Bally
Twilight Zone Pinside Rating
This game received 1584 approved Pinsider ratings and currently rates 8.726 /10
Twilight Zone
Score breakdown
Score breakdown in the 4 main categories:
Game Design: 8.919
Artwork: 8.699
Sounds/Music: 8.202
Other Aspects: 8.779
Pinside staff rating
This is how we, the very knowledgeable (wink wink) Pinside.com staff & moderators rate this game. 10 of us have rated this game.
Found 912 ratings (with comment) on this game
There are 912 ratings (that include a comment) on this game.
Currently showing results page 6 of 37.
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Newport Beach, CA
8.996/10
3 years ago
One of my top 10 favorite games to play.lots of stuff going on.jam packed with all kinds of things you'll never see on any other PIN . Keep in mind that it's almost 30 years old,still one of the best.
Wien
Ablancourt
9.600/10
3 years ago
This game is bolted to the floor at my house. As a collector you owe it to yourself to own one of these. Every time I play, I marvel at all the shots, modes, innovations for the time of the game. This game even had my son and I going back to watch old TZ episodes that are represented in the game.
As an arcade owner, it seems overly complex for the casual player and certainly tougher to maintain. That coupled with cost, make it a tough game to route.
I have read that they allowed the Lawlor team "poetic license" to do whatever they wanted with this game, and that was admittedly a mistake when the game came out for cost (Bally) and operators. However, there is a reason this a grail game for collectors.
Pros - Multiple modes, multiple balls, toys, shots (4 flippers), upper playfield, gumboil machine (power ball), magnets . . . so many innovations for its time
Cons - Hard to think of many (perhaps skill shot and ball coming out of lower pops). Perhaps the Golden Earring tune can get a bit old (but is it a Pro?)
As an arcade owner, it seems overly complex for the casual player and certainly tougher to maintain. That coupled with cost, make it a tough game to route.
I have read that they allowed the Lawlor team "poetic license" to do whatever they wanted with this game, and that was admittedly a mistake when the game came out for cost (Bally) and operators. However, there is a reason this a grail game for collectors.
Pros - Multiple modes, multiple balls, toys, shots (4 flippers), upper playfield, gumboil machine (power ball), magnets . . . so many innovations for its time
Cons - Hard to think of many (perhaps skill shot and ball coming out of lower pops). Perhaps the Golden Earring tune can get a bit old (but is it a Pro?)
Gouda
9.840/10
3 years ago
Buenos Aires
At first I really don't feel about the theme and I found the sound effects a bit annoying.. But as give a time playing and understanding the rule sets. Now I think that this is perhaps the best pinball of the last century.. I think that only some JJP could be over this machine. It's awesome. It worth any bulk you spend on it
9.840/10
3 years ago
Top Five Game and another Pat Lawlor classic. Builds on the success of The Addams Family; Lawlor really pulled out all the stops on this one.
Each mode is fun. Always a thrill to defeat the Power with those invisible magnet “flippers.” Getting to Lost In The Zone for the first time had me fist pumping for a solid minute. My only disappointment with the pin was discovering the “don’t touch the door” callout was not based on an episode.
Each mode is fun. Always a thrill to defeat the Power with those invisible magnet “flippers.” Getting to Lost In The Zone for the first time had me fist pumping for a solid minute. My only disappointment with the pin was discovering the “don’t touch the door” callout was not based on an episode.
8.780/10
3 years ago
TZ. The follow-up to Pat Lawlor’s best-selling TAF. The story is well-known in the pinball world, Bally gave Lawlor a free hand and big budget to take this dream theme and do pretty much anything he wanted. The result is a mechanically complex game that does a good job of expressing the TZ universe, maybe not quite as well as TAF did. A widebody with 4 flippers, several magnets, clever mechs and toys, an upper pf and cool skill shot. The rules, completing the door panels to reach “Lost in the Zone” wizard mode, are well done. Not especially deep, but adequate for the early 90’s. The unique shots and flow make this one stand out. There is plenty to discover and explore. It’s a fun shooter and tricky at first. Really plays and feels different than anything else out there. Once you get the hang of where the shots are, this game comes alive. Deserving of its reputation and ranking.
10.000/10
3 years ago
I've probably spent 30+ hours playing this title at various locations. I'm trying to come up with a single thing I dislike about this pinball machine to no avail. Without question my favorite Pin. Holy Grail, Mona Lisa, Perfect 10, Golden Goose..... etc.
Toronto, ON
Zaragoza
9.640/10
3 years ago
London
For me it is the best machine of its time period. The first time I played this game it left an instant impression - I was amazed by how many fun and unique toys Pat Lawlor threw into this machine. They are also quite tricky - the power playfield, the powerball, the gumball the piano shot- all good fun. You can see why this machine has the record for the most patent applications.
I never played it very much when it came out but having recently bought a working machine - I have to say it is addictive. The ball flows well - throughout the various features and there is enough variety and randomness to force you to keep attention and use a range of ball control shots - the slot machine is very tricky - throughout the game the ball is frequently ejected and it will punish you if you lose concentration.
The sequence of ramp shots is of medium difficulty and misses are not too unforgiving - the lock shot is one of the most difficult I have come across - and very rewarding when you get it.
My first impressions of the music - I didn't like it - it doesn't seem to tie in to the TV show but it turns out the backing track is very addictive - and I found myself humming it hours after playing. The music after getting Jackpot is a real great ride!
The multi ball is well crafted - it is possible to pile up all except one of the balls upon one flipper and with perfect timing work the necessary shots for the Jackpot with the other. I need to play a lot more to try and figure out the rationale for 5 balls - maybe I am very old fashioned but 3 is enough for me.
The Twilight Zone theme is really done well - some modern machines are almost all in black and white and I wonder whether the backglass would be better like that. Saying that I have replaced all of my bulbs with LEDs and this is a must, looks great and saves the powerboard from stress, you can also do some nice colour customisations.
Negatives
The mechanical weaknesses of the clock are well known but there are upgrades - unfortunately it appears to be a matter of when it will fail.
However the machine is surprisingly reliable and this is one machine I will not be selling!
I never played it very much when it came out but having recently bought a working machine - I have to say it is addictive. The ball flows well - throughout the various features and there is enough variety and randomness to force you to keep attention and use a range of ball control shots - the slot machine is very tricky - throughout the game the ball is frequently ejected and it will punish you if you lose concentration.
The sequence of ramp shots is of medium difficulty and misses are not too unforgiving - the lock shot is one of the most difficult I have come across - and very rewarding when you get it.
My first impressions of the music - I didn't like it - it doesn't seem to tie in to the TV show but it turns out the backing track is very addictive - and I found myself humming it hours after playing. The music after getting Jackpot is a real great ride!
The multi ball is well crafted - it is possible to pile up all except one of the balls upon one flipper and with perfect timing work the necessary shots for the Jackpot with the other. I need to play a lot more to try and figure out the rationale for 5 balls - maybe I am very old fashioned but 3 is enough for me.
The Twilight Zone theme is really done well - some modern machines are almost all in black and white and I wonder whether the backglass would be better like that. Saying that I have replaced all of my bulbs with LEDs and this is a must, looks great and saves the powerboard from stress, you can also do some nice colour customisations.
Negatives
The mechanical weaknesses of the clock are well known but there are upgrades - unfortunately it appears to be a matter of when it will fail.
However the machine is surprisingly reliable and this is one machine I will not be selling!
9.100/10
3 years ago
Melbourne
TZ is an all time classic master piece. The PF artwork and colour, along with all the PF toys and different modes truly encapulates the Twilight Zone. The variety of shots with 4 flippers, the powerball and magnetic flippers on the mini-PF create a truly fun game to play that has held the test of time.
Definitely one of my all time favourites
Definitely one of my all time favourites
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