Pinside rating

This game has received 44 approved Pinsider ratings. 6 more approved ratings are needed to get a rating and for it to be eligible for the Pinside Pinball Top 100 ranking.

Pinside staff rating

This is how we, the very knowledgeable (wink wink) Pinside.com staff & moderators rate this game. 1 of us has rated this game.

7.021

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Found 22 ratings (with comment) on this game

There are 22 ratings (that include a comment) on this game.
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7.031/10

8 months ago

MAS

Sammer

Pinside+ Frequent

2y 36,300 42 4 6

Gold Wings is solid. Lock a ball in the clouds. Then activate the release through the left "inlane" and shoot it up the Playfield to trigger multiball. It's a blast! Build up that multiplier for massive points. The siren is fun and the light show on the ball launch is great with the topper installed. Under rated and it will be hard to let this one go.

Sammer currently owns this game.

8.487/10

10 months ago

E

DK

Pinball Naples

12y 155K 4,859 129 1

The game kicks ass! Great background music and if you can respect the fact that not every game needs to be a Godzilla/Medieval Madness you'll enjoy the shots/strategy of Gold Wings!

DK edited previous rating on March 03, 2024.

6.758/10

1 year ago

PIE

SilverballGamer

Pinside member

4y 57,650 29 5 87

Gold Wings is certainly another bizarre Gottlieb game that, while with its flaws, comes out as a decent game.

Pro’s:

Super interesting layout: I cannot say I have seen anything else like it.

Some really cool toys (mainly the looping ramp).

Sound isn’t too bad, and can be pretty enjoyable if you like the FM sound.

While the model I played was missing it, the topper for this game looks sweet, and I wish I could have played one with it

Con’s:

The air horn is pretty unnecessary. It’s not as loud as expected, but still a nuisance and doesn’t make the game any better.

This game unfortunately falls into the trap of being a one shot game. Just hit the looping ramp over and over again.

Artwork isn’t great (the backglass has some good cheese, though).

The center spinner is pretty pointless.

Overall, a very creative game for it’s time, though it certainly has flaws.

2.679/10

2 years ago

JFM

Striker

Inactive member

Alexandria, VA

4y 47,550 114 58

Another example of Gottlieb being too cheap to get the proper license (Top Gun). Photo translite is not as bad as Raven, which is the nicest thing one can say about it. A rushed product (as all Gottliebs were during this era) and rules established by a committee of executives. The “cheap” approach did not attract many operators or buyers, which led to low production runs (compared to what their competitors were doing). If you want an example of how to do a jet fighter pinball very well, look no further than F14 Tomcat.

9.159/10

2 years ago

CCO

pinballboy

Pinside+ Frequent

3y 56,400 359 6 18

come on people. give this game some slack. if you get this machine cleaned and adjusted its a very very fun game. i think the siren makes the game unique and its extra fun when people come over and if your really bothered by it then just take the fuse out. the art isnt that bad either, the only thing im not a fan of in this game is the backglass. will be in my collection forever.

pinballboy edited previous rating on April 15, 2022.
pinballboy currently owns this game.

8.424/10

2 years ago

VIL

climbingsim

Pinside member

Calgary, AB

2y 20,000 2 17 6

I like this game. A bit of a different layout but that’s what makes it interesting.
It’s missing a starting skill shot but makes up for it in specific themed shots the rest of the time.
Hitting the loop shot when coming down the danger zone is so satisfying. I had to increase my flipper power , but now I get the satisfaction of hitting the loop the loop shot when I want to. Cool themed gimmick.
Left playfield gives you choices, danger zone multiplier or loop bumpers.
Right play field is all about the shots, ramp, right orbit, loop, or targets.
The game is all about increasing the multiplier, starting multiball and then hoping you hit the aircraft carrier for a monster score.
I replaced the original muted pastel translite (which sucks) with a custom crisp top gun & jet design. Really makes the game pop in my basement now.

climbingsim currently owns this game.

3.745/10

2 years ago

AOK

NetherFredo

Pinside apprentice

Cushing, MN

3y 35,400 7 9 92

Nothing to see here. Bad playfield layout, didn’t get the Top Gun license, not much fun. If I was trapped on a desert island with this machine I would play it much more and probably find some positive aspects, but after a few plays I see no reason to ever play it again.

7.531/10

3 years ago

JSL

creamyjeremy

Jeremy's Downtown Arcade

Nampa, ID

3y 37,150 36 14 11

Back in the 90s, I wrote this game off as bad in the face of all the excitement of mid-90s pinballs and their flashiness.

Recently picked this up just because it's stuck in my mind all these years.
Casual players should enjoy this game. It's got so many interesting features and gimmicks, although the division of the playfield may make the game seem limited.

Personally, I enjoy the 80s themed translate, although I know many people do not.

Playing it now, I really enjoy it. It's simplistic in rules, yet requires mastering the various areas of the playfield.
It's a different style of game play and not everyone is going to like it.

creamyjeremy currently owns this game.

3.976/10

3 years ago

JSB

JessMaster

Pinside member

Québec, QC

14y 34,750 11 61

The horn is horrible feature and to loudly!

8.265/10

3 years ago

BAS

pinostalgia

Pinside member

Little Rock, AR

6y 58,300 537 10 6

Great game

pinostalgia currently owns this game.

7.806/10

4 years ago

EEP

edptrs

Pinside member

4y 29,650 9 19

Recommended. Quick turn arounds, 3 playfields with different features, deep enough rules and that siren!

7.209/10

4 years ago

JNS

TecumsehPlissken

Pinside member

Longwood, FL

9y 115K 2,558 10 103

the playfield on this game has perhaps the most unusual layout I have ever seen , as well as an odd flipper arrangement but it also has many different kinds of shots ,even a loop ramps shot , kind of lame art package but a fun game that gets points from me for being so different

7.603/10

5 years ago

GTX

gdonovan

Pinside member

7y 185K 13,203 70

Only had the game a few weeks but is great fun to play. The playfield is very tight making some very fast action during multi-ball! Best strategy is to loft one up field if you can so you can focus on one at a time. Sound is clear and has definite themes when different events are going on like multiball primed or when you are in the "danger zone" the left side of the field.

Yes, the translight brings nothing to the table but its not like you look it much during gameplay! Cabinet is sort of average, topper is ok and brings a bit extra cool when going.

The siren is a riot, we have ours hooked up.

Game review revised, while fun did not have lasting power in the collection.

gdonovan edited previous rating on March 12, 2021.

6.952/10

5 years ago

BUD

jeep-mustang

Pinside member

8y 71,050 174 1 8

My scoring of this machine does not really reflect how much I love playing this thing. When the air raid siren screams it’s awesome!
The very original play field and fun loop shot is great. A very simple game with a very easy multi ball, but still a blast to play.

Edit- Rating raised based on mods I added-
After replacing the back glass with a really great looking “Top Gun” themed one from EBay the game looks sexy as hell, and visitors want to play “Top Gun”.
Also added 3 spotlights and 7 general illumination lights under the plastics and LED bulbs throughout the machine and it’s a whole new machine. Bright, vibrant and pulls you in walking by.

jeep-mustang edited previous rating on July 31, 2020.
jeep-mustang has owned this game in the past.

7.627/10

6 years ago

KRB

Starmag

Pinside member

Clearwater, FL

10y 26,400 24 2 24

The backglass is awful but someone on Ebay is making an alternative that's WAY better.
https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_nkw=gold%20wings%20pinball&ssPageName=GSTL
This is an underrated, fun game. Music is so-so, but the jet sound effects are great and the siren is awesome. Very flashy with 7 flash bulbs on the playfeild. Great attract mode when set to "novelty".

7.250/10

6 years ago

JLG

JodyG

Ramp-O-Matic

6y 143K 4,609 6 21 1

I do not fully understand why this gets such a bad rap. I have played far more games that I couldn't wait to be done sinking the third ball. When people come over to play my machines, this one currently is played the most, especially among beginner and casual players. I did add additional GI lighting to mine, which made the game look 100% better.

JodyG currently owns this game.

7.085/10

6 years ago

JON

classicgamefan

Pinside member

11y 63,150 206 49

Although hurt by the unlicensed "Top Gun" ripoff theme and the poor aesthetics of the Gottlieb/Premier cabinet geometry, I feel that Gold Wings is greater than the sum of it's parts. Yes, the main playfield is claustrophobic taking up about a third of the total area. That being said, it feels like there are always choices of what to shoot for. This is certainly a unique layout with different shots and multiple horseshoe loops. The 500,000 shot may unbalance things a bit, but overall I find this a very fun game to play in one of my local leagues.

5.588/10

7 years ago

BIL

racer_x

Inactive member

Zion, IL

8y 45,550 196 6 7

Another Premier title that I enjoy far more than the score would reflect. No real flow to the game, the signature Premier flippers, and general high level of cheese. None of this matters when that air raid sirens hits, which no matter the popular opinion is completely awesome.

6.848/10

8 years ago

CAG

codered9394

Pinside member

Augusta, GA

9y 64,050 1,150 8 13

Just found one of these. Just got it up and running and i have to say after about 50 games it is very fun to play. Game play is fun and the shots are fitting with the theme. No drains and the ball rescue feature makes for some long ball times. Nice loop shot and the 500.000 shot can add up quick for points. The music and sound is straight out of the 80s. Terrible back glass that doesn't fit the theme in my opinion. Very loud siren that goes off with major shots but needs to be disconnected for home use. I like it!

codered9394 has owned this game in the past.

7.723/10

10 years ago

ERC

Paisley_Pinball

Inactive member

Paisley

11y 51,650 85 47 56

This game, more than any other i have played, really captures the theme. Tight turns and a 360 loop at the top really make this design stand out.
The sound and music are amazing, again really capturing the theme. And that siren! good lord.
The backglass is dated, but cool as well in an 80s way. The cabinet art is a plain stencil job, so not to exciting.
I love the flow of this game.

Paisley_Pinball edited previous rating on March 02, 2021.
Paisley_Pinball has owned this game in the past.

6.830/10

12 years ago

???

system11

Inactive member

19y 52,400 1,042 4 54

If the flippers are strong and if the playfield is at the right angle, waxed and everything adjusted well, this isn't a bad game - the layout is very different but unfortunately it kind of forces a particular order to the things you're shooting for. If anything is not up to scratch there are playfield shots that simply don't work - like the 270 degree spin lanes not sending the ball where they should on exit. Has an insanely loud air siren inside the cabinet, you'll want to disconnect that for home use, or wear ear defenders.

system11 has owned this game in the past.

7.021/10

14 years ago

DEL

SealClubber

Pinside Moderator

14y 127K 11,060 246

Top gun theme without the License. Has the typically bad Gottlieb translite which kills the ratings. Game has no voices. Music is very 80s synth. Sounds fit the theme. The topper is pretty cool. Had a lot of time on one of these as a teen so I ended up buying one from a friend for nostalgia sake. This machine has no out lanes but it is designed to allow a Lazarus save. If a ball drains with speed, it sometimes would bounce over to the other side of the playfield and back on top of the opposite flipper. The playfield is cluttered due to the split playfield but it has a couple of u-turns which makes the lower right play fast. I shape the loop into an elliptical to get the ball to go all the way round easier. Making that shot is rewarding. I pull the fuse from the siren as it is LOUD.

SealClubber edited previous rating on October 19, 2012.

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