This is the first machine that I actually owned. It was in good (but well used) barely working order but I had to do a full refurbishment on it. That’s a lot more than just shopping it out.
Sadly I had to sell it when we moved across country and have regretted it ever since. When I first got it I was a bit skeptical about it. How fun can it be to someone who only likes modern stuff? I knew I’d like it, but what about my family?
Everyone was actually surprised at how much fun Kings of Steel really is, considering it's “obsolete” by modern standards. And I do mean everyone, our friends, family, neighbors, random friends of my kids, they all put hours in on that machine, leaving me waiting fo my turn. The modern videogame consoles at the time started gathering dust.
Machines like Kings of Steel place all of the good and bad shots on the players ability,, even most outlane drains. Much like Space Shuttle, Gorgar or any other late 70’s to early 80’s pinball machine.
Kings of steel is no nonsense classic pinball with a complex rule set that constantly challenges you to beat the high score and get all the cards you need for the best bonuses. There are no ramps, no toys, and no multi-ball. Bland and boring to some, but to each their own.
I believe pinball machines need to be rated in tiers, against the competition of their era. There was a complete change in solid state game types about every 5 years until the decade long domination of the DMD machines of the 1990’s. As compared to other machines from 1980 to 1984. This stands up pretty well, although somewhat forgotten because of what was about to come out.
This was also one of the cheaper machines available at the time (budget title may be the correct term but it just sounds like it came from the shovelware videogame bin at Walmart). The high end machines of this time were starting to yell at you, while KOS received the awesome “cheap squeak” soundboard.
Art:
Beautiful! It has a blue theme with cards and pinballs all over it. The mirrored backglass has to be one of the best ever made in that time. Really no negatives here.
Design:
This is the start of the memory drop targets. Shots are smooth and flow is good. The only thing it could use is one more good gimmick, two ball multiball, a pressure target, a moving target, or a capture magnet. It’s fine as it is, but it would be remembered better if it had another stand out item. There are some famous pinball people who love it exactly how it is. Simple and incredibly hard.
Sound:
Cheap Squeak!!! This is the sound of early 1980’s pinball. Like all good machines the sound speeds up as play continues messing with your shots through psychological means. It has an alien, almost evil tone, and man is it awesome.
Funfactor and replayability:
One gameplay will score awesome, the next game is a dud. You know you can do better and you will play again and again until you do, or quit in frustration. It’s hard, it tries to cheat (sometimes), but it’s always good fun. You can shoot randomly at stuff and have a good time too. Depending on luck and skill, one game could last thirty minutes or only three. Regardless, if you like older solid state machines, you will play again and again.
Not many people have played or rated this machine making Kings of Steel a bit of a forgotten game and a hidden gem. Let’s keep it that way until I get another one!!!