Cirqus Voltaire

Bally

Cirqus Voltaire

Pinside Rating

This game received 700 approved Pinsider ratings and currently rates 8.392 /10

8.392

Top 100 ranking

This game ranks #44 in the Pinside Pinball Top 100.



Score breakdown

Score breakdown in the 4 main categories:

Game Design: 8.398

Artwork: 8.738

Sounds/Music: 7.796

Other Aspects: 8.356


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.

8.594

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Found 363 ratings (with comment) on this game

There are 363 ratings (that include a comment) on this game.
Currently showing results page 6 of 15.

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8.711/10
8 years ago
i really want this game
8.400/10
8 years ago
One of the most colorful pins I have played. Looks great, plays great.
8.284/10
8 years ago
cant say to much on this one. dnt have to many plays (30-40)..but it is very fun ,diffrent from other machines i miss the dmd on the back glass but think it is great on the lower back box playfield the back glass seems to be missing your score ,takes getting use to and i could live with out the ball play on the back box but that what makes c.v what it is ...a bit diffrent...,it plays
fast and smooth...personaly i think a keeper a bit over priced but all new and great games are up in value,way to high..not affordable for the average joe
10.000/10
8 years ago
CV great game not easy to find and as such comes at a premium price. Have this in my collection great fun to play.
Cheers popaduke
7.880/10
8 years ago
This is an absolutely unique game, that I believe was under-appreciated in the era it was released. Say what you will about John Popadiuk, he has an interesting approach to design and added some unique features that were at once both innovative and a throwback to the designs of yore (the inset raising pop bumper is a good example of this). I'm confused as to whether games like Voltaire are just a cheap collection of party tricks. I'm drawn in regardless. Cirqus embodies the wonder and excitement of pinball that was lost in 1998. Too bad it didn't earn money, and was left relatively unfinished. The art is fantastic. The music fits the theme. Gimmicky or the result of a unified vision, the game is great.
9.580/10
8 years ago
Just great fun. Not too hard but sooo unique. Shame John tarnished his good name. BUT HE DID.
8.340/10
8 years ago
Love the artwork and colors!! I'd own one "IF" the price was right.
8.468/10
8 years ago
Different from most games out there. I don't think I've played a machine that matched the layout quite like Circus Voltaire, so it gets a +1 for uniqueness. The shots are placed well and most are easy to hit. The rising ringmaster toy is fun, but the shot itself gets a bit repetitive. There are many chances for multiball.

The placement of the display in the back of the cabinet is a nice touch, but I wish they would have done more with the extra space on the backglass. Overall a pretty fun game. I do get sick of playing it after awhile, so I don't think I'd ever want to own it, but it's still great to come across one out in the public.
5.406/10
8 years ago
I had high hopes based upon the reviews that just never panned out on this game. I owned one for a little over 1 year. The deal they offered on this game during close out was incredible back in the day. I was never was able to get into the theme as executed and just didn't enjoy the overall feel of the game. This game had very little play in my collection from the family so it left the building!

This must be one of those love it or hate it games that is way over hyped in my opinion.
8.840/10
8 years ago
This table is pretty easy to learn how to play. On this table, you need to complete a bunch of little missions to eventually join the circus. This is a very newbie friendly table as seemingly every shot finds a ramp or loop, and there are a few different multiball opportunities. Cirqus Voltaire really has it all for any fan of pinball... a fantastic light show, great sound, and interesting missions. The key to getting a high score on this table is to activate one of many multiballs as often as possible, and complete all of the missions. As said, once you complete the six (?) individual tasks, you must finish three steps to successfully join the circus, score a ton of points, and then essentially start all over from the beginning. This table has a lot going on, especially in terms of the lights -- honestly, there are always so many lights flashing that it can sometimes be difficult to see where your ball is at. But also, there's a lot going on gameplay wise as well. The key feature of this table is likely the Ringmaster, who is easily triggered, and is fairly easy to beat. Naturally, there come timed jackpots and the like that only the better pinball players will be able to hit. Cirqus Voltaire is one of the most critically acclaimed pinball tables ever for a reason... it caters to players of all skill levels, has a great aesthetic, and pretty much has it all.
9.389/10
8 years ago
Finally got to play one. I loved it. This machine has a very cool feel to it and is very unique. I really enjoyed playing it
9.680/10
8 years ago
In my opinion, this is pinball perfection!
7.541/10
8 years ago
This game looks so cool. But why does it have to be so repetitive?
9.940/10
8 years ago
excellent game.
love this game I'll have to buy one for me
10.000/10
8 years ago
Love this game ... very different and has me always coming back to play it. I actually had this game for a few years now but just got around to rating it. Completed LED'ing and added mirror blades ... wow, what a difference.
8.084/10
8 years ago
CV is one of the best looking pins every made - the sound, speech, music, art and rules all tie the theme together nicely. It's John Popaduik's best game (followed closely by TOTAN). I love cranky toys - and the ringmaster fits the role nicely. The wizard mode is one of the best in pinball as well.
8.140/10
9 years ago
Although this game comes from my favourite pinball designer, John Popadiuk, it doesn't really satisfy me to the extent that games such as Tales of the Arabian Nights and Theatre of Magic do. Still enjoyable, my opinion is naturally subjective (that's what an opinion is, right?).

Pros:
- very colourful, classic JPop design
- lots of new playfield toys and gimmicks that you'll definitely love

Cons:
- the biggest issue I have with this game is the DMD at the back of the playfield; although it is an innovation, I think it is a bad one seeing how we're all used to the DMD being on the backbox (some say that it's more ergonomic since you don't have to look up all the time - I say bollocks!)
- may seem a little bit of an eccentric game, even for JPop (the Ringmaster, enough said)
- links to the DMD problem; backglass is huge, really looks weird next to your other modern pins
7.916/10
9 years ago
Played it only a few times at the pinball expo. Game is very fun to play and doesn't take long to figure out the basic rules and what you need to be aiming the ball at. Cabinet and playfield is very colorful which makes the game very different. It,s a little too colorful for my taste. Wouldn't mine owning one some day but is not at the top of my list of pins to own.
9.095/10
9 years ago
beautiful machine, well diversified and interactive, one of my favorites.
"I'm the ringmaster!"
9.420/10
9 years ago
J Pop does it again

"I am the Ring Master"


I had 2 CV

1 Sample Proto
1 production model

The Neon is a nice touch
the "boom balloon" is a great feature

once that RM comes up for the 1st time and he "throws" the ball at you - GAME ON

Lots to do in this title

I like how the DMD was lowered in the playfield so its easier on the eyes and its more interactive with the game play

do you have what it takes to "join the cirqus"?
8.820/10
9 years ago
I really want to love this game, but it is missing something for me. The game has a great concept
The shots are not as fluid as a game like M.M. Still like playing when I see one.
8.140/10
9 years ago
Fast game with lots of shots. The "Ringmaster" keeps things interesting as does the menagerie ball with random ball paths off of each. Another game I can play over and over and don't tire of. The neon makes an cool impression as well but I give this game a thumbs up.
7.972/10
9 years ago
Really awesome game to look at but I get annoyed with the ringmaster...
9.560/10
9 years ago
Amazing game, whole field full of shots, actual hard wizard progression. The art blows me away although I think the cab would be great in other colors besides green. Very polarizing too, people love it and people hate it. I love all of the jpop but this one is the standout.
9.380/10
9 years ago
this is a wonderful title it was the first pin I purchased , I think I wanted it more than any other I could think of at the time its super fun to play , decent rules, stackable multiballs , joining the circus is an awesome feeling to accomplish & the crazy video mode after beating ringmaster battle & the wizard modes are epic
There are 363 ratings (that include a comment) on this game. Currently showing results page 6 of 15.

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