown
Score breakdown in the 4 main categories:
Game Design: 6.74
Artwork: 7.833
Sounds/Music: 7.536
Other Aspects: 6.776
Pinside staff rating
This is how we, the very knowledgeable (wink wink) Pinside.com staff & moderators rate this game. 9 of us have rated this game.
Found 137 ratings (with comment) on this game
There are 137 ratings (that include a comment) on this game.
Currently showing results page 1 of 6.
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Warren, PA
7.780/10
1 year ago
Badjeros, ON
It needs to be kept in mind, that the business model behind the development of this game was to lure people away from video machines and other electronic entertainment that had been bashing pinball for years. It was designed to be an easy game to learn and an approachable machine, in comparison to the complexity and depth of previous titles, that while great to the experienced player, did not command repeat plays and operator profit on location.
In a home line-up, it's cool because it is different, holds nostalgia being the last WMS out the door, and is pretty easy to enjoy when guests or kids come over to play. On the flip side, not the deepest and most challenging for experienced players and collectors. I keep mine mainly for the approachable nature of the game, which my wife, guests and kids enjoy and gravitate to.
In a home line-up, it's cool because it is different, holds nostalgia being the last WMS out the door, and is pretty easy to enjoy when guests or kids come over to play. On the flip side, not the deepest and most challenging for experienced players and collectors. I keep mine mainly for the approachable nature of the game, which my wife, guests and kids enjoy and gravitate to.
6.490/10
1 year ago
Strange looking bit cool pin…a true novelty and interesting to play. The integration of hologram images is really cool and innovative. The fun factor tends to wear off quickly with a repetitive quality to the rule set. Feels grindy after several plays.
7.551/10
1 year ago
Kongsberg
This machine is a bit weird looking. (Williams 2000). The graphics on the cabinet is individual to each side and is very nice. I think the playfield is a bit dark. The monitor is reflected in the playfield glass. This works well, but the missions are a bit repetitive. Shoot the center to start the mission.... shoot the center or to the sides of the center during the mission. I feel that the game could have been so much more. Maybe the Williams team were huge fans of the original Star Wars movies and refused to make the game great for the new Episode 1???
9.200/10
1 year ago
Just picked this pin up! In my opinion, it highlights all the best of the film and the potential it had. The movie gets a lot of hate, some warranted, some not so much, but it had a lot going for it - fantastic characters (Darth Maul, Quin Gon, Obi Wan, Padme), incredible battles (lightsaber duels, droid fights, space battles), and amazing environments and scenes (podracing, naboo, underwater, etc).
The pin makes great use of these and the rest of source material, and integrates the theme really well. It has a dozen or so mini modes to play, and they take advantage of a lot of the scenes pretty well. There's a decent amount of variety in them, and the extra buttons to shoot lasers add a lot to the game.
I think Pinball 2k was the future of pinball, and this pin definitely showcases what could have been. It's counterpart, Revenge From Mars, hasn't aged well, imho. Seems a little clunky, and definitely suffers from 1999 style. I only note that to say that Episode 1 doesn't have that same feel. I think it's aged really well, and feels great (although I do wish the video was 1080p).
Criminally underrated pin imho. Won't leave my collection any time soon.
The pin makes great use of these and the rest of source material, and integrates the theme really well. It has a dozen or so mini modes to play, and they take advantage of a lot of the scenes pretty well. There's a decent amount of variety in them, and the extra buttons to shoot lasers add a lot to the game.
I think Pinball 2k was the future of pinball, and this pin definitely showcases what could have been. It's counterpart, Revenge From Mars, hasn't aged well, imho. Seems a little clunky, and definitely suffers from 1999 style. I only note that to say that Episode 1 doesn't have that same feel. I think it's aged really well, and feels great (although I do wish the video was 1080p).
Criminally underrated pin imho. Won't leave my collection any time soon.
4.738/10
1 year ago
London
Played once at The Pinball Office in the UK.
Honestly, this is comedically awful. It’s got about one shot and WAY TOO MANY modes involving the execrable Jar Jar Binks. One mode involving Jar Jar Binks would be enough and a mode about shooting Jar Jar in the foot [sic] was more than enough. One play was plenty.
If you want a video/pinball combo game, Revenge from Mars is way better.
In summary: Absolutely appalling.
Honestly, this is comedically awful. It’s got about one shot and WAY TOO MANY modes involving the execrable Jar Jar Binks. One mode involving Jar Jar Binks would be enough and a mode about shooting Jar Jar in the foot [sic] was more than enough. One play was plenty.
If you want a video/pinball combo game, Revenge from Mars is way better.
In summary: Absolutely appalling.
7.936/10
2 years ago
Disclaimer: I really liked Pinball2000 back in the day and still do.
Also, I purchased this machine for a public location and that mind set will be reflected in my rating.
A recent addition to my arcade.
At times, a rather great game.
It doesn't take long to learn, but it also doesn't teach you important things.... Did you know you have another ball waiting to be shot during lightsaber battles? No, well, it's not going to mention it. Once you figure it out yourself, it's all good.
What do lasers do? Did you notice the little icon that says flipper button/action button? No? Well, it's the only thing on the instruction card. Yes? Well... it doesn't tell you what an action button does.
Once you learn to play, it's pretty alright.
The video modes vary somewhat (no explanations, of course)
Overall, it's a nice mid-tier pinball that should be fun to play occasionally.
If you don't like Pinball 2000.... well... there's only 2 of them release, so it's easy to pick other machines to play.
I think this uses Pinball2000 pretty well.
Note: I may have seen Episode 1 once, many years ago. It holds no special meaning to me. It's possible I enjoy this game because I *do not* have any special feeling for the movie or its impact on the franchise.
Also, I purchased this machine for a public location and that mind set will be reflected in my rating.
A recent addition to my arcade.
At times, a rather great game.
It doesn't take long to learn, but it also doesn't teach you important things.... Did you know you have another ball waiting to be shot during lightsaber battles? No, well, it's not going to mention it. Once you figure it out yourself, it's all good.
What do lasers do? Did you notice the little icon that says flipper button/action button? No? Well, it's the only thing on the instruction card. Yes? Well... it doesn't tell you what an action button does.
Once you learn to play, it's pretty alright.
The video modes vary somewhat (no explanations, of course)
Overall, it's a nice mid-tier pinball that should be fun to play occasionally.
If you don't like Pinball 2000.... well... there's only 2 of them release, so it's easy to pick other machines to play.
I think this uses Pinball2000 pretty well.
Note: I may have seen Episode 1 once, many years ago. It holds no special meaning to me. It's possible I enjoy this game because I *do not* have any special feeling for the movie or its impact on the franchise.
8.901/10
2 years ago
Hitting the top left and right ramps over and over is addicting. Flippers play very smooth. Display mirrored on playfield is not a gimmick and is impressive given the date of release. This game isn't discussed enough. The example I played seemed to have an underlit playfield.
Vienna
7.664/10
3 years ago
Not as fun as I would have hoped. It is repetitive, and the worst of the state wars pins in my opinion. Go for the DE version instead.
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