Houdini

Pinside rating

This game received 303 approved Pinsider ratings and currently rates 7.824 /10

7.824

Top 100 ranking

This game ranks #115 in the Pinside Pinball Top 100.



Score breakdown

Score breakdown in the 4 main categories:

Game Design: 7.624

Artwork: 8.204

Sounds/Music: 7.455

Other Aspects: 7.838


Pinside staff rating

This is how we, the very knowledgeable (wink wink) Pinside.com staff & moderators rate this game. 2 of us have rated this game.

8.762

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Found 173 ratings (with comment) on this game

There are 173 ratings (that include a comment) on this game.
Currently showing results page 1 of 7.

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8.244/10
44 days ago
I like this game. The toys are great. It is a beautiful and well built machine. They are currently very underrated and thus a real deal in my opinion. Still learning the rules. And yes , as you have heard , some of the shots are really hard to make reliably for an average player like myself , but hopefully will force me to get better. A nice change from the rest of my stern collection.
9.226/10
3 months ago
IMHO... one of the most underrated pins on the market. Great Theme, Great Fun, Great PF options and lighting... Very Tuff Yes. The mech's are really cool. Machine is solid. Best value pin on the used market today. I traded my ST-Pro for this plus cash my way. Best deal I've done in a long while.

Find one and try it... more than once!
RKip
8.860/10
3 months ago
Let's just say this has to be one of the most underrated and misunderstood games of all time. The build quality is outstanding and the materials top notch. A gorgeous machine inside and out. The mechs and lighting are tremendous. The code is deep and fun with tons to do but not too complicated. The 22 inch trunk shot never gets old--theatre is way cool. The fact that it isn't even in the top 100 is laughable and embarrassing. That's due to the mob mentality and groupthink /lazy takes of this site unfortunately which I just saw a pinball company honcho commenting on the other day. So--biggest complaint you always hear is "shots are too tight." I have some news for you in that regard to what that really means--it means 1 of 2 things. #1--you're just not really that good at pinball--it's ok.#2--You haven't given it enough time to get dialed in to the shots. Give it time and you will get a lot better at it. The price is so good right now--if you have been on the fence---BUY IT. I highly recommend for good players and even if you are average --just give it some time. For a first effort from AP--tremendous game and a shame it/you don't get the credit you deserve.
7.623/10
4 months ago
This machine has some difficult shots what makes it a challenge to play. I like the game and the way they integrated the theme. Also shooting the ball from front to back in the box is very cool. I like that the shots are hard to make but I understand that it can be frustrating for some people. The animation isn't my thing in my opinion it would be cooler to make it a bit more realistic.
6.127/10
4 months ago
I hope to enjoy this pinball, but the gameplay is not my cup of tea ...so boring...if you compare the bally T O M is very more interesting and fun to play ... beautifull playfied however ...
8.700/10
5 months ago
This game is very underrated. I’m playing on an extra power supply and capacitor machine, so it runs perfectly (though it does seem silly that it needs those). The shots may seem hard, but that’s why this is an amazing home game. The challenge of this game is why I like it so much. You will figure out the shots and you will be wondering what people are going on about. The coding is great and deep. There are lots of opportunities to stack and get big scores.

For the price, this game just has so much going for it. 3 magnets, 2 catapults, the theater mech and locks above the pops. It’s all very cool. Compare it to a Stern and the Sterns just seem lacking.

This game deserves more love. If you get a chance to add this to your collection do it!
6.978/10
9 months ago
Not a bad pin in terms of shots and layout, although almost all of the shots are difficult to hit. I like the theme, and the playfield looks beautiful (but not the backglass). The mechs and toys give it a sort of steampunk vibe. The video screen has nothing interesting and attempts at humor fall flat.
8.612/10
9 months ago
I have a Houdini that was an ex demo in a show room so it had been modded to play right i.e. an extra power supply for the flippers during multiball which I found out later is a massive pro. It has also had the trunk/chest modded to catch more often (I've only ever seen it miss once in about 90 games and it shots the ball through the air around 22 inches close to 2 feet into the chest! the longest out of any pinball machine ever made awesome toy/mech.
It came with non reflective glass, art blades and shaker motor which is turn down to the lowest setting so shit doesn't shake lose.
Playing the game is so different to any other pin we have (we have another 15 odd games) it's so smooth with the slings and the beautiful chained lock pad pop bumpers, you cant even feel them going off through the machine but very responsive at the same time and then the magnets kick in around the slings and do some of the best magnet effects I've ever experienced and I have a CV, TZ with the extra magnet and a RBION!
The stage shot, capture and screen is very different again but cool and the game has many interactive video mods. Also checkout the start game button light which flashes in Morse Code can you workout the morse code message ?!
Ok the tight shots!.......... Tight but so rewarding to make them and that's why I still own this game and it sits next to our TOM,

The people that say Houdini is too tight for shots want cheap thrills !!

The hard shots in Houdini give you the experience worth working towards which makes the thrills so awesome!
8.424/10
10 months ago
Never once had I considered picking up this game because it ranks low. Took a chance and I'm very glad I did. My favorite game I've played in a long while. I love everything about this game, including the difficulty. Nobody talks about this game, but I'd recommend it before half the games that rank higher.
9.240/10
1 year ago
This is a beautiful game. Side blades give it a fantastic look. Added a shaker that brings it to life. It is a very challenging pin that gives you a rewarding feeling when you are able to navigate the narrow channels. It’s hard bu5 I keep going back to it to improve.
8.236/10
1 year ago
Yes, the shots are tight. But, they are all able to be made repeatedly. The game is beautiful. Art and lighting are excellent. There are a variety of modes that all play differently. The magnets under the playfield really do add that "magic" feel. Give this one a fair try if you get a chance!
7.622/10
1 year ago
I found the flipper action extremely slow and shots just okay. Played twice and wslked
9.260/10
1 year ago
This game is criminally underrated. It is absolutely absurd the things that “pinsiders” complain about in regards to this title. It’s gorgeous, has and excellent layout and ruleset, deep code, its a total blast to flip and the build quality is top notch. The difficulty for me at least is a good thing, it means that it’s a game I’ll have to put time into to master which means it will stay in my collection for longer. I’m actually mad at myself that I held off for so long. The takeaway? Don’t listen to pinsider whining. This game is WAY COOL.
6.686/10
1 year ago
I so much wanted to like this game but ended up letting it go at less than I had into it. The shots were tight but rewarding. I actually liked the shots and gameplay with that one more game feel. A lot of features for the price which should have meant a keeper. Now where did this game lose me and why did I move it out? The music is decent but the the voice work is just bad. The monotone voices are just that monotone with no highs or lows or the ability to pull you into the game. Why wouldn't you pay some voice over people to add to the experience rather than taking away from it. As time went on it became more annoying. The second thing was the poor animations and in particular the the ones from the hat with the attempt at humor that just falls flat. I love theatre of magic and expected an equal or better experience. A better effort for voice and animations had the potential to make it a very good game.
9.860/10
1 year ago
Gorgeous looking game. Also very fun to play!
8.912/10
1 year ago
Underrated game. Has a reputation for tight shots and drains. For home use, it can be tuned to avoid these types of issues. Deep ruleset, with fantastic lighting. Trunk catapult very cool. Tons of modes. A great pinball.
8.372/10
2 years ago
Rare game that I think gets beat up because not many people have played it after the updates. Great build quality, great theme integration and rule set. Very deep and fun game.
8.960/10
2 years ago
A great challenging game it can be tough but so addictive n the toys n gimmicks are great.
8.960/10
2 years ago
Owned for about 4 years now.
Absolutely a beautiful machine.
Can be tough to play but when you get on a roll it can really flow.
9.320/10
2 years ago
I recently purchased this game.

It is *DIFFICULT* and I love it.
The shots are tough, but rewarding. I am still experiencing new events as I grow as a player.
That said, the challenge isn't for everyone.

Some people will knock the animations, but I see them as a throwback to a simpler style that tries to blend new technology with an older, classic feeling.

The sounds and music are great.
The film modes are interesting and try to tie in the shot objectives with the film.
Modes stack, so there can be 5 or 6 things going on at once.
Interesting ball save modes.
Interactive LEDs are color coded to show you which objective can be achieved from that shot.

The monitor in the back glass fits perfectly in the theme, as does the mini API Grand monitor on the playfield.

The game is extremely well lit, which is great as there is much to see.

The game is amazing. It's theme may not be for everyone compared to pop culture and music licenses that are so common.
8.840/10
2 years ago
I can never help but play another game. Even on location with a partially busted flipper I couldn’t stop playing. Animations are rudimentary, but who cares when you’re playing? Sounds could have been better. Otherwise a creative, well designed game that rewards repetitive play. (The right inner loop shot to the trunk catapult gets easier and easier.) This one’s coming to my collection and I don’t see it ever leaving.
8.860/10
2 years ago
Fantastic game.
The shots are tight but fun.
I think it is one of the reasons I always want to play one more game.
The trunk shot made my jaw drop the first time I saw it and still makes me smile every time.
I find the dry sense of humour very funny.
Hearing Bazinga or Booyah when you hit a jackpot during multiball is hilarious.
The modes are varied and very deep.
I keep discovering new things each session.
Can’t see this one leaving the game room.
8.768/10
2 years ago
Quite possibly One of my top 5 favorite pins that have been released in the last 5 years. The shots are tight and challenging, very rewarding when you can hit the ramp consecutive times or the inside loop on command. The inside loop and milk can loop can definitely ruin your day, but I really enjoy this game. The game modes, multiballs, video challenges, so much to love about this game. Great art and light show. I've played about 100 games on it now and it hasn't lost a beat for me. Highly recommended
9.440/10
2 years ago
Love the steampunk theme of this game. Common feedback is that the shots are too narrow, but I still love it. Many mods available, on the list to own one some day.
8.230/10
2 years ago
Great build quality and toys and shots are fantastic. Pretty surprised how low its rated but could be because there's not many around to play. I think it needs to be in a home setting to really understand and get into the deep rules. Yes shots are kinda tight but I dont think as tight as everyone says, for a home setting I think thats better anyway.
There are 173 ratings (that include a comment) on this game. Currently showing results page 1 of 7.

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