Williams
Earthshaker Pinside Rating
This game received 302 approved Pinsider ratings and currently rates 7.841 /10
Earthshaker
Score breakdown
Score breakdown in the 4 main categories:
Game Design: 7.976
Artwork: 7.85
Sounds/Music: 7.145
Other Aspects: 8.022
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.
Found 154 ratings (with comment) on this game
There are 154 ratings (that include a comment) on this game.
Currently showing results page 4 of 7.
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9.900/10
9 years ago
Atlanta, GA
"Oh, bitchin'!" I LOVE Earthshaker for many reasons. The shaker motor, the game design, the game play, etc. This game is on my wish list. Soon I am going to the best pinball museum in the USA (and most likely the entire world) to play this game again!
8.720/10
9 years ago
A great system 11 that I owned for awhile. I can only have so many games so had to make the hard decision and trade this one out.
8.291/10
9 years ago
Earthshaker is often the forgotten Lawlor Williams game. Not a lot were made, and outside the PAPA facility, I've never seen one on location. And such a shame, because Earthshaker not only represents the best of Pat Lawlor, but of the entire System 11 era.
As a prelude to Whirlwind, Earthshaker is another disaster theme pin based upon chasing earthquakes. The shots are fast and flowing, and the setup is a bit unusual, with the weighting of the playfield reversed from typical Lawlor designs. That is to say, the upper ramp and jackpot shot is a left-to-right shot from an upper flipper.
The premise is pretty easy to grasp: the skill shot is a fun plunge into a winding ramp. There are bonuses to be had from hitting the scoop in the right of the playfield, and you can rack up miles by hitting the easy shot up the center ramp. There's a nice loop that is tough to hit from either side, and a weird little saucer that feeds the upper left flipper. The bank of drops in the center gives you a way to backhand a ball to bank a shot to the upper flipper. All in all, it's a great design that just shows you the command over geometry that Pat Lawlor has.
To get to multiball, you light a certain number of zones with clearly-marked shots to light the lock, then bang the ball up the side ramp or into a very tight scoop to lock the ball.
As will all Lawlor multiballs, Earthshaker's jackpot is not a free ride. You have to hit the center ramp to light the jackpot and then hit the side ramp to collect. It's deceptively difficult since the ramps favor the left flipper, but feeding the upper flipper is easier from the right, requiring you to either juggle the balls like a pro, or become very facile at feeding the upper flipper with a backhanded bank shot while cradling the other balls on the right.
If there were any complaints to be made, it's that there isn't an additional jackpot, and that the center ramp is a very easy scorefest that you can chop wood on all day. As such, it's a great machine to play for fun, but not great for competition.
The artwork and toys are great. The ramps and habitrails are winding, the art is classic 80's and the music, while not incredibly varied, is really great. The shaker motor and the moving fault line are super cool, though it's a shame that the sinking building was removed from the production run.
All in all, Earthshaker is a winner and a keeper in my collection. It's not the deepest game out there, but it is incredibly fun, and a very engaging game!
As a prelude to Whirlwind, Earthshaker is another disaster theme pin based upon chasing earthquakes. The shots are fast and flowing, and the setup is a bit unusual, with the weighting of the playfield reversed from typical Lawlor designs. That is to say, the upper ramp and jackpot shot is a left-to-right shot from an upper flipper.
The premise is pretty easy to grasp: the skill shot is a fun plunge into a winding ramp. There are bonuses to be had from hitting the scoop in the right of the playfield, and you can rack up miles by hitting the easy shot up the center ramp. There's a nice loop that is tough to hit from either side, and a weird little saucer that feeds the upper left flipper. The bank of drops in the center gives you a way to backhand a ball to bank a shot to the upper flipper. All in all, it's a great design that just shows you the command over geometry that Pat Lawlor has.
To get to multiball, you light a certain number of zones with clearly-marked shots to light the lock, then bang the ball up the side ramp or into a very tight scoop to lock the ball.
As will all Lawlor multiballs, Earthshaker's jackpot is not a free ride. You have to hit the center ramp to light the jackpot and then hit the side ramp to collect. It's deceptively difficult since the ramps favor the left flipper, but feeding the upper flipper is easier from the right, requiring you to either juggle the balls like a pro, or become very facile at feeding the upper flipper with a backhanded bank shot while cradling the other balls on the right.
If there were any complaints to be made, it's that there isn't an additional jackpot, and that the center ramp is a very easy scorefest that you can chop wood on all day. As such, it's a great machine to play for fun, but not great for competition.
The artwork and toys are great. The ramps and habitrails are winding, the art is classic 80's and the music, while not incredibly varied, is really great. The shaker motor and the moving fault line are super cool, though it's a shame that the sinking building was removed from the production run.
All in all, Earthshaker is a winner and a keeper in my collection. It's not the deepest game out there, but it is incredibly fun, and a very engaging game!
Sydney
7.855/10
10 years ago
Finally got a chance to play this one at kickback cafe in Pittsburgh. Great condition, worked well. Never played it before but I logged about 7 plays on it...lots of fun and quite challenging! The one ball lock shot is tucked away very tight in the back right.
Also has one of the best skill shots ever....it actually takes...SKILL! Perfect plunge is satisfying. The upper flipper can get you three shots between targets and ramps...not a one trick pony. Ruleset was easy to pick up on, would like to master it sometime though. Right up there with my favorite system 11s.
Also has one of the best skill shots ever....it actually takes...SKILL! Perfect plunge is satisfying. The upper flipper can get you three shots between targets and ramps...not a one trick pony. Ruleset was easy to pick up on, would like to master it sometime though. Right up there with my favorite system 11s.
Kettering
7.798/10
10 years ago
Earthshaker has such a great theme for a pin. If you play one that's set up right it is loads of fun with a lot of replay value. The lighting isn't the best on the upper part of the playfield but you're not really shooting up there very much. It's also true that there aren't a lot of shots for the right flipper, but the Zone 5 shot is essential to the game play and the spinner shot is fun too. The game seems simple but collecting jackpots is a major challenge. The shelter shot is tight and satisfying when you can hit it. I sure do wish it had a kick-back and a timed ball-save. That left out-lane can be brutal.
I would highly recommend this game to anyone that has multiple machines in their collection. It is different than most and adds a sense of variety. Also, it is less intimidating to casual players....who gravitate to it after a game like F14 kicks their behinds. Plus, everyone gets a big smile when they get that shaker going.
UPDATE - I added some spotlights, an LED in the shelter, and the sinking-building kit and it is like a whole new game! I can finally see the upper playfield and making that Earthquake Institute sink is always satisfying. In stock form, I'd leave my rating as is. But, with a few mods, I'd give Earthshaker a solid 8. I can't get enough! Ritchie may be the king...but Lawlor is the prince.
I would highly recommend this game to anyone that has multiple machines in their collection. It is different than most and adds a sense of variety. Also, it is less intimidating to casual players....who gravitate to it after a game like F14 kicks their behinds. Plus, everyone gets a big smile when they get that shaker going.
UPDATE - I added some spotlights, an LED in the shelter, and the sinking-building kit and it is like a whole new game! I can finally see the upper playfield and making that Earthquake Institute sink is always satisfying. In stock form, I'd leave my rating as is. But, with a few mods, I'd give Earthshaker a solid 8. I can't get enough! Ritchie may be the king...but Lawlor is the prince.
7.979/10
10 years ago
Solid Williams pin from 1989. Pat Lawlor was starting hit hit is stride with this game. The shaker in the game adds an added bones you don't expect. An interesting layout that provides a few challenging shots. Lighthearted color scheme that is fun to play. The mirrored backglass is a work of art.
8.360/10
10 years ago
Another great Williams classic.I think this game doesn't get its respect.It was an 80's game!Yes,there are better games but this game is truly fun.Good ramps,lots of good shots,great music and speech.The states split and shaker motor are pretty cool too.I own one and it doesnt get old to me.Very fun!
7.648/10
10 years ago
Love Pat Lawlor's games and this is the most affordable game he's made. Great theme, fun shots, and a blast to play. Feels like a classic Lawlor design. The shots are varied and utilize the whole playfield. Really love the two part jackpot, really makes you work for the score. Only real complaint is that the series of zones you need to hit are the same every time at the beginning. Sometimes feels like playing a video game where you have to play through the first level over and over. Art is a little cheesy, but goes well with the theme. Glad I picked it up.
8.234/10
10 years ago
Definetly family friendly and fun game. If you are limited on space this is a great machine. Art makes it a good fit for a living room and as I mentioned great for kids and adults alike. We have had hours of fun on ours.
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