Data East

Star Wars

Pinside Rating

This game received 277 approved Pinsider ratings and currently rates 7.632 _/10

7.632

Top 100 ranking

This game ranks #159 in the Pinside Pinball Top 100.

Score breakdown

Score breakdown in the 4 main categories:

Game Design: 7.415

Artwork: 7.949

Sounds/Music: 7.453

Other Aspects: 7.7

Pinside staff rating

This is how we, the very knowledgeable (wink wink) Pinside.com staff & moderators rate this game. 5 of us have rated this game.

7.856

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Found 165 ratings (with comment) on this game

There are 165 ratings (that include a comment) on this game.
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8.558/10

7 years ago

ACG

alistaircg

Inactive member

Newbury

8y 42,300 289 1 10

It's just fun and easy to play

alistaircg has owned this game in the past.

7.538/10

7 years ago

JON

DE Star Wars, is a good game but it always feels like all the budget went into the licence and everything else was done on a "we have this much of the budget left for the game what can we get for this amount". Some great fun shots but the code is super shallow and with a licence like Star Wars should have been so much more, but it was my first pin and for that reason alone I love it as it got me into the hobby as I am sure it did a lot of others, a fun game and a must play just not a keeper.

8.776/10

7 years ago

DDK

davkonw

Pinside member

8y 39,900 19 25

It's Star Wars ...... what else do you need to know. The game play , shoot the death star then shoot the death star and then well you get it. I wish i had it still. The new code might help the play i didn't have it then.

3.278/10

7 years ago

GPS

onetaste

Pinside member

Adelaide Hills

10y 63,650 142 23 114

Very one dimensional game, pound the death star for MB and then shoot jackpots. The death star shot is not very satisfying so this game is a huge disappointment.

3 Pinsiders flagged this.

7.716/10

7 years ago

ROB

aerobert

Inactive member

8y 57,800 489 2 57

Love this game, it's star wars after all. The PF artwork is gorgeous. One of the best looking Data East machines, if not the best. However, since it's Data East, the sound quality is poor. This game should always have the pinsound upgrade. And the custom reprogrammed rules that makes it a lot better (get the updated ones for Jurassic Park too!) I want this in my collection!

aerobert edited previous rating on January 31, 2018.

7.874/10

7 years ago

???

CurtisB

Inactive member

Jackson, TN

7y 10,250 3 6 6

Play is excellent with the updated chip.. Without it, not so much....

CurtisB currently owns this game.

8.456/10

7 years ago

ALC

comment23

Pinball Workshop

8y 67,550 595 1 9

Just like in JP, you need to get ChadH's code update for Star Wars. Once you have that installed, this game really comes back to life and fixes a lot of scoring/rules issues with the game.

As for play, it's probably one of the top 3 best produced Data East games and very desirable to all different types of collectors.

comment23 has owned this game in the past.

10.000/10

7 years ago

???

Szuzho

Pinside member

Budapest

7y 17,000 5 8

I highly recommend this pinball for everyone. Great theme and great game.

Szuzho currently owns this game.

7.628/10

7 years ago

MAR

mpimenta

Inactive member

Brisbane City

7y 9,750 1 6

I really liked this game and would seriously consider including in my collection. I am a Star Wars fan and the theme works very well on this machine. I think the artwork of the playfield and backglass could be better though. Almost forgetting to say: the sound track is awesome!

9.240/10

7 years ago

BMK

noiseprisoner

Pinside member

8y 32,650 37 6 10

Fantastic Star Wars experience in a pinball game. Great animations, sound, artwork, and layout. The skill shots are fun and there a lot of variation in game modes. A very fun and exciting game!

noiseprisoner has this game on the wishlist.

6.068/10

7 years ago

PAS

sebess

Pinside member

Nocatee, FL

10y 30,150 35 16

Nice game, music get a bit repeating after a while

sebess has owned this game in the past.

1.465/10

8 years ago

???

mazzzulatoro

Inactive member

Riccione

12y 19,000 56

Bad pinball like almost all the Date east

2 Pinsiders flagged this.

7.507/10

8 years ago

TBK

xTheBlackKnightx

Pinside member

8y 128K 4,097 137

"Death Star approaching..."

Everybody seems to have played this machine at least once in their lifetime.
Most non pinheads say, "but do you own a Star Wars"?
I just start laughing.
Hopping A2 D2, spiral Tie Fighter ramp, rotating Death Star with the BIG yellow rectangular target, and Jabbas and Force "gobble holes".

Auto Plunger handle with the button is fun.
Darth Vader plastic flimsy topper is alright, but a voice changing mask is better (and cheaper).
Playfield artwork is good, classic Data East for the times.
Translite is iconic.
Cabinet artwork is good.
Lighting is a$$.
Sound clips are EXCELLENT for the shots (but repetitive, "Shoot the Death Star!")
Understanding what shots are supposed to be made is pretty clear...
Music is average, and is the typical recycled Data East tunes with a SW theme.
Ruleset is practically non-existent.
Shoot the Tie Fighter Ramp until you get bored for decided to go for ramp champion.
Playfield shots are very tight for loops.
If you completely suck at the game, wait for the third ball after letting the first two drain quickly, and depend on operator setting, you will see multiball anyway.
YAY!
The multiball wind up and animations is probably the best part of the game.
The game needs more Boba Fett action instead of him just flying around on the DMD screen and one action shot.

Basically, if you are a Star Wars nut, you will really like the game.
As a pinball machine design is above average mostly for iconic use of the theme license.
PinSound REALLY improved this machine overall.
The anniversary roms balanced out the game, but it won't fix a 24 year old design.
This is essentially why I rated the game higher than a 7+.
Without the new EPROMS it is a 6.8 at best.

Don't mod this game with cheap new Star Wars Walmart toys, nerds (who generally rate this game 9+), it makes this game look worse beyond imagination.
Markus Rothkranz just laughs at you.
It is like jerking off on the playfield and covering up the decent artwork.

"Choose wisely you must" and "do or do not" try to spend an absurd amount of money on this machine.
Yoda will otherwise scold you for your pinball wisdom incompetence.

xTheBlackKnightx edited previous rating on February 21, 2016.

8.552/10

8 years ago

DDH

ImGoing4Broke

Pinside member

Montevideo, MN

8y 37,400 5 15 26

I've owned DE Star Wars for a couple of months…..and now that the honeymoon is over I feel I can make an honest ranking.

Data East Star Wars is an overall nice machine. My older guests (over 40) gravitate to this machine & with the new movie out the under 40 do also.

Data East nailed the theme with this one. The rotating Death Star with drop open target ( Luke's kill shot in Star Wars A New Hope ) to a spinning & jumping to the music R2D2 are well done.
The moving pop bumpers are an unexpected feature in this game. At first play they seemed "clunky" but when matched to the DMD mode of the clunky AT-AT walkers it all makes sense….Nice touch DE!!!

It seems to me that DE machines have a lot of lighting in them….probably because of the low light produced by standard bulbs and DE was looking for a punch.
For this reason DE machines really spring to life with a well thought out set of LEDs.
The strobe affect during "Shoot the death star! " for multiball with LEDs is blinding & adds both hurry up and difficulty factor to the relatively easy Death Star Shot.

I have to admit…I'm into Modding games and if you are too then Star Wars think toys….mods….Wal Mart, Kmart, Toys R Us, etc, etc, etc….

As with most Data East machines there aren’t a lot of shots in this game. Many Pinheads describe them as "One Shot Wonders" & Star Wars probably falls under this heading.
That said….I still feel that this game is a great play and well executed. Sure there are things that could be better…but isn't that true with all pinballs?

DE Star Wars is here to stay in my collection…for several reasons, One: Theme (I'm a huge SW fan), Two: It’s a fun play, Three: Lighting, Four: Sound, Fifth: Toys & Mods, and Last but not least:…Its a pinball machine! ! !

Would I own one? Yes…and I do

ImGoing4Broke edited previous rating on January 28, 2016.
ImGoing4Broke currently owns this game.

8.040/10

8 years ago

JAM

jroakland

Pinside member

Oakland, CA

13y 60,050 106 7 111

i have played this game on locations when it was released and till about 2000, i find that this D.E pin is the best star wars themed pin out there...r2d2 is sweet ,death star center shot for jack pot("shoot the death star") very rewarding, nice flow,simple play,not much too it,nice to look at... im not big on star wars but dnt hate it, i would like to own this one but the price keeps goin up fast and i feel the game play isnt worth the price but wont pass up a chance to play one on location which wont happen cause star wars fanatics probly have bought them up ..i cant find one to play anymore!! so sad cause i realy liked it,probly a keeper for me at the right fair price.. not!! cause its not a fair price these days.

8.236/10

8 years ago

JAY

jyeakley

Pinside+ Frequent

13y 115K 1,416 73

Based on the anniversary Roms.

jyeakley edited previous rating on November 02, 2016.

7.025/10

8 years ago

AGB

Ramtuathal

Pinside member

Louisville, KY

8y 63,650 123 1 148

Data East's '92 Star Wars is somewhat of an anomaly for me. There are a few features that I really enjoy about the game, but, overall, the game is really substandard. I like the TIE fighter skill shot, the rotating Death Star, and the R2-D2 pop bumpers. Also, the game has a at least one somewhat challenging shot and starting a "Tri-ball" multi-ball off Death Star hits is easy (almost too easy). However, the game lacks depth and interesting modes. It is super pretty to look at, and the DMD vids are appropriate and fun. (It is lacking an appearance of Boba Fett though).

Any hardcore Star Wars IP fans will want this awesome-looking machine in their collection, but don't plan on getting hours of exciting play out of the decoration.

Ramtuathal edited previous rating on January 28, 2017.

8.331/10

8 years ago

LG

Guppy1977

Pinside member

11y 30,900 30 6 12

Very fun game, it fits well to the theme, gameplay is quite simple but always rewarding and fun. Not a difficult pin. With the 20th anniversary rom, the gameplay (i.e. ramp) is more balanced and the Freeze (shootagain when the ball drains too quickly) eventually works fine. It would be perfect for me with real music from the movies, it's possible with the Pinsound card and I'll certainly give a try to this add some day, just for the pleasure to hear the original soundtrack when I'm playing. The only complain, it's quickly getting old if you're looking for a deep ruleset and challenge. If you just want to have fun and love the theme, this DE could be a keeper for you. May the Force be with you.

Guppy1977 edited previous rating on December 17, 2022.
Guppy1977 has owned this game in the past.

8.897/10

8 years ago

DOT

thewild

Inactive member

Zürich

8y 18,250 2 7

This game is underrated, maybe because it is not a Williams, i don't know. I'm a Williams Fan, but have to say, that this Pin rocks from the gameplay perspective. Of course there are some negative Points, such as a much too dark playfield artwork which keeps you busy seeing the ball. But with LED's installed it is much better, also the Backglass is much better with LED's. Also the know Sound Problem (noise) is annoying, but you get used to it after a while :-)
But over all i like that Pin and would buy one, but a firend of mine does have one in our room

9.860/10

8 years ago

KEZ

KBRI1700

Inactive member

Canberra

10y 34,050 150 3 9

Great theme and with the new code it is no longer a ramp monster.

KBRI1700 edited previous rating on July 11, 2016.
KBRI1700 currently owns this game.

9.640/10

8 years ago

CRG

UofG2000

Inactive member

Guelph, ON

9y 45,150 87 6 20

I like Stars Wars so I may be biased towards this game. Shooting the tie fighter at launch and the stromtroopers during play are all cool additions. Amazing, would love to own.

UofG2000 has this game on the wishlist.

7.624/10

8 years ago

KL

knockerlover

Pinside+ Frequent

9y 126K 2,002 39 1

When I first walked up to this game I thought, dang that is a lot of toys for the time period. It could have been the game that I played, but it felt a little clunky and was hard to get into a rhythm. If I were to buy one, it would likely be because of the theme, less because of the game itself.

7.460/10

8 years ago

DOO

Doodbird

Inactive member

Easley, SC

11y 47,650 23 32

I have been able to put several games on this table lately. This machine has the old ruleset, and it is a bit of a "one shot wonder" with the ramp. There are several challenging shots, but I think that the scoring is a bit out of whack. Maybe the new code will solve my dislikes.

5.907/10

8 years ago

JJ

Hoopjohn

Inactive member

Eagle River, WI

12y 52,400 495 4 32

DESW didn't do much for me. Even with the upgraded ROM, I thought it was a very very over rated pin. The music is great and the DMD animations are great, but thats about it. For my $.02 worth, you'd better be a hardcore Star Wars fan to even think about buying this one.
Just thought the game play was weak.

Hoopjohn has owned this game in the past.

7.892/10

9 years ago

SDC

Archytas

Pinside member

Kettering

10y 76,150 285 1 152

One of the few Data East titles I would look at owning, love the theme so that is an instant winner. Only downside is the sound is a little poor and I'm not sure I like the 'remix' of the Star Wars theme. Has some cool toys, love the Death Star and R2-D2 that bops up and down. Nice release from Data East.

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There are 165 ratings (that include a comment) on this game. Currently showing results page 3 of 7.

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