Total rating
This machine received 511 approved ratings by our visitors, averaging 8.88 on a scale of 10.
This currently ranks it #2 in the Pinside Ranking.
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There are 25 comments on this pinball machine
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Ratings histogram
This is a histogram of all 510 approved ratings on this machine.
Rating subscores
What are the scores of the four individual rating categories, which form the machine's total rating?
9.03 Game Design
The playfield layout, game rules, gimmicks and overall gameplay
8.88 Artwork
Playfield artwork, Backglass, Cabinet artwork and Dot Matrix animations
8.60 Sound & Music
The game sounds, music, the sound quality and variation
9.01 General aspects
Game lighting, lastability/replayability, theming and general fun rating
Our rating
This is how we, the very knowledgeable Pinside.com staff (wink wink), rate this machine.
Ranking history
The Pinball Top 100 is re-calculated on a weekly basis. This means that we have a new top 100 every week! Here you can see this machine's movements throught the top 100 (the lower the ranking, the better).
Rating history
The Pinball Top 100 is re-calculated on a weekly basis. This means that this machine has a new rating every week! Here you can see this machine's rating over the last couple of months.
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gweempose rated this machine on September 01, 2010 with a score of 9.843 and said:
“What's there to say that hasn't already been said. TZ is a truly phenomenal machine, and it will always hold a special place in my heart as the first game in my collection. I love pretty much everything about TZ. Awesome theme! Great art! Cool sound! Wonderful toys! And let's not forget about the Powerball. What an amazing idea. This is Lawlor at his best. Heck, this is pinball at its best!”
MMuller rated this machine on August 31, 2010 with a score of 9.079 and said:
“Defintley one of the best pins ever made so much to do with some changling shots. To the people that don't like this game never judge a pinball machine until you have at least played it 20 times.”
Outlane-Avoider rated this machine on August 28, 2010 with a score of 9.266 and said:
“This is SUCH a frustrating machine! You need to be spot on with all your shots, otherwise you just end up hitting targets or posts set up just right to send the ball SDTM or careening across into the gaping outlanes. Get your shots right though and you will be rewarded with a game unlike any other... A good game of TZ is so rewarding and enjoyable, and getting LITZ (Lost In The Zone) multiball is the ultimate pay-off.
Being a Widebody pin, and having so many toys and gimmicks makes this machine VERY heavy, so bear this in mind if you plan to locate one upstairs or in a basement!
There are many "mods" available for this machine, but they all seem very expensive, maybe most TZ owners have very deep pockets?
The ceramic "Powerball" that comes out to play at times is much lighter than a normal ball, and therefore more difficult to control.
All in all a great pin, but not one for a beginner as there are so many awkward and difficult shots.
Rated everywhere in the top 3 and deservingly so.”
jcg9998 rated this machine on August 19, 2010 with a score of 9.663 and said:
“This is easily my favorite pinball machine.....there is nothing about this game that I don't like.....I wish all pinball machines had the variety of this game.....since it is a widebody it can fit more stuff but somehow it seems like it has a lot more to do than other widebodies....as a huge Twilight Zone fan, the only thing I might have changed are some of the episodes they used for this machine. One other minor complaint would be the theme song by Golden Earring, I like the song but it gets a little annoying after awhile...However those minor comlaints aside....it is the best!!!”
brettj49 rated this machine on August 17, 2010 with a score of 9.913 and said:
“pat you are the best give us more”
Hawkeyepin rated this machine on August 10, 2010 with a score of 5.424 and said:
“Twilight Zone is Ok. I've pumped enough quarters in to make a sound judgement and I'm not a fanboy. I liked the original series but let's get to the game itself. A crowded wide playfield with an interesting target here and there. I came to the realization that this is a game for the advanced player that's dedicated to installing led's and nova waxing the playfield. The ruleset is confusing and the action is stop and go for the beginner. A kid would walk on...and aging enthusiast would shudder with excitement. There's snap and crackle but no POP on this machine.”
jespo_19 rated this machine on August 10, 2010 with a score of 9.631 and said:
“This machine was in a rink when i used to play hockey. WOW i didn't even want to lace up half the time. this game sucks you right in. deep ruleset that i didn't even understand at the time but appreciate now. the game itself was another big influence (for me) to start loving pinball. i lost a bunch but each time i put in the $ i got just a little farther or figured out just one more mode or shot sequence. always makes you come back for more plus cool toys, i may never own one but boy is it on the bucket list!”
Harley rated this machine on August 08, 2010 with a score of 7.147 and said:
“very slow pinball machine in the begin but when you play it good it come to live and then there is more fun. the sound gets better end you have a beter felling with the pin. but in the begin i don't like it”
TaxiMasta rated this machine on August 06, 2010 with a score of 9.466 and said:
“Not my favorite pin (only because it’s so freaking fancy and I’m not a huge fan of widebodies) but definitely a great one :)”
henchman1 rated this machine on August 06, 2010 with a score of 9.930 and said:
“the best pin i have played. the are just so many things to keep you occupied - magnets, magnet flippers, powerball, 4 flippers, 6 ball multiball etc etc. Only gripe is the sound is very slightly tinny compared to the DCS games. Ignore the Tiltkings comments below - it seems weird he rates batman forever and flintstones as 9.5 but TZ a 5.7? He must be playing a pop-eye with stickers that say twilight zone on the cabinet.”
wonderpuddle rated this machine on August 05, 2010 with a score of 9.761 and said:
“Definitely deserving of its place atop the top 100. One of the best games every built.”
drbond rated this machine on August 05, 2010 with a score of 9.892 and said:
“Pat Lawlor's masterpiece. The game to own if your a serious collector. There is a reason this game is rated #1. The game goes to an "11" if your a fan of the TV show. The entire experience is a fun & epic journey. Translite and PF art are gorgeous. The Rod Serling voice-alike nails it! Memorable quotes abound. "Powerball!" The Golden Earring TZ tune is incredibly catchy. Add the music/sfx from previous Lawlor games awarded during "Time Lock" (BR, ES, FH, TAF, WW), & you will go insane. "Go for the Hill!" Sounds are simply perfect! If TZ had come out in time to support DCS, people would explode from ecstasy. The toys are out of this world! The gumball machine is one thing, but "The Power" is just wicked. Dot animations are spectacular. Very deep ruleset, solid light show, & LITZ wizard mode's timed multiball will blow your mind. An after-market modder's dream game with many mods available. Not a lot of gripes. Fairly complex game for novices & the insta-drain skill shot is ridiculous.”
Bazzman rated this machine on July 30, 2010 with a score of 9.866 and said:
“This game is the best, I cant get a really good score yet but I dont get sick of it either its got heaps if not all to keep you coming back for more”
GreatAmricnPnbl rated this machine on July 29, 2010 with a score of 7.716 and said:
“Great game withing the top 20. Lots going on, Lost in Zone wizard mod is really cool.”
sonarghost rated this machine on July 26, 2010 with a score of 9.288 and said:
“This is THE game for real pinheads in my opinion. This game will challenge you with some of the deepest rulesets out there. I can truly understand those that have given it lower ratings after playing it at a pizza parlor or bowling alley because it can take a while to actually get good at the machine and understand all of rules because some aren't extremely obvious. If you are looking to buy a pin that has extremely high replay value then I highly recommend this machine!”
tiltking rated this machine on July 20, 2010 with a score of 5.974 and said:
“Not trying to offend anyone but this game is a major quarter thief i like a challenge but this game is not in my top ten i actually DONT LIKE it THAT MUCH .It plays like a BAD 80S gottlieb if you ask me hard to get any kind of flow i think most of these ratings are by owners and it is over rated by far I know there are alot of cool toys BUT ITS A DRAIN MONSTER i can name 20 games that are more fun and exciting to play nobody plays this game at the local arcade it just sits there CAUSE ITS A RIPOFF Maybe if I owned one I could get better at it but to me I would not spend more than 1500 dollars on it dont get me wrong I love lots of williams bally games but this just doesnt do it for me and I am a huge tv show fan and i know it has a great rule sheet and more gizmos than any machine before or after BUT ITS A DRAIN MONSTER Quarter Stealing BORING GAME TO PLAY ITS LIKE A SOUP WITH 10 TO MANY SPICES IT RUINS THE RECIPE WATCH THIS GAME WILL JUMP FROM 466 TO 480 RATINGS QUICK CAUSE THE SAME PEOPLE WILL PUMP IT BACK UP AGAIN TO MANY COOKS IN THE KITCHEN FOR ME ON THIS ONE THE SOUND IS BELOW AVERAGE COMPARED TO A WILLIAMS DCS GAMES AS WELL I DONT HATE IT BUT I REALLY DONT LIKE IT MUCH EITHER I DO RESPECT ALOT ABOUT THIS GAME BUT ITS NOT THAT FUN TO ME ITS KINDA LAME SORRY ITS JUST MY OPINION”
maxhead rated this machine on July 19, 2010 with a score of 10.000 and said:
“Ohh, WOW!
Where should i start? This Game Rocks!
Fast/Slow Stop and Go Action from its finest.
I got addicted to it when i first played it on VPinball.
First time at the real Machine i may never forget. Sound, light all is absolutely Fantastic done! Very Deep Ruleset keeps you going for years. Tricky shots and the unique Powerball do make also lots of fun. I just love this Game. It's for me a better Pin then the MM. I like the MM for instant Games but the TZ will keep me busy for hours. Thanks to Pat Lawlor, great Job!”
Roman rated this machine on July 13, 2010 with a score of 9.808 and said:
“Hands down the best pinball design ever. This machine probably isn't that impressive on location, but in someone's house where you can immerse yourself in the very deep ruleset, it's never boring and always filled with challenges.”
Santeh rated this machine on June 27, 2010 with a score of 9.930 and said:
“For my TZ, I have found that it has both outstanding flow and speed. And, quite, when compared to the other pins currently in my collection it has the best speed and flow. Yet, does TZ also have start and stop play? Yes, but I feel it compliments the times of great flow. And, further, with good shot placement I find that the speed/flow can almost be too much (a good thing).
In regards to quality I also feel that TZ really stands out. This could be both that I was fortunate on the particular unit I got but also that it is shopped and waxed. With these features, my TZ feels VERY smooth. This is especially true with regard to the pop bumpers as they are both smooth and very active! It is fantastic!
Nevertheless, in regards to the pop bumpers what others have said about the left side drain is indeed correct as TZ can be unforgiving. This, in my opinion, is the one aspect that is a let down in regards to TZs design. Yet being fortunate enough to own a TZ helps to alleviate this issue.”
pbapro rated this machine on June 02, 2010 with a score of 9.545 and said:
“This is truly an amazing game. It is possibly one of the deepest games I have ever played. The ceramic pinball used for the powerball is very cool and the mini playfiled on the left side is cool for the button masher crowd as well. The game balances well between the beginners just wanting to keep the ball in play and veterans knowing where to score big points. The skill shot is also geared toward the precise player which I like.”
thecaptain rated this machine on May 27, 2010 with a score of 9.755 and said:
“This is the best machine ever made. Perfect for the home. So much to keep you going. I have no problems with the machine at all. If you were to have only one this is it.”
robin rated this machine on May 25, 2010 with a score of 8.488 and said:
“I have always been amazed that designer Pat Lawlor managed to put so much into one machine. And best of all: it's all so well designed and well thought out that this game hardly ever breaks. The only bad thing I can think of is the clock assembly, which melts under the heat of overrated lightbulbs. Other than that, the game has served me without any failures whatsoever, for 10 years now - something that can't be said for all pinball machines. As for the fun rating: it doesn't get much better than this. A great game.”
sleepygtr rated this machine on May 24, 2010 with a score of 9.560 and said:
“the sheer number of skill shots and the random variation and order of those shots makes this game clearly the best of all time for the pinball purist and for players that want their skill tested every time - so many things to do so many things to see... Extremely deep and shares what all great modern pins need -
the ultimate carrot - Lost in the zone - hard to get to and amazing when it
happens!”
ejones307 rated this machine on May 22, 2010 with a score of 8.415 and said:
“Some of the best toys of any machine. Machine looks and sounds awesome, unfortianatly, then you play it and it doesn't hold up to others like Midevil Madness, Scared Stiff or Monster Bash. To be fair, it was well ahead of it's time, and the better machines got to learn from it.
I'm not a big fan of the layout otherwise though. The shots seem clunky boring, with no real flow to them at all.”
tacojohn rated this machine on May 12, 2010 with a score of 9.118 and said:
“Very fun and want to play lots. However I think the tricks take away from the flow of the game”