Data East
The Who's Tommy Pinball Wizard Pinside Rating
This game received 233 approved Pinsider ratings and currently rates 7.744 /10
The Who's Tommy Pinball Wizard
Score breakdown
Score breakdown in the 4 main categories:
Game Design: 7.91
Artwork: 7.402
Sounds/Music: 7.449
Other Aspects: 7.726
Pinside staff rating
This is how we, the very knowledgeable (wink wink) Pinside.com staff & moderators rate this game. 7 of us have rated this game.
Found 116 ratings (with comment) on this game
There are 116 ratings (that include a comment) on this game.
Currently showing results page 2 of 5.
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Warren, PA
Calgary, AB
7.950/10
6 years ago
I owned this game for many years and then stupidly sold it. It is actually a fantastic machine. It includes so many way cool thematic elements that it stays entertaining for a long time. It is not a dark war-like theme which is refreshing and very family friendly. It has scooters, airplanes, captive balls, and a retracting mirror that makes a cool metallic "ting" when hit. There are even blinders that cover the flippers during Tommy mode. The broadway translite is way better than the stock one. I changed mine out early on. Then it was perfect. On the downside, the electronics had an overheating problem and frequently burned out chips and transistors. Still, I wouldn't be deterred to own it again.
7.951/10
6 years ago
I remember many a day in my teens playing this game. So when I got back into pinball it was on my must have list. After playing a couple at Expos I realized just how tough the game is. I came across one last year and added to my basement. With the unofficial 5.0 code it's amazing. Balanced scoring for the really tough call outs, and the blinders come into play more often. DE has struggled with their "buzz" and this one is no exception due to bad grounding. The lighting (I am still tweaking mine) is fantastic and the call outs are easy to find/see. The build and outlanes make this game tougher than I remembered. Mine is incredibly fast with fresh wax and even on a bad game, I keep coming back for more. The theme and music are not for everyone, and to some it gets old. But for me, this one will never leave the house and I will keep pursuing the Pinball Wizard.
9.600/10
6 years ago
Tommy is a fun game that everyone in my family likes to play. I love The Who, so a pin based on the rock opera was always going to attract me. The game has a great flow, and every game is different due to the array of game modes/story lines. The quality of the sound is pretty low res, but add a sub and you will love it. Pop bumpers, ramps, video mode, skill shots, and a color DMD option. It has it all, and I will never sell mine.
Easy to add a Nvram, so no more batteries. Cliffys are available to protect the playfield.
Be a pinball wizard like Tommy!
Easy to add a Nvram, so no more batteries. Cliffys are available to protect the playfield.
Be a pinball wizard like Tommy!
7.561/10
6 years ago
Tommy is one of Data East's better games and it's not bad at all. There are lots of modes to play through and the dmd animations are quite good. The shots are fun and the rules are like any other mode-centric game, similar to Addams Family. The sound quality is quite low like other Data East games but it doesn't bother me much. Fun pin with a good variety in modes, a good theme, and fun shots.
7.752/10
6 years ago
Tommy is a great pinball that will suit the novice to the expert. It has enough of the WOW factors to keep your attention. The mini challenges, as well as the sound are top notch. However, some of the callouts do become repetitive.
Good flow of gameplay make this one a keeper. Also, the"blindfolds" that block the player's view of the flippers is fun. Makes it a bit challenging. The mirror is another cool feature too. One of Data East's best!
Good flow of gameplay make this one a keeper. Also, the"blindfolds" that block the player's view of the flippers is fun. Makes it a bit challenging. The mirror is another cool feature too. One of Data East's best!
9.900/10
6 years ago
What do the following games have in common?
Frontier
Barracora
Medusa
Flash Gordon
Centaur
Fathom
They are all ranked ahead of Tommy on Pinside.
I think that speaks volumes as far as the rankings are concerned.
Come play my Tommy all LED'd up nicely, with a perfect PF , blinders, switches, mirror...
and tell me it isn't a great game.
Oh then if you add a color DMD and a PInSound board with Studio Recordings by THe WHo - Julian Reorchestration file...
update the ROM's for updated scoring...
And this PIN elevates out of the Stratosphere...especially if you're a fan of the band.
Frontier
Barracora
Medusa
Flash Gordon
Centaur
Fathom
They are all ranked ahead of Tommy on Pinside.
I think that speaks volumes as far as the rankings are concerned.
Come play my Tommy all LED'd up nicely, with a perfect PF , blinders, switches, mirror...
and tell me it isn't a great game.
Oh then if you add a color DMD and a PInSound board with Studio Recordings by THe WHo - Julian Reorchestration file...
update the ROM's for updated scoring...
And this PIN elevates out of the Stratosphere...especially if you're a fan of the band.
Melbourne
5.049/10
7 years ago
For a game that should be one of the best in the world (in proportion to the ubiquitous and fame of the Pinball Wizard song from the freaky rock Opera "Tommy"), this game is the pits. The shots are super-clunky, and most of the mirror / gobble hole action on the upper PF is occluded from the player. And then there's the most annoying call outs on a machine since the "uh uh uh uh"' s of Xenon. "HOLIDAY DARLING!" and "READ ALL ABOUT IT, EXTRA BALL EXTRA BALL!!!!!" are so repetitive that I want to turn the sound off - which is extremely sad because this table is dedicated to a Rock Opera!
The one cool thing about this machine is that "blindfolds" that block the player's view of the flippers can be activated (they slide out of the apron) either by normal game play or by holding the lower button when hitting the start button. Sure, that is a fun gimmick, but I can do that with a towel, so even that feature can't save this game from a devastatingly bad rating. Booooo!
The one cool thing about this machine is that "blindfolds" that block the player's view of the flippers can be activated (they slide out of the apron) either by normal game play or by holding the lower button when hitting the start button. Sure, that is a fun gimmick, but I can do that with a towel, so even that feature can't save this game from a devastatingly bad rating. Booooo!
9.060/10
7 years ago
This is the oldest machine I own. I tracked it down for a while and find it extremely addictive. Early example of LFS' code work and his future brilliance is there if you look for it. The new, better balanced scoring ROM is a nice upgrade.
7.932/10
7 years ago
This game feels like it is younger and is in many ways a worthy namesake for Tommy, and it is very "meta" of course in that it is a pinball about pinball in which your pinball emulates the pinball player who ... you get the idea. This machine would be at the top of the charts but for one thing: its theme tie-in to the musical vs to the Who. Nobody wants to hear the Broadway rendition of these songs and frankly the feel of the machine needs to be darker to go with the awesome shots and speed of the game play. Really rewards a good player.
8.776/10
7 years ago
I just slapped in Chad's new code and also the Color DMD and it made this really good game great! I really like the Who so maybe I am biased a bit, but the blinders coupled with the dropping mirror and propellers are some pretty nice features on the game. The skill shot is crazy tough for me, maybe I need a better plunger/spring though. The mirrored pinball topper with Tommy written on top of the backbox is a cool touch. I agree that some of those outlanes are frustrating as the ball always seems to find them regardless how level the game is. The CPT Walker video mode sucks but it is better with the new code. Also the scoring is a bit more balanced now too. If you have a Who fan in the house they will love this game even though it is based off the musical - kind of a weird creepy kind of play in my opinion. Especially when you hit the jackpot and there are some psycho clowns with balloons grinning you down. It is even creepier when you have had a bit to drink, or some funny mushrooms, with the colored display. Give it a go!
9.460/10
7 years ago
This game looks great and is addictive. At first, I wasn't sure about it, but now that I have had it for a few months, it is one of my favorite games. I have never seen the movie or play, so it's tough to say whether the pinball machine does it justice. I love the layout, sounds, game play and variety. It is also by far the coolest looking game in my collection.
7.527/10
8 years ago
I loved the DMD animations. I liked the music and thought it was a solid game but it bored me a bit. Solid game but do not think it will be a keeper.
6.340/10
8 years ago
Would be great if it was actually the Who and not the Broadway show! Sound is a little weak as normal for Data East Games. Blind Cover is a great gimmick and plenty of different modes to play. Topper is simple, yet fun (silver ball)
9.352/10
8 years ago
Easily my favorite game of all time. It combines the many different shots and toys for every kind of player. The blinders are some of the best toys in all of pinball, the soundtrack is perfect, and the art is spot on. Tommy is a game with tons of different strategies, and a Pin that brings back memories.
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