Bally

Champion Pub

Pinside Rating

This game received 414 approved Pinsider ratings and currently rates 7.946 _/10

7.946

Top 100 ranking

This game ranks #95 in the Pinside Pinball Top 100.

Score breakdown

Score breakdown in the 4 main categories:

Game Design: 7.998

Artwork: 7.934

Sounds/Music: 7.512

Other Aspects: 7.935

Pinside staff rating

This is how we, the very knowledgeable (wink wink) Pinside.com staff & moderators rate this game. 8 of us have rated this game.

8.173

Your Rating?

You need to be logged in before you can rate pinball machines. No account yet? Registering only takes a sec!

Found 200 ratings (with comment) on this game

There are 200 ratings (that include a comment) on this game.
Currently showing results page 4 of 8.

List options

Ratings sort order

Type of ratings to show in list

Owner status of review

Exclude flagged ratings

Keyword or username search

7.880/10

6 years ago

MIK

Micky

Mad Mickys

7y 168K 3,064 42

Good fun game that has a few different toys and things going on as you play through the game.
It does get a bit repetitive just attacking the bag/fighter to progress though.

7.996/10

7 years ago

TF

tonyf1965

Pinside+ Frequent

Peoria, IL

12y 81,800 940 13 23

Finally got to play a nice example of this game. Would like to spend more time with this game.
Seems pretty good. Seems like alot going on.

tonyf1965 edited previous rating on April 17, 2023.
tonyf1965 has this game on the wishlist.

9.300/10

7 years ago

GIL

Time4akshun

Pinside member

Morris Plains, NJ

8y 27,150 61 13 10

New owner. Very happy with this machine. Great execution, call outs, toys, flow. Excellent build quality from Bally.

Time4akshun has owned this game in the past.

8.212/10

7 years ago

NOB

Nobrain

Pinside member

11y 23,900 40 1 21

You need to punch not to think should be the perfect pinball :)

Nobrain has owned this game in the past.

9.520/10

7 years ago

???

amaas

Pinside member

Zwolle

20y 22,250 3 13

Top machine. Nelwly added to my collection.

8.712/10

7 years ago

CAT

Tazpinball

Pinside member

10y 20,750 18 9

Have owned this machine for 10 years once you activate the skipping rope you will be hooked

Tazpinball currently owns this game.

7.698/10

7 years ago

JPS

Jsampel

Pinside member

Overland Park, KS

8y 55,550 98 1 32

It may not be a traditional pinball game but there is no denying that it's a lot of fun...although I haven't played it enough to say whether it gets old or not. It's definitely original! I like how they incorporated the ramps to deliver head shots.

Jsampel has this game on the wishlist.

7.935/10

7 years ago

PHI

dirkhermans

Pinside member

Puurs

10y 24,050 66 8 20

I like the toys on the playfield, not comparabel with other pins. This is just something else, not the fastest flow but it has really nice toys. I like this pin a lot. Not the best pinball but very original game play.

7.734/10

7 years ago

SAP

seshpilot

Pinside member

11y 112K 2,530 169 3

Champion Pub: this is a tough game to review. While it's not a bad game, it's not a great game either. So much to do on it, but so little that's actually fun. Who wants to play jump rope in pinball?!

Not my most favorite pin, but definitely play it every time I see it at a friend's. I could take it or leave it, but at the price it currently fetches, I'm leaving it.

10.000/10

7 years ago

JRS

jaime

Pinside+ Frequent

Tacoma, WA

10y 44,650 48 31 10 1

I will own this machine untill.I die

jaime has owned this game in the past.

9.800/10

7 years ago

JW

Sticky

Inactive member

Ladera Ranch, CA

16y 60,900 661 3 9

This game is absolutely spectacular. There is nothing else like it.

If you read through the ratings people will say it will get boring or that it is easy but it makes me wonder if they actually played the real thing or just played it on Pinball Arcade. I was operating under a similar line of thinking until I played the real thing.

Amazing. The toys aren't gimmicks but actually vital to the experience. Seeing the boxer turn around for the first time to fight is an eye opening experience. It makes you wonder where pinball would be today if WMS didn't stop producing machines after this one.

The game is not easy. I have been playing it over and over and find it a challenge and I'm not someone new to pinball. I'm not a wizard or anything but I play quite a bit. It has plenty of modes to challenge anyone. Like anyone here has actually completed the Ultimate Challenge.

There are complaints about scoring regarding betting points later in the game. I can't even get to this point and neither can anyone else that has played my machine so what's the big deal? Plus, shouldn't you be rewarded with big points for making it that far?

The point ultimately being not only is there plenty of depth and challenge but it's FUN! This is the definition of a fun table. Casual observers want to play after seeing it in action. My entire family is hooked. This is the type of pin to get anyone to love pinball. It's just got that kind of wow factor and appeal. I can not think of any other game that elicits such a joyous reaction so quickly.

Once you factor in the rarity, the sound, the fun factor, the humor, the playfield, the art, the toys, and how easy it is to pick up yet how much depth there is Champion Pub is unrivaled. It is just so innovative and fun I wish the designers were able to keep things going.

It's never leaving my collection. If you can even find one, scoop it up before someone else jumps on it. It's brilliant.

Sticky currently owns this game.

7.165/10

7 years ago

DDW

sohchx

Pinside member

9y 87,050 2,259 76

I got allot of drains SDTM because of the punching bag. Cool game though, but not one that I would buy or own.

9.100/10

7 years ago

ALX

allicks

Pinside member

Calgary, AB

9y 47,850 48 28 32

Artwork is beautiful and timeless. Great toys and lots to shoot for. Unique ramps add the gem of this game. A real beauty.

allicks has owned this game in the past.

7.164/10

8 years ago

AGB

Ramtuathal

Pinside member

Louisville, KY

8y 63,650 123 1 148

Champion Pub has some good concept work behind it, and it has some really neat toys and features. The jump rope, the speed bag, and the up post between the flippers (a nice homage to the EMs like Honey, etc. that employed this mech). I've found that Champion Pub can get a little repetitive after playing for awhile, but it has that "it's a kind of boring until it isn't" feel to it. When a fight starts or when the toys are activated, the game gets pretty exciting. It doesn't quite call me to it like the Sirens, but it is a fun once-in-a-while game. The vid mode with the spittoons is somewhat off the mark (but still thematically appropriate, I guess) and the angled short ramps can be more of a hindrance than an asset during most normal game play.

It's not high on my list, but I'd let it eat up some square footage if I got a decent price on it. Play it in the wild if you see it - it's worth checking out.

Ramtuathal edited previous rating on June 11, 2016.

9.240/10

8 years ago

AMK

amkoepfer

Pinside member

Toledo, OH

9y 162K 4,923 23 51

One of the best games i have played. The amount of toys and things to do on this game makes it a ton of fun. Artwork is good all around, great theme, and good shots

amkoepfer has this game on the wishlist.

10.000/10

8 years ago

PAL

pinballpaully

Pinside member

Alexandria, VA

11y 49,400 102 4 23 1

This game is unique and awesome. It's always a challenge and the ability to become a stronger fighter is a super cool feature!

7.656/10

8 years ago

JAM

jroakland

Pinside member

Oakland, CA

13y 60,050 106 7 111

the toys are diffrent,pinching bag,jump rope and fight the boxer,great boxing theme,not the best flow but fun to play i dnt have over 30 plays on one but found that i do enjoy orher games more ,it is fun to beat up the boxer and i wish i could find one and play it more,the old lady liked it so i wanna say thumbs up,would i buy one probly not but wont pass up a chance to play one...nice game

5.712/10

8 years ago

GPS

onetaste

Pinside member

Adelaide Hills

10y 63,650 142 23 114

Pretty ordinary game that tires quickly. Very innovative toys and cool theme.

7.772/10

8 years ago

ROB

aerobert

Inactive member

8y 57,800 489 2 57

This game seems underrated by many, but I love the theme and gameplay. Really fun! Not very deep otherwise, all focus is on fighting different brawlers from around the world. Could've expanded it a little more maybe because its kind of "narrow"

aerobert edited previous rating on February 01, 2017.

8.055/10

8 years ago

TBK

xTheBlackKnightx

Pinside member

8y 128K 4,097 137

This is what I call the "overloaded playfield toy" pinball machine.
Jump rope, heavy bag, punching bag, boxer.

The playfield is VERY CLAUSTROPHOBIC.
Gameplay is very straightforward with "bash the boxer", but does have some strategy with scoring.
The use of an actual backglass (not the translite remake) makes the game unique.
Getting through all the boxers and "building up up your training" can make for some long games, especially with the video mode and other "game flow interruptions".

Low production for a reason, it tanked due to its release period at the end of the WMS/BLY final "second golden age" era. It ended with a slight overstock due to cost point...

Sound is excellent, music is repetitive.

Best suited for a LARGE collection of machines.
Hard to find NOS parts for everything.

VERY HEAVY machine, and needs tender loving care to keep running properly and be "dialed in".
Definitely not a pinball machine that lends itself to every type of player.

"10/10"? You have to be $#%@ing joking...

7.852/10

8 years ago

JMB

jmb

Inactive member

Pittsburgh, PA

8y 12,000 4 1 6

I really enjoy this game. I think the layout is decent and the toys are very clever. The shots do get a little boring as they mostly lead to toys or mini-games, but it is still great. Given the layout and features, it's not really a standard pinball machine. Like somebody else said, it's kind of more along the lines of an arcade machine than actual pinball machine.

I wouldn't want to own this as my only pin, as it does lose it's excitement after awhile, but it would be a great addition to a larger collection.

7.117/10

8 years ago

CDF

Collin

Pinside member

Columbus, OH

11y 116K 5,272 29 82 1

Pros:
-Probably the coolest toys in pinball
-Sound is good, and fits the theme
-The boxer is just such a great toy
-Theme is really well intigrated
-No, really, the toys.

Cons:
-Scoring gets horrendously unbalanced once you get good at it
-Not a whole lot to shoot for; most of the shots are the minigames/toys.
-At times feels more like an amusement machine or video game than a pin (because of toys and rules)
-Backglass is a bit garish

Overall a fun game that guests loves, but it wears out its welcome quickly. This is one I wish was on location nearby, as I would love to drop a couple quarters in a few times a year. I couldn't justify keeping it in even a moderate-size collection with 25 games set up, though.

Collin has owned this game in the past.

7.858/10

8 years ago

BTN

Ill87pin

Inactive member

8y 23,650 56 9

Some of the best toys in pinball. Brings a whole new meaning to "bash toy" The jump rope, speedbag and punching ramps are very innovative. You fight different characters as displayed on the DMD but the playfield toy is only one guy, can't knock it for this but it makes it feel a bit repetitive. Still a very clever game and theme plus toy integration is the main focus of the game instead of being too gimmicky.

8.080/10

8 years ago

AMK

OrdealByFire

Inactive member

New Baltimore, MI

8y 23,650 57 43

This is one hell of a memorable table... who could forget a table with a punching bag in the center that rotates to reveal a fighter? This table has quite the rule set, and so it will take awhile to learn how to play (I'm still learning it). The gist of it is to train yourself and knock people out. Ways of training yourself include speed boxing and jump roping, both games that are played with the flippers. There is also a spitoon minigame that you play on screen. While I tend to dislike games that take me out of the "authentic pinball experience" for too long, I actually quite enjoy these aspects of Champion Pub. Another awesome aspect to this table is the skill shot, where you press and hold the plunger button until you let go to choose your desired bonus. While I'm pretty pitiful at this table (I can't make most shots on this table consistently for some reason), I think it's still a blast to play.

8.440/10

8 years ago

TSC

Bowlingpin

Pinside member

Nassau County, NY

9y 62,900 636 3 41

Very unique and executed perfectly... Reminds me a bit of mike tysons punch out... Only its a pinball machine! You train and you fight, all with the silver ball. Not another game like it!

Burp!

Previous Next 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

There are 200 ratings (that include a comment) on this game. Currently showing results page 4 of 8.

You too can add your own comment by rating this game! Click here to rate this game!

Over the years

Visualizing this game's rating and rank over the years

Hey there! Welcome to Pinside!

Donate to Pinside

Great to see you're enjoying Pinside! Did you know Pinside is able to run without any 3rd-party banners or ads, thanks to the support from our visitors? Please consider a donation to Pinside and get anext to your username to show for it! Or better yet, subscribe to Pinside+!