Williams
Fish Tales Pinside Rating
This game received 802 approved Pinsider ratings and currently rates 8.082 /10
Fish Tales
Score breakdown
Score breakdown in the 4 main categories:
Game Design: 8.102
Artwork: 8.313
Sounds/Music: 7.411
Other Aspects: 8.221
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 449 ratings (with comment) on this game
There are 449 ratings (that include a comment) on this game.
Currently showing results page 1 of 18.
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8.252/10
24 days ago
Buffalo, MN
What a great 90’s pin. FT plays fast but it can be a little brutal with the lighting flippers. I actually love this machine. The music is campy and it really never gets old. This is a classic game and the story telling about exaggerating the fish’s size is funny! I think the shot selection is a little lacking with the boat taking up so much of the playfield. I also think the scoring is a little unbalanced once you get it the center jackpot but it’s hard to get that far. I consider this a players machine which I love! I would love to have this game in my mancave!
Athens
8.047/10
35 days ago
While this game may not be m favorite, I can say that playing this in league is definitely the reason I can play well on other machines. This has all the necessary shots to help a new player learn the basics and has an easy rule set to strive towards.
8.540/10
61 days ago
My current favorite. Super fun, love the thrashing fish topper, EZ for anyone to get on and have fun. Plays fast. Quirky music is the best.
8.900/10
3 months ago
One of my favorites in my collection. I like the theme, the artwork, the rule sets, and the layout a ton. The colors are nice and the sounds really hit when you’re having a good game. A Williams classic!
London
7.187/10
4 months ago
Deceptively difficult as the flippers are pretty far apart on this pin, and anyone will be tempted by the captive ball in the middle of the playfield that can spell disaster pretty quickly.
The ruleset is pretty basic, I always thought there would be some more distinctive fishing experiences but it can be pretty repetitive. I think the jetski mini game is sort of neat, though I don't think a lot of mini games from this era really aged that well.
There's some fun to be had but the music is just terrible and drones on and on... would drive me crazy to be around this pin for too long. I really like the multi ball lock mechanism of a fishing reel, most thematic element of the machine.
The ruleset is pretty basic, I always thought there would be some more distinctive fishing experiences but it can be pretty repetitive. I think the jetski mini game is sort of neat, though I don't think a lot of mini games from this era really aged that well.
There's some fun to be had but the music is just terrible and drones on and on... would drive me crazy to be around this pin for too long. I really like the multi ball lock mechanism of a fishing reel, most thematic element of the machine.
7.607/10
9 months ago
This is one I keep going back to when I see where it ranks here. I am not a fan of the layout and the gimmicks in this one and over the years that has not changed. Williams did a great job in this time period with some unique themes. This one isn't for me, but I totally get that for some people this theme is perfect.
9.680/10
10 months ago
Wemeldinge
One of the few machines with a huge item in middle of the playfield. Mostly its in the way but here its ok or better it fits perfect. I do like shooting water-skiers. It's straight forward get those boats and water-skiers away. Shoot for multi-ball.
The multi-ball is nice addition. Several ways of getting one and even adding up. So 1 ball can get you 3 multi bal.
The game can be played randomly just shoot and see what happens. But also more pro like. Hold ball, shout boat left, shoot boat right etc. Schoot indicated arrows. You can even thing forward what you will do next. It never gets bored.
Watch out to shoot to the ball in the middle as it can cause a drain but also gets you to video mode. Be careful placing led in these machines. It might be to bright.
The multi-ball is nice addition. Several ways of getting one and even adding up. So 1 ball can get you 3 multi bal.
The game can be played randomly just shoot and see what happens. But also more pro like. Hold ball, shout boat left, shoot boat right etc. Schoot indicated arrows. You can even thing forward what you will do next. It never gets bored.
Watch out to shoot to the ball in the middle as it can cause a drain but also gets you to video mode. Be careful placing led in these machines. It might be to bright.
8.500/10
1 year ago
Ottawa
This is my newest pin, and was on my list as a machine to own. The theme is just so awesome and original, as is the gameplay. The smaller slippers certainly add challenge, however there are plenty of ways to get high scores. The topper looks great, though I do have mine set not to smash its tail.
The art is bright and has character. Highly recommend LEDs, with matching coloured ones under the fish at least.
The boat in the middle reminds me of the elevator in Who Dunnit? Though I rather the boat. It is iust fast and smooth, while allowing control.
Seriously just a great game, highly recommend!
The art is bright and has character. Highly recommend LEDs, with matching coloured ones under the fish at least.
The boat in the middle reminds me of the elevator in Who Dunnit? Though I rather the boat. It is iust fast and smooth, while allowing control.
Seriously just a great game, highly recommend!
Toulouse
9.660/10
1 year ago
Maybe I'm biased a little, but Fish Tales is one of the most, if not the most, fun pinball of all time for me. It just scream light family fun and everybody come back to it, even if you complete the game easily. Goofy humor, funny music, rules easy to understand for the newcomers: a great pin.
8.376/10
1 year ago
Just picked up a Fish Tales to bring one back to life. I always enjoyed playing thjs out but never took the theme seriously because I am not a big fishing fanatic. What I forgot is that ALL B/W from this era have such a high quality feel to the game ( solid cabinet, flippers and slings) that you realize your playing a game from another time and place in pin production. Diamond Plated playfields seem to last inexplicably long. It is still perfect after about 40,000 plays is my guess.
FT has a very basic rules set: Hit the boat ramps, load Multi Ball and stack modes to increase playfield values. The music is campy for sure and it is a simple game in general....but the posts provide real risk reward and the variety of shots keeps the game from being too repetitive ( at least for the era!). Overall the game is great in a big collection and a nice call back to B/W prime. There is a reason you see them EVERYWHERE even today. Timeless theme, kid friendly, and its always a riot to see that fish kick on captive ball shots ( gotta get that solenoid just right in there !).
FT has a very basic rules set: Hit the boat ramps, load Multi Ball and stack modes to increase playfield values. The music is campy for sure and it is a simple game in general....but the posts provide real risk reward and the variety of shots keeps the game from being too repetitive ( at least for the era!). Overall the game is great in a big collection and a nice call back to B/W prime. There is a reason you see them EVERYWHERE even today. Timeless theme, kid friendly, and its always a riot to see that fish kick on captive ball shots ( gotta get that solenoid just right in there !).
7.950/10
1 year ago
This game is a blast! The music is catchy, and then sort of annoying, but will get in your head and you can't shake it. I thought it played well - I've only played it at the Pinball Museum in Las Vegas, so it may not have been in the best shape. I'm really hoping Chicago Gaming Company remakes this.
7.375/10
1 year ago
Not my favorite. I’m not a fan of tables where I lose sight of the ball on the upper most part of the playfield. Was ok to play, played a few times probably not interested in playing again.
Bredared
6.530/10
1 year ago
A 90s classic machine and a favorite for many and rightfully so. It's a fun machine especially hitting the left and right ramps is very satisfying. It's not one of my personal favs, but I can see why many people love it.
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