Bally
Party Zone Pinside Rating
This game received 156 approved Pinsider ratings and currently rates 7.505 /10
Party Zone
Score breakdown
Score breakdown in the 4 main categories:
Game Design: 7.592
Artwork: 7.564
Sounds/Music: 6.764
Other Aspects: 7.5
Pinside staff rating
This is how we, the very knowledgeable (wink wink) Pinside.com staff & moderators rate this game. 4 of us have rated this game.
Found 87 ratings (with comment) on this game
There are 87 ratings (that include a comment) on this game.
Currently showing results page 2 of 4.
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6.909/10
6 years ago
Cleveland, OH
Party zone is really striking to look at and the colors of the playfield along with the lighting are so good. I just wish it was more than a colorful game. The shots are fun. But it doesn't have enough going on in the center playfield and the gameplay falls flat after a while.
8.589/10
6 years ago
I haven't felt compelled like this to rave about a game in quite some time. I always thought this looked like a fun game over the years & might be one to own someday, but I've thought that before about other pins with even higher ratings & have been let down. I just went with my gut, & bought a super nice PZ that this guy had. I definitely overpaid a good bit if we are to believe pinside's pricing on this one, but I didn't care, I really wanted it.
This thing is a blast & continues to grow on me, my girl, & my friends love it. It is sitting next to another b/w title that is definitely higher rated & more expensive, yet it is PZ that keeps drawing us in. It has that "one more game" factor which in my world is huge.
My example is incredibly clean & finely tuned, I'm sure that helps. Ramps are clear & in nice shape, & I did color matched LED for the inserts & some nice strong frosted red LED for the red GI & the game is just stunning.
The game flows better than you would think, considering both of the ramp returns have a pit stop. That stop is quick enough though that I don't think it disrupts flow at all just speed but that isn't a bad thing. Gives you a moment to ready your next shot or consider what you need to do next.
Shots on this game just feel good to hit. The captain & his standups can be a challenge but even that shot feels great when the ball sticks in the hole nicely!
My favorite thing about this game is that not only is the layout & shot selection solid, but the rules make it so that they all have value. I've seen too many games that had cool shots in a sweet layout but they just weren't called on to be hit enough or weren't worth it. On PZ I find myself utilizing all the shots the game has to offer during each play. I don't feel restricted in what I need to do, nor do I need to think too much. I think that is what all of us are loving about this game. & I've seen it mentioned other times in these reviews. The game is somewhat mindless fun. & to me that holds incredible value!
Sometimes people knock a game for not being deep enough, but I'll be honest, I'm kinda tired of super deep games. They are a dime a dozen these days. But a DMD game that is fairly straightforward yet still engaging, challenging, & fun? Not a ton of them. I put this game right up there with Black Rose as an all time favorite from this time period. Deep is not always better folks. & lack of depth doesn't make for a dumb game either. PZ has a terrific brain in it.
& let's not forget that there is multiball & times during each game where things get a little more goal specific, so it isn't like the game lacks depth. It has enough.
Let's talk theme. It is pretty wild & dated in some ways. In fact I think it might be so dated that its actually cooler now in 2017 than it would have been in 2000. It is very unique, it is an original concept & original artwork. & again in the pantheon of all DMD games in existence, this is a rare trait & becoming more rare by the day.
I love all the color the game offers & it helps make for a good looking & beautifully lit game in the dark, & I love all the details in the artwork as well as the toys. Oh yeah, TOYS, the game has tons & are interactive. People are always floored by the fact that the captain's head follows the ball around once I point out to them that he isn't moving at random.
In closing, I'm finding this game to be a great fit in a collection where I have a couple deeper, more intense games that require a little more thinking. This game definitely has a place in today's pinball world. The only question remaining is how long will I keep this game, & how much will I miss it when it is gone. I just felt compelled to write this review between how impressed I was by it, & how underrated I found it to be.
This thing is a blast & continues to grow on me, my girl, & my friends love it. It is sitting next to another b/w title that is definitely higher rated & more expensive, yet it is PZ that keeps drawing us in. It has that "one more game" factor which in my world is huge.
My example is incredibly clean & finely tuned, I'm sure that helps. Ramps are clear & in nice shape, & I did color matched LED for the inserts & some nice strong frosted red LED for the red GI & the game is just stunning.
The game flows better than you would think, considering both of the ramp returns have a pit stop. That stop is quick enough though that I don't think it disrupts flow at all just speed but that isn't a bad thing. Gives you a moment to ready your next shot or consider what you need to do next.
Shots on this game just feel good to hit. The captain & his standups can be a challenge but even that shot feels great when the ball sticks in the hole nicely!
My favorite thing about this game is that not only is the layout & shot selection solid, but the rules make it so that they all have value. I've seen too many games that had cool shots in a sweet layout but they just weren't called on to be hit enough or weren't worth it. On PZ I find myself utilizing all the shots the game has to offer during each play. I don't feel restricted in what I need to do, nor do I need to think too much. I think that is what all of us are loving about this game. & I've seen it mentioned other times in these reviews. The game is somewhat mindless fun. & to me that holds incredible value!
Sometimes people knock a game for not being deep enough, but I'll be honest, I'm kinda tired of super deep games. They are a dime a dozen these days. But a DMD game that is fairly straightforward yet still engaging, challenging, & fun? Not a ton of them. I put this game right up there with Black Rose as an all time favorite from this time period. Deep is not always better folks. & lack of depth doesn't make for a dumb game either. PZ has a terrific brain in it.
& let's not forget that there is multiball & times during each game where things get a little more goal specific, so it isn't like the game lacks depth. It has enough.
Let's talk theme. It is pretty wild & dated in some ways. In fact I think it might be so dated that its actually cooler now in 2017 than it would have been in 2000. It is very unique, it is an original concept & original artwork. & again in the pantheon of all DMD games in existence, this is a rare trait & becoming more rare by the day.
I love all the color the game offers & it helps make for a good looking & beautifully lit game in the dark, & I love all the details in the artwork as well as the toys. Oh yeah, TOYS, the game has tons & are interactive. People are always floored by the fact that the captain's head follows the ball around once I point out to them that he isn't moving at random.
In closing, I'm finding this game to be a great fit in a collection where I have a couple deeper, more intense games that require a little more thinking. This game definitely has a place in today's pinball world. The only question remaining is how long will I keep this game, & how much will I miss it when it is gone. I just felt compelled to write this review between how impressed I was by it, & how underrated I found it to be.
9.040/10
6 years ago
Central Coast
Party Zone is the first game in my collection and the family absolutely loves it. I picked up a machine in pristine condition and it won't be going anywhere in a hurry. The game is quirky, challenging and above all, plenty of fun. It's 'Happy Hour' at any time of the day, and any day of the week. Party on!
8.752/10
6 years ago
It's a simple game for sure but I love the ramp shots and goofiness of it. Music is great. Love if you get to the end of the game all the GI goes red. First time I did that I was so surprised. Wish it more than a 2 ball multiball though.
8.472/10
7 years ago
Hamilton, ON
Great, first machine. Actually like the two ball multi ball. The cottage is not necessary, given you can get multi ball from the comic. Not the deepest rule set, but still real fun. Like that getting extra balls is relatively easy; makes for long games.
7.812/10
7 years ago
Warrington
My local arcade now has this machine i have to admit i really enjoyed playing it lots of fun wacky theme whats not to like, now admittedly these are just first impressions and i can't comment about lastability but fo a novice pinball player like myself this was right up my alley
5.616/10
7 years ago
This game plays nicely to me, despite that I think the artwork and theme and music are hideous.
6.926/10
8 years ago
Defiantly has the one more game factor, can be very brutal, very important to get multiball going, the captain is a suicide shot, better off going for it rebounding off the targets , but need to shoot him to get the multiballs going, ramps are cool but the ball is known to fall off them, when buying one make sure the ramps are in good condition because you can't find them anyware , art is really cool an vibrant, cab looks great, unfortunately most are faded , call out can get very annoying after a while, party zone is pinball on a acid trip..
7.052/10
8 years ago
Simple machine with repetitive shots. Fun theme and fun features (talking robot, lo-fi almost midibforms if party/pinball based sings such as Chicken Feet and Pinball Wizard). I recommend it but it does get a little old quick.
7.377/10
8 years ago
Biscarrosse
Fun pinball machine with good sounds and great pf artwork.
Like the game but not rules are shallow.
Like the game but not rules are shallow.
8.212/10
9 years ago
Warsaw
A game that definitely provides a great deal of fun. It's very strange not to see it in the Top 100 list...
Pros:
- fantastic toys
- colour composition is dazzling; the playfield artwork is a real Bally work of art
- surprise multiball
- enjoyable theme ("Let's party again, dude!")
- wonderful swirling ramps
- flipper-choice elements provide a nice variation to the gameplay
Cons:
- shooter lane could be a bit more interesting
- game gets a bit hectic, it's a really fast-flowing game (much like a party, though)
- animations could be a bit better considering that this is a DMD game
- quite a let down that the pop bumpers are hidden, personally I like being able to see the ball whizz between them
Pros:
- fantastic toys
- colour composition is dazzling; the playfield artwork is a real Bally work of art
- surprise multiball
- enjoyable theme ("Let's party again, dude!")
- wonderful swirling ramps
- flipper-choice elements provide a nice variation to the gameplay
Cons:
- shooter lane could be a bit more interesting
- game gets a bit hectic, it's a really fast-flowing game (much like a party, though)
- animations could be a bit better considering that this is a DMD game
- quite a let down that the pop bumpers are hidden, personally I like being able to see the ball whizz between them
7.189/10
9 years ago
More fun than i thought it would be. shots are smooth and satisfying and some of the shots go places you wouldn't expect. Love the corkscrew ramp. Theme, artwork and sound package really don't add to the overall experience IMHO. I like the shots, though. It's all about the shots.
6.085/10
9 years ago
Easy to pick up ruleset. Wasn't a big fan of the gameplay, but it has it's moments.
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