Bally
World Cup Soccer Pinside Rating
This game received 617 approved Pinsider ratings and currently rates 8.091 /10
World Cup Soccer
Score breakdown
Score breakdown in the 4 main categories:
Game Design: 8.423
Artwork: 7.418
Sounds/Music: 7.591
Other Aspects: 8.363
Pinside staff rating
This is how we, the very knowledgeable (wink wink) Pinside.com staff & moderators rate this game. 9 of us have rated this game.
Found 299 ratings (with comment) on this game
There are 299 ratings (that include a comment) on this game.
Currently showing results page 1 of 12.
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8.872/10
30 days ago
Modesto, CA
I love this game, but I think without the Internet I wouldn't have been able to figure out the rules of this game. Theirs the obvious shoot down into the goal and locking for a multi ball, but after that it doesn't really explain itself. Overall a great game if you know what you're doing.
8.940/10
33 days ago
Simply so much fun to play…played it on location and I was hooked from the first GOAL! Great game to introduce anyone to pinball. The rules are intuitive and fairly deep for games of this era. Totally fresh layout from plunge to drain. I will own this one day.
7.901/10
53 days ago
It's just plain fun. I am not a fan of the dog or the theme in general but the game is easy to learn and fun for beginners or seasoned players. The moving goalie is a great feature. There are a lot of easy shots but a moving target does add to the fun. I like the sound, with the shout of "GOAL," that gets a bit more explative at times. Guests, and my wife, gravitate toward this game. It can have immediate rewards for beginners and that makes it fun for everyone.
This is a machine that needs to be maintained regularly. There are a lot of moving parts to break and a few of these things take a beating during game play. the goalie and the spinning ball are prone to problems...so be aware. There are also a lot of playfield areas that need protecting. The goalie box and out holes get marred up quickly so Cliffy protectors are strongly advised...pretty much right away.
This is a machine that needs to be maintained regularly. There are a lot of moving parts to break and a few of these things take a beating during game play. the goalie and the spinning ball are prone to problems...so be aware. There are also a lot of playfield areas that need protecting. The goalie box and out holes get marred up quickly so Cliffy protectors are strongly advised...pretty much right away.
9.284/10
3 months ago
Dog Soccer, pretty much everyone has played it, pretty much everyone loves it. I picked ine up and did a full shop and led, color dmd, and it is even better than I could have imagined after only playing tired on location ones. All I gotta say this pin is a straight up GOOOOAAAAL
8.522/10
3 months ago
This game is a blast! Such a unique pinball machine. Easy to understand and get playing. Extremely popular with new players and beginners. Great callouts by the nba jam/blitz voice actor. Great to have in any collection. GOOOAAAALLLL!!!
8.800/10
4 months ago
I cannot think of a better pin for literally anyone to drop quarters in and have a good time. The immediately recognizable need to shoot goals comes across to anyone, and I think beginners and casual players can have a great time and get long ball times just making goals all day. There is a decently lengthly process to proceed to the World Cup game, so it isn't so easy that just anyone will 'beat' the game but with generous multi balls and extra ball opportunities, everyone will get to see the fun parts of it. Bonus points for getting the NFL Blitz voice actor to do the voiceovers, it adds a real nostalgic appeal and feels of a time and era to me. I love this pin.
9.320/10
7 months ago
Perth
Found this little treasure from a guy who spent a bit of money doing her up. It plays like new and the game play flows really well and the shots are fun. Nice to pick up a machine from someone who really takes care of there pinballs.
7.902/10
8 months ago
Outside of a bit of a bland art package, in part to the chosen colors as well, the game is a total blast. The goal and the assist kick out feature just are so satisfying and hearing the GOAAALLLLL each time is just perfection. One of the most satisfying center shots of any pin. Rules overall seem simple enough, but good amount of shots and again.. GOOOAAALLLLL
8.267/10
9 months ago
This is perhaps the single best example of a sleeper pin. Most people would walk right past this pin in a lineup due to the strange back glass artwork alone. Soccer pinball? Other thing many people (in the USA) are probably not interested in. Then... then you play it!
Scoring goals in WCS94 may be one of the single most fun things in any pinball machine, ever. John P nailed his design with this pin and he sneaked in so many amazing shots and his signature style first showed in this pin. It would be hard for me to really choose what game is better, World Cup Soccer 94 or Tales of the Arabian Nights. TOTAN has the better them, amazing shots but the two games play so similar and have such a signature feel. The thing with WCS is though, scoring goals, the call-outs and the general "vibe" really sucks you into the world under the glass. The reason it shines is because, nobody expects this. Nobody!
The strange dog artwork (Striker) I do not get, but over 30 years it has become endearing to some extent. The play field artwork is much better and has a very distinct 90s look, feel and playfulness. My gripes with the game is that out of the gate its a dark play field and some of the toys don't really do anything per say. The soccer ball just spins and gets in the way but strangely enough, its fun to look at and I really wouldn't not want it there. The magna-save by the left flipper is completely pointless to me. The idea of this feature is awesome but the location is pointless. I never use it.
Overall this pin may never leave my collection because of how accessible and how fun this is. Every time people come over, they all gravitate to WCS. It's easy to play and once people score their first "GOOOOOOAAAAAALLLLLLL" they just get sucked in. This game probably deserves to be in the pinside top 25 all time in my opinion. It is so much better than so many other pins.
This is not a placebo review, this pin is amazing and I love that its a sleeper that nobody thinks about.
Scoring goals in WCS94 may be one of the single most fun things in any pinball machine, ever. John P nailed his design with this pin and he sneaked in so many amazing shots and his signature style first showed in this pin. It would be hard for me to really choose what game is better, World Cup Soccer 94 or Tales of the Arabian Nights. TOTAN has the better them, amazing shots but the two games play so similar and have such a signature feel. The thing with WCS is though, scoring goals, the call-outs and the general "vibe" really sucks you into the world under the glass. The reason it shines is because, nobody expects this. Nobody!
The strange dog artwork (Striker) I do not get, but over 30 years it has become endearing to some extent. The play field artwork is much better and has a very distinct 90s look, feel and playfulness. My gripes with the game is that out of the gate its a dark play field and some of the toys don't really do anything per say. The soccer ball just spins and gets in the way but strangely enough, its fun to look at and I really wouldn't not want it there. The magna-save by the left flipper is completely pointless to me. The idea of this feature is awesome but the location is pointless. I never use it.
Overall this pin may never leave my collection because of how accessible and how fun this is. Every time people come over, they all gravitate to WCS. It's easy to play and once people score their first "GOOOOOOAAAAAALLLLLLL" they just get sucked in. This game probably deserves to be in the pinside top 25 all time in my opinion. It is so much better than so many other pins.
This is not a placebo review, this pin is amazing and I love that its a sleeper that nobody thinks about.
8.964/10
9 months ago
Ottawa
I love this game. It's such a ball to play! (I'll see myself to the door once this review is done). Scoring a goal is always exciting and the NBA Jam announcer is awesome! It is a great theme (just wish it wasn't dated) and they used it well. Striker gets some hate but I think he's cool. The colour scheme isn't my ideal choice, though it does stand out which I can appreciate. Obviously the cabinet art is this game's main issue. The toys are cool and anyone can just jump in and have a great time.
9.387/10
10 months ago
This game is a pinhead sleeper-favorite for a reason; it does many things surprisingly well. For a pin you can purchase for ~$4k-$5k, it's a golden age classic that offers something for all skill levels.
GOOD
* Shots and layout
* Lighting effects
* Sounds/Callouts, "GOOOOAAALLL!"
* Playfield Art
* DMD Animations - the ColorDMD is really great on this one.
* Family friendly
* $leeper Price
NEUTRAL
* Code depth is about average for a 90's B/W title
* Cabinet Art
* Soccer theme (very subjective)
BAD
* Translite Art
* Plastics are prone to damage, especially around the goalie
In summary, I highly recommend owning this game if opportunity presents. The fun factor far exceeds the market price, and I wouldn't be surprised if it started to trend upward in popularity.
GOOD
* Shots and layout
* Lighting effects
* Sounds/Callouts, "GOOOOAAALLL!"
* Playfield Art
* DMD Animations - the ColorDMD is really great on this one.
* Family friendly
* $leeper Price
NEUTRAL
* Code depth is about average for a 90's B/W title
* Cabinet Art
* Soccer theme (very subjective)
BAD
* Translite Art
* Plastics are prone to damage, especially around the goalie
In summary, I highly recommend owning this game if opportunity presents. The fun factor far exceeds the market price, and I wouldn't be surprised if it started to trend upward in popularity.
8.169/10
1 year ago
For its age, I think this machine is almost perfect! I wonder how tough it is to maintain, though, because it is both old and complex, with seemingly a fair number of non-standard parts. Not as interesting as the latest and greatest machines with their gigabytes of software, music, and videos. Maybe it is time for Stern or someone to do a remake! Imagine the delight of soccer-player kids when a 2026 World Cup machine comes home!
8.043/10
1 year ago
Only played a few times at LITT formally Tilt bar in Minneapolis but it was a fun game. If someone close has a nice one let me know it would be fun to add to the collection for a little while. The most obvious thing to do is score a goal and just shoot ramps. The big soccer ball takes up so much real estate but is fun. The cabinet artwork is by far the worst thing in this pin. Next would probably be the lack of depth for better players. Im not a huge fan of clutter and this has some on the playfield. The goalie shot maybe the most fun thing I’ve seen in a pinball in a while. The ramp shots are fun never made it to the end to face Germany but I had a great time playing it off 10 minutes. This pin wins the fun achievement which is one of the most important. Fun, Layout, Depth, lighting, Sound and Artwork last.
7.929/10
1 year ago
I really have been enjoying this game having it in my collection. Amazing shots and smooth ramps. The goalie and soccer ball are some of the best toys in pinball but there are some set backs in the game. The side art is pretty poor overall compared to the playfield and translite. I also have to mention the rules. They are great for beginners but overall I think it’s a little too easy for me and I feel like I get through the game pretty easily. Theme wise I can’t hate too much as I understand theme isn’t everything but it definitely doesn’t speak to me. Overall I think it’s a amazing playing game with fun rules and shots with some minor set backs
9.318/10
1 year ago
Soooooo fun! Just got it and I'm obsessed! I get to listen to the NBA jam guy as I play!?!? What!?? Monster jam indeed! Scoring a goal is fun for me and super fun for my 4 year old and the puppy has my 1 year Olds attention. This is definitely fun for the whole family. People keep talking about the smoothness of the ramps and I didn't understand what they meant until I played this and wowwww soooo smooth. Love the game. The cabinet artwork could use some work, not really my style. And the back glass could use some work according to my wife. Love the color scheme though.
8.820/10
1 year ago
World Cup Soccer is the favorite game of nearly every pinball novice that comes to our house - the excitement of the announcer, kicking the ball in the goal, it just gets them charged up! And, this is both its strong point and weak point - it's a more casual pinball game and doesn't really have a tough wizard mode to shoot for. There is the World Cup Final which is pretty cool after going through 9 cities, but this is still pretty attainable and the objective isn't complex - just keep shooting goals. It's a Popadiuk game so it has great flow, but I can certainly understand how in the context of being a home game of a pinball enthusiast it's a little too simple but it's still an excellent machine as part of a collection.
Budapest
8.805/10
1 year ago
Bredared
This game is such great entry level game for new players and so much fun for more advanced and competitive players. Toys are one of the best and so easy to understand (who doesn't enjoy shooting a goal?). The shots are good in variety from some easier shots to some much harder (scoop end right ramp is way harder than other shots but makes it so much fun to hit them). For sure one of the best and easiest game to get into from the 90s era.
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