Gottlieb
Surfer Pinside Rating
This game received 33 approved Pinsider ratings and currently rates 8.194 /10
Surfer
Score breakdown
Score breakdown in the 4 main categories:
Game Design: 8.158
Artwork: 8.421
Sounds/Music: 4.765
Other Aspects: 8.264
Pinside staff rating
None of the Pinside.com staff have rated this game. Sorry, no rating from us.
Found 12 ratings (with comment) on this game
There are 12 ratings (that include a comment) on this game.
Currently showing results page 1 of 1.
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9.239/10
34 days ago
Henderson, NV
One of my favorite pinball machines. Love the unique use of the rollovers and the way they are combined with the drop targets to enhance available awards. Prefer this two player version over the four player Surf Champ (easier to maintain), but both are equally fun to play and have that "one more game" feel even though it is quite challenging to end up with a satisfying score. Does a great job of blending most of the best features of Gottlieb's history of great EM pinball designs. Ed Krynski was an amazing designer of EM and early SS machines (designed hundreds of machines), and this is one of his best.
10.000/10
11 months ago
What can I say. This is my second EM and I’m loving it. This one has it all. Roll overs,drops,kick out hole and a killer center spinner. The back glass is absolutely beautiful. I was lucky enough to get one that was a Gottliebs executives personal game. It’s spectacular and plays flawlessly. A very fun game to shoot and you can use a few different strategies to maximize points. Did I mention the center spinner. Sooo cool! Very fun to shoot or just turn it on and bask in its glory. Definitely more challenging than my C37 but that’s okay. Love that’s it’s two player. So many different things to accomplish it will keep you coming back for more. Surfer is really the whole package. If you can find a nice one grab it and enjoy it.
9.720/10
3 years ago
Ottawa, ON
An enjoyable game to play and look at, I previously owned a Surfer but unfortunately had to sell it, hoping one day to pickup another if I can find one in nice shape, this game is a shooters pinball, hard to get the 5 drop targets, difficult to get the kickout hole when it is lit up after achieving all rollovers for added bonus scoring, hard game to achieve high scores, it is a pinball you just need to keep playing to get that better score, Just a Great game!
7.684/10
3 years ago
Full disclosure, I tend to favor early 80s Solid State machines.
Having said that, I've found Surfer to be a joy to play -- even if it is an EM! :)
It has the big three that I like a pin to offer: a spinner, drop targets, and a kickout. Add a couple pop bumpers and a few extra lanes here and there to the playfield and it all adds up to a lively bit of pin playing fun. Even though other games may have the same parts and pieces there is something that works for me in how Surfer is laid out. The colors are bright and vibrant -- the playfield is pleasing to look at even if I'm not into water sports.
A quality pin that I'd probably prefer to own over many other games. . . even some of those early Solid States!
Having said that, I've found Surfer to be a joy to play -- even if it is an EM! :)
It has the big three that I like a pin to offer: a spinner, drop targets, and a kickout. Add a couple pop bumpers and a few extra lanes here and there to the playfield and it all adds up to a lively bit of pin playing fun. Even though other games may have the same parts and pieces there is something that works for me in how Surfer is laid out. The colors are bright and vibrant -- the playfield is pleasing to look at even if I'm not into water sports.
A quality pin that I'd probably prefer to own over many other games. . . even some of those early Solid States!
8.692/10
3 years ago
Surfer (GTB) is just a good fun game. Tough to get the upper targets with the spinner and the Pops in the way, but doable. Partial to the theme as my Son is a surfer (so it's really his game later...)
Strange that both Pop Bumpers trigger at the same time, but I guess that was Gottlieb saving money at the time.
Great art, theme, cabinet, and can play this over and over again. Prefer this over Surf Champ, but then again, I lean towards Wedgeheads!
Strange that both Pop Bumpers trigger at the same time, but I guess that was Gottlieb saving money at the time.
Great art, theme, cabinet, and can play this over and over again. Prefer this over Surf Champ, but then again, I lean towards Wedgeheads!
8.769/10
5 years ago
Surfer and Surf Champ are such a great players! I'm a wedgehead lover and although she's a multi player, she's a special Gottlieb pin.
First of all, she's pretty. I love the whole package on both games but the backglass is better on Surfer of course. A few too many words on playfield explaining point value is my only complaint but Gottlieb did that a lot for some reason (that's what the cards were for dudes).
The game design is unique and well thought out. The way the drops and rollovers work together is smart and fun and the spinner location is important in making the drops more challenging.
The flow you get with the deep side lanes and open playfield. When you play play a cherry one you get a fast flow/ball control balance not found in many EM pins.
Getting the ball to kick off the small left sling just right and glide across all 5 rollovers at once is sweetness!
Surfer and Surf Champ are my favorite '70's multi players!
First of all, she's pretty. I love the whole package on both games but the backglass is better on Surfer of course. A few too many words on playfield explaining point value is my only complaint but Gottlieb did that a lot for some reason (that's what the cards were for dudes).
The game design is unique and well thought out. The way the drops and rollovers work together is smart and fun and the spinner location is important in making the drops more challenging.
The flow you get with the deep side lanes and open playfield. When you play play a cherry one you get a fast flow/ball control balance not found in many EM pins.
Getting the ball to kick off the small left sling just right and glide across all 5 rollovers at once is sweetness!
Surfer and Surf Champ are my favorite '70's multi players!
8.961/10
6 years ago
Coolangatta
I played this as a kid and this is my favourite of all the electromechanical machines that I've ever played and owned. It has an awesome theme and the colours and artwork really pop. The playfield is beautiful as is the backglass and the placement of spinner, bumpers, lanes and targets is spot on for smooth and fast gameplay (especially if you increase the playfield angle). I prefer the two player Gottlieb's over the wedgies because it's nice to vs someone else and I like the mechanical chatter of these on startup. Oh, and being the last of the Gottlieb em's it has a decent door and coin entry plate that don't rust away!
7.912/10
7 years ago
As with many multi-player EMs, single ball games are hit or miss. A great (lucky) ball followed by 2 drains makes for frustrating play. Gap between flippers is huge. Outlanes are greedy. Great art package, just wish there were more skill involved, not just luck. As a decent player, I find games like Lucky Hand much more satisfying. Atlantis can be brutal, but good shots are more often rewarded with a break through game. Games that never reward skill won't last long in my collection.
7.915/10
10 years ago
A great looking backglass, that is also matched by a nice looking playfield and cabinet art. As with many EMs, the rule-set is shallow, but that doesn't make the game easy. Hitting those pesky star roller-overs is much easier said then done. A combination of frustration and sure enjoyment depending on how Surfer is treating you on the day.
8.437/10
12 years ago
i played this game alot as a kid with my dad. when em pins were still made gottlieb was the kingpin and this was one of their best. if you get the chance to play a surfer or surf champ(4 player version), do it its old school pinball at its finest.
There are 12 ratings (that include a comment) on this game. Currently showing results page 1 of 1.
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