Sega
Harley Davidson Pinside Rating
This game received 55 approved Pinsider ratings and currently rates 6.471 /10
Harley Davidson
Score breakdown
Score breakdown in the 4 main categories:
Game Design: 6.673
Artwork: 6.494
Sounds/Music: 5.814
Other Aspects: 6.254
Pinside staff rating
None of the Pinside.com staff have rated this game. Sorry, no rating from us.
Found 24 ratings (with comment) on this game
There are 24 ratings (that include a comment) on this game.
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Warren, PA
7.226/10
1 year ago
I am basing this review on the third edition of this machine by stern, which is what I played. (I think Stern made that machine edition) This machine is a prime example to get into pinball. It may not be the best machine in the world, not too exciting, but it is enough to get beginners started. This may be the machine I activated my first wizard mode on. The gameplay is simple, and you don't need to complete a complicated set of modes to get to the wizard modes. Simply picture the journey to the wizard mode as a simple drive there. The Harley Davidson motorcycle is driving to Milwaukee, which is where you will activate the wizard mode. It's a long drive, but a simple one to get beginners started on building their skills. It's simple in its ruleset and there is a third button that pulls something up to prevent the ball from draining. Its the perfect mechanic to learn how to prevent the ball from draining. I would definitely recommend this to anyone that wants to improve their skills. There's also a few neat exploits for skilled players. But beware if you activate Harley multiball and Milwaukee multiball at the same time. It's a double-edged sword. Once the time on Milwaukee runs out, when you drain the last ball (probably due to a glitch), your turn is over unless you have an extra ball on hand.
8.307/10
2 years ago
I bought a Sega Harley last week and have played it repeatedly since then. Not sure why this gets a bad rap. Is the rule set the deepest rule set in pinball? Absolutely not. But is it a super fun table to play? Absolutely is. Especially if it’s a nicely refurbished machine that plays fast and tight. Yes, it’s pretty easy to get multiball compared to most other tables, but that’s part of what makes it fun, going for those Super Harley Jackpots. And if you really want to challenge yourself, try getting alll the patches from 16 cities visited. I’m not sure I’ll ever accomplish that. Best I’ve done is 8 patches collected. And I like the extra button on the right to raise the center post. It only stays raised for about 1-2 seconds when you hit it, but it adds a real element to the game, and it’s amazing how many times I forget to hit it when it would have saved a drain. Only thing I don’t love is the speedometer multiball. Too hard to make the steep ramp with 4 balls in play. Super fun for guests too since the rules are straightforward.
6.347/10
3 years ago
We have this one for our love of HD and riding in general. We have the settings set to "easy" for friends and kids to hit multi-ball quickly, and that makes it a hit with the novices. Love the playfield look, needed better backglass/animation. (Note- mine is the first version, CQ, pristine condition)
7.608/10
3 years ago
I played this for the first time recently and was shocked at how good of a game this is. I don't understand all the negativity surrounding it, but I put about 10 games on this thing over two days and they were all fun. It's very forgiving and shoots pretty easy which may turn some hard core people off, but I enjoyed it. The shots didn't get old or repetitive. It reminded me a lot of The Getaway in rules and feel, which is a good thing. Everyone I was with thoroughly enjoyed this game.
7.920/10
6 years ago
I played this back when it came out and thought it was pretty fun, so more than 17 years later, I was open to the idea od trading for one despite the negative reviews- glad I did.
Harley is a very fun game. It's a Borg design which I like, the rules are pretty straight forward, with 3 different multiballs you'll want to revist over and over again (like you would in Tron) which is both fun for beginners and advanced players, because the jackpots and callouts are pretty sweet. For the advanced players, HD is no walk in the park, as it requires you to collect 16 patches to get to the Wiazard mode-Milwaukee multiball. To collect patches, you have a set number of miles per state you must complete, and the more patches you collect, the harder this becomes because the miles increase. However, the 8 drop targets down light the scoop for a patch, so this is where the sniper in you pays off.
Other than that, the scoring is solid and the balls end bonus x is very deep which I love. Basically every shot in the game is 100k x the number of times you hit it, so a good ball can net you 20-30 million.
The only bummer really, is the recycled video mode from GNR, which I also own, and this give you extra ball and when not extra ball, 35 million, which is a tad too much. Other than that slight flaw, the gameplay is just really fun to jam out to.
The playfield layout wips, with dual orbits, a spinner between the pops, and a steep swooping ramp. The up/down motorcycle is a cool toy, as well as the traffic light.
Playfield art is only so so, but imho, the backglass is awesome as well as the cabinet art.
Bottom line:
Harley IS a very fun pinball table, and I don't think it deserves the negative press honestly. I understand their classic appeal, but If games like T2 and Getaway can rank a full point or more higher, I don't feel that's accurate, given those tables limited rule sets and capped balls end bonus (max on those two are 9,200,000 which is lame)
Good strong flippers on a clean harley is a pure joy to play, I recommend it for beginners or pros, and I'm a two time state champion myself. (toot toot) ;)
Harley is a very fun game. It's a Borg design which I like, the rules are pretty straight forward, with 3 different multiballs you'll want to revist over and over again (like you would in Tron) which is both fun for beginners and advanced players, because the jackpots and callouts are pretty sweet. For the advanced players, HD is no walk in the park, as it requires you to collect 16 patches to get to the Wiazard mode-Milwaukee multiball. To collect patches, you have a set number of miles per state you must complete, and the more patches you collect, the harder this becomes because the miles increase. However, the 8 drop targets down light the scoop for a patch, so this is where the sniper in you pays off.
Other than that, the scoring is solid and the balls end bonus x is very deep which I love. Basically every shot in the game is 100k x the number of times you hit it, so a good ball can net you 20-30 million.
The only bummer really, is the recycled video mode from GNR, which I also own, and this give you extra ball and when not extra ball, 35 million, which is a tad too much. Other than that slight flaw, the gameplay is just really fun to jam out to.
The playfield layout wips, with dual orbits, a spinner between the pops, and a steep swooping ramp. The up/down motorcycle is a cool toy, as well as the traffic light.
Playfield art is only so so, but imho, the backglass is awesome as well as the cabinet art.
Bottom line:
Harley IS a very fun pinball table, and I don't think it deserves the negative press honestly. I understand their classic appeal, but If games like T2 and Getaway can rank a full point or more higher, I don't feel that's accurate, given those tables limited rule sets and capped balls end bonus (max on those two are 9,200,000 which is lame)
Good strong flippers on a clean harley is a pure joy to play, I recommend it for beginners or pros, and I'm a two time state champion myself. (toot toot) ;)
7.245/10
6 years ago
I am NOT a Harley guy (Honda/Yamaha) but this game is not as bad I see reviews for in my opinion. I have played it a few times and understand the rules without having to read up on it. It is a good layout and the "toys" fit quote well for this.
4.928/10
7 years ago
This game was lackluster in nearly every way, however I genuinely thought the use of the shaker motor to simulate the motorcycle rumble was clever and I liked the idea of moving to higher gears by way of the ramp. Overall gameplay was forgettable at best. I played this in a loud location, so I declined to rate the sound and music.
3.154/10
9 years ago
This game was really bad. The call outs were horrible. The gameplay made little sense. The play field art looks like it was drawn by a child. The game design did little to capture the essence of the Harley brand. It belongs in the laundrymat where I found it.
4.605/10
9 years ago
Just no my game. Could have been much better. Didnt do much with a classic theme.
7.335/10
9 years ago
I am a harley bike owner and really wanted this game. But they could have made a classic with so many Harley people out there and it would have been great in the bars but they just didn't do all they could. Worse part its a Sega and Quality is not the same as a late 90's Williams. It is fun to play a few games but I can't see playin for hours on end.. In a larger collection or in a harley collection it would be nice..
7.028/10
10 years ago
I jumped to judgment on this pin way too fast. I am not a huge fan of the theme and I think that made me judge the actual gameplay too harshly. This is a decent Sega era pin. It's fast, has good, flow, and plenty of multiball. Most Sega pins I play seem to not be very deep and just a lot of multiball. This one is no exception. Did I mention I hate the theme? Oh yeah I can't stand the theme, but underneath the poorly executed generic Harley theme is a decent pin. It's fast and can be very punishing. If you like a lot of multiball then this is your game. It's a fun game, but could get old fast.
5.315/10
10 years ago
As someone who bought his first HD back in 79, I have a long history of HD cycles and enjoy the theme. After playing this a few times, its obvious these pins are best played at bars by casual players. They could have done so much with this theme.....and did so very little. I really wanted to like this pin, but simply couldn't.
Rerated this game after playing it a few more times at the MGC.
As a HD owner, I certainly had thoughts of one day purchasing the pin. But as a pinhead, I know this machine is a lemon, with very weak game play.
If I buy anything that says HD on it, there better be wheels on it.
Sadly, this is a lame overpriced pin that belongs in the house of a well to do Harley owner that wants another accessory.
Rerated this game after playing it a few more times at the MGC.
As a HD owner, I certainly had thoughts of one day purchasing the pin. But as a pinhead, I know this machine is a lemon, with very weak game play.
If I buy anything that says HD on it, there better be wheels on it.
Sadly, this is a lame overpriced pin that belongs in the house of a well to do Harley owner that wants another accessory.
6.398/10
12 years ago
I am a bike and Harley fan and this pin did not do much for me. It was worth a few plays but I will probably never own it.
6.065/10
12 years ago
Meh..ok game that gets kinda old.
There is a third button which lifts a pop up blocker between the flippers, wow this should make things really easy right? WRONG!!! That damn thing changes the way you play and will screw you over in the end. Just pretend its not there and you will do much better!
There is a third button which lifts a pop up blocker between the flippers, wow this should make things really easy right? WRONG!!! That damn thing changes the way you play and will screw you over in the end. Just pretend its not there and you will do much better!
3.765/10
12 years ago
I played this at a motel. I do not own this pin. HATED IT! No matter how I tried to like it, I couldn't wait for the time I had allotted to play it to be over with! It just wasn't fun! I guess because I don't like motorcycles I felt it was just a pin for people of that kind of cult. Nothing appealing to me at all. In fact, I can't even remember much about the play field toys or any memorable modes or actions. Sorry to rate it so low, but just being honest here.
8.135/10
12 years ago
Multiball gets sorta crazy on this one. The shaker is appropriate for a motorcycle themed pinball machine such as this. I enjoyed playing it. Has a great ramp.
5.752/10
14 years ago
This game is definately for a novice. Fun theme with a great toy (the motorcycle ball lock) and a wild ramp. The rumbling machine is a nice effect but does not change anything for the gameplay. Plenty of multiballs and has the rising block in between the flippers to keep longer balls. I think the game is fun, but not one I could keep coming back to if I had it in my game room.
7.925/10
14 years ago
i own the 3rd edition of this game made in 2005. i have all the new artwork etc and it looks great (at least compared to the old machine). From what i understand the machine is the same as the original except the art work has changed (also my machine vibrates like a harley.. not sure if that's on the original game either). I like the game. Fast play, and there's enough going on to keep my focus. The only thing i would knock it on is the pop up blocker in between the flippers (seems like cheating) but at times the game picks up to a fast pace especially with all the balls dumping out of the Harley store compartment at once (so it seems needed at times to make the game fair).
There are 24 ratings (that include a comment) on this game. Currently showing results page 1 of 1.
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