Chicoman's ratings

Pinsider Chicoman has rated 20 machines.

This page shows all all these ratings, and forms Chicoman's personal top 20.


Rating comments

Chicoman has written 20 rating comments:


8.504/10
2 years ago
The 3rd installment of Elvira and it's a theme I really enjoy and I love the campiness of the game and the movie clips themselves. It feels like a real life cheesey late night Elvira on your TV show but your playing pinball. It's a great 2 flipper game and definitely one of the best recent Stern pins we've seen....right up there with Deadpool & Godzilla as perhaps the best they've done. The shots are really satisfying....definitely one I'd like to add to my collection someday.
8.884/10
2 years ago
Twilight Zone is a classic Top 10 All-Time pinball machine. Another great WIDE Body pinball just like Indiana Jones. The mini-playfield and the Powerball are nice touches that really add to theme & mystique of the pinball machine. A fun 4 flipper pinball machine with plenty of shots to keep your interest for a long, long time. This is one of Pat Lawlor's greatest pinball machines. So much fun. If you own one consider yourself lucky.....it really is one of the All-Time best!
8.104/10
2 years ago
I'm sure I'm in the minority here but there are issues with this pinball machine and I'll start with the layout. It's too crowded and the flow of the game and the shots are not satifying. The game is unbalanced in terms of ruleset and code....You earn Multiball after Multiball all for doing nothing....they just keep coming and coming.....it actually gets frustrating and really makes you just want to end the game and walk away without even finishing the game. JJP needs to fix that....or have an Easy Mode & Normal Mode to start the game. It's a beautiful looking pinball machine but the gameplay leaves alot to be desired and in typical JJP fashion....the flow is KLUNKY at best! A nice attempt but this game really falls short of being a quality pinball machine.

Don't even get me started on the playfield issues which is something JJP alsmost refuses to do anyhing about other than ship you a washer kit to cover up the fact that the paint is bubbling off the playfield. If your buying one of these and paying $11,000 for an LE then you shouldn't have any playfield issues with paint literally chipping and bubbling off the surface with no explanation or even recognition from JJP that these problems are occurring. I don't call them "JERSEY JUNK PINBALL" for no reason at all.
9.280/10
2 years ago
This is one of the best pinball machines ever made and certainly the most enjoyable WIDE Body pin ever created....yes even better than Twilight Zone. There is so much to enjoy in this game and so many different modes. The mini-playfield adds a great touch and it's puzzling to hit the shots and maneuver the ball where it needs to go. Also there 3 mini-games on the DMD display in this machine too. It incorporates all 3 of the Indiana Jones movies and it does it very well. If your any type of Indiana Jones fan this is a machine to add to your want list. They are getting more and more expensive and harder to find as collectors have scooped them up. One of the best 90's era Bally/Williams pinball machines and still one of the All-Time best!
8.111/10
2 years ago
Iron Maiden is Keith Elwin's first pinball machine fron Stern and it's a good playing pinball machine.....it has the classic Elwin orbits that we're growing acustomed to seeing in his pinball designs. It's a good effort but the original Iron Maiden ended up becoming Guardians of the Galaxy which I would have preferred more seeing a giant Eddy with his arms around the entire playfield....which became Groot. Overall the ramp shot on this machine feels like Stern could have done more with that design instead of having the ball just drop off the back of the playfield. Also I feel like they could have done a better job with code and intergrating the ruleset to integrate Iron Maiden's albums into the achievements. It was a great effort but I think Stern really rushed this to market and it shows because I don't think they really ever achieved the full potential of what Iron Maiden could have been and I'm a HUGE Iron Maiden fan but this pinball machine is just ok to me.
8.416/10
2 years ago
I enjoy this Jurassic Park pin and it's a great design by Keith Elwin. The speed, shots and flow of this game are excellent, fast reflexes required also the ruleset is excellent. It makes for a great pinball experience. If anything leaves a little something to be desired it's the lack of playfield artwork on the lower half as it's basically a map of the island.....it integrates well in the game though.
8.180/10
2 years ago
IMO this is one of Borg's best designed pins. I know he's famous for the Rock band pins...Metallica, KISS & Aerosmith and they are all very enjoyable but I often find myself coming back to Turtles as it has that one more game feel. There is alot to this game and it's really a well done package. I'm not a fan of the theme but the game is truly enjoyable and makes for a fun, light-hearted pinball machine with a really appealing theme for any age group. This title is often overlooked by pinball players and I think it's due to the low scoring of this pinball machine but the fun factor for TMNT is right here in this pin and it's all at your fingertips.
9.660/10
2 years ago
I just received my Godzilla LE pin and this machine is one of the most enjoyable pinball machines I've ever played. It's a very challenging pinball machine from the first few days of playing it too. Designed for anyone at any skill level but this game has everything an Experienced player could ask for in a pinball machine. Code is early but very well done and new code will only improve the overall gameplay experience. First thing you will notice about this pinball machine is the game flow is fast and furious and unforgiving. It's really great and when you combine all the playfield toys this is pinball perfection. If there is one drawback I'd like to see more Godzilla footage in the film clips....hopefully that is something they add with code. Elwin's best pinball machine by far. This should win Game of the Year and this will go down as one of the best if not the best pinball machine when the dust & hysteria settle from the hype surrounding this title.
5.531/10
3 years ago
This was my first pinball machine. I purchased it because I love the horror theme and enjoy the Nightmare on Elm Street films. It's a good effort to incorporate the Freddy theme into the game....overall as a pinball machine this game falls flat. The playfield toys are intriguing including the CLAW Save between the 2 flippers. It's hard to find a Freddy pin where the CLAW hand on the left ramp actually still has it's fingerknives......most of them are broken right off. I did repair mine with Lexan and a Dremel and some Gorilla Glue......looked pretty solid after I painted it.....never broke after that either. It's just an ok pin for me....the game play is just lackluster and really a turn off despite a good themed pinball machine. Always play a few games when i see it out in the wild but this machine is definitely not a KEEPER and with Prices today it's still a sub $1500 pin IMO. It's just not fun!
8.400/10
3 years ago
A true gem of a pinball machine and one of Barry Oursler's best ever! It doesn't have a deep ruleset like some of the other 90's era Bally/Williams pins but this one keeps you coming back for more. The Mist-Ball feature is without question the coolest toy in all of pinball and there are 3 different Multi-Ball modes and a nice little video mini-game on the DMD too. The game has great flow and the shots are satisfying. Destroying Dracula is always fun as is the 30 Million point shots. You can really rack up great scores on this pinball machine and when you do it's really gratifying because this game might be one of the most difficult pinball machines to do that on consistently. The outlanes on this pinball machine are absolutely brutal....NO MERCY! If Horror Themed Pinball machines are your thing this one ranks right up at the very top of the list. Can wait to see what Barry Oursler's future games are at Deeproot.
7.346/10
3 years ago
I'm sure the ratings on this game might be higher than intended but I love the Theme and it's integrated pretty darn well into a pinball machine. This is an almost perfect pinball machine for a beginning pinball player and kids will go crazy for it. This is one machine I enjoyed playing so much in the 90's when it came out I had to buy one when I saw it for sale as an adult. I did sell it recently just because as a pinball player gaining more experience it does become slightly too repetitive but when you do outgrow this machine as a pinball player you will truly remember it and always appreciate it. It's not as deep as the Williams pins of the 90's or modern day Sterns but looking back for the time it was really well done. You do get a sense of achievement when you complete all 7 castles and there is a nice little mini-game on within the game that you play on the DMD which is a little side-scrolling run and jump game. The artwork on the cabinet & backglass is very colorful and it represents Super Mario very well. Some critics might sigh the shortfalls the game has but for what it offers it's an enjoyable pinball playing experience.
5.025/10
3 years ago
I'm not even sure I'd consider this an average pinball machine at best and I think I'm being kind! It sure looks interesting at first glance but once you play a game you realize this game is a dud! I know it's from the legendary Pat Lawlor but man o man this game is just a slow playing, boring pinball machine based a theme that all of us have played as a board game. I wouldn't even recommend this pinball machine in a large collection. The game really has no staying power and the game play leaves alot to be desired. They took the greatest Board Game ever made and created a Bored Game! I can honestly say without hesitation this is Pat Lawlor's worst pinball design EVER! HORRIBLE!
6.598/10
3 years ago
Champion Pub is a game that you will initially be drawn to because of the mini-games within the playfield as it draws you in to play it. It's an enjoyable theme and an enjoyable game but the game loses it's appeal quicker than the average pinball machine because the gameplay does become repetitive and slightly boring. In a large pinball collection this is perfect for but in a small collection I think this one will be one of the first pins to get the boot. There are alot better pins out there that are far more enjoyable. With that said it's still worth a few plays when you see it out in the wild or at a pinball show.
6.972/10
3 years ago
This is an often overlooked pinball machine but for some reason the gameplay is addicting. You keep coming back for one more game more often than not and that's the sign of a good pinball machine. It's certainly not in the realm of the classic 90's Bally/Williams era pins but this is a really enjoyable pinball machine. Perhaps one of the best 90's era Gottlieb pins. Wish I had room to add one to my collection.
7.988/10
3 years ago
Dirty Harry is designed by Barry Oursler and I'd say it ranks right up there with Dr. Who as a Hidden Gem among all the great pinball machines he's designed. It's a game for the Experienced Pinball player as the Outlanes are brutal and a beginner pinball player might get discouraged....similar to Bram Stoker's Dracula. Plenty of modes to play through and many ramps to shoot for....it will keep any pinball player's interest for a while. Is it a keeper you ask? Well if you are a Clint Eastwood or Dirty Harry fan absolutely and you feel a sense of accomplishment when you get all the way to the Crime Wave mode after completing all other modes. Nice DMD animations for a 90's era pinball machine and many of Clint Eastwood's soundbytes from Dirty Harry are in the game for you to enjoy. It's a great often overlooked 90's era pinball machine that many players will enjoy sinking their teeth into. I certainly encourage you to give Dirty Harry a try.
8.150/10
4 years ago
My expectations were high when this machine was announced, so glad I didn't run to my distributor and pre-order this one. Had a ton of play on a Standard Model and I was contemplating an LE until I played the SE model. It's better than your average modern day pinball machine and it has pretty good flow for a JJP machine but it's not a great pinball machine. What drives me a bit crazy is that the ball is so hidden throughout many sections of the pinball playfield. On a scale of 1-10 I'd give Wonka a 8.0 right now. There are alot better pins out there in the marketplace both new & used that I'd rather have in my collection than Willy Wonka.

The gameplay has improved with code and it is a much more enjoyable playing machine than it was at launch due to improved code.
7.640/10
5 years ago
I finally got a chance to sit down and give Houdini some play time. This is a really fun pinball machine for a veteran pinball player. It's not a beginner pinball as many of the shots are very tight and you do brick some shots pretty frequently before you begin to get them down. Ruleset is very deep and I honestly enjoyed playing the game. The inner loop shot on the right is one of the hardest but also the most rewarding shots. As the ball gets shot into the truck at the back left of the playfield....always fun to see that happen. The game is fun to play and it's enjoyable but it's not one I'd purchase as a keeper. I certainly look forward to seeing Ocktoberfest from American Pinball in the future because they are very close to making a great pinball machine.
6.600/10
5 years ago
Love this theme. You'd be hard pressed to find a bigger Iron Maiden fan than myself but this pinball machine was rushed to the market by Stern and given the Iron Maiden license to help boost sales. This was a pet project called Archer by Keith Elwin and his brother. This game was around expos in 2016 as Archer. it showed promise early had some innovation but the game never evolved into a great pinball machine. I would have thought that the brains at Stern would tweak something here or there....add some toys to the playfield and take the design of this game to the next level combined with a great license Iron Maiden making for another great rock pin from Stern. That never happened so what we have is a lackluster game with somewhat of an original concept and layout but very little satisfaction in gameplay. The straight up the center shot to the back is lackluster, not satisfying and the game really is boring with very little to shoot for except the orbits. They could have kept Elwin's original design but taken it to the next level, added some toys made some shots more satisfying and raised the fun factor of this game. IMO Stern saw what Spooky was able to accomplish with Total Nuclear Annihilation and thought....hey we can do that too and we will sell more by slapping a license onto it....here's Iron Maiden. BTW the game animations are absolutely terrible the worst in any pinball game! There are some delusional pinball players out there who think this machine is one of the greatest pins of All-Time. It's very average folks....sorry to disappoint you but they should have made this themed pinball focus more around the band's live concerts where you have to earn or summon Eddie to the playfield and defeat him as The Trooper, Somewhere in Time with the modes getting harder as you progress through the game and Eddie getting stronger and having more influence over the machine by adding things like a magnet feature to the playfield.....he could have risen up from the back of the playfield much like he rises up from the stage of the concert. Defeat all Eddies or something to that effect.....with the wizard mode being Iron Maiden......the artwork is descent but so much more could have been done with this theme.....Stern really wasted this license.....As a die-hard Iron Maiden fan I'm so pissed off at the end result of this game. Oh what could have been! I'm just glad I didn't blindly pre-order this one. It's one of Stern's biggest disappointments!
7.608/10
7 years ago
I'll say this about Ripley's when I first purchased this pinball machine I absolutely hated it and I do mean hated it!. It just felt uninspired and the game rules were very difficult as to what you needed to do to complete the game. Now that I've played it for a while I've come to the realization that I was completely wrong. This game has one of the deepest rulesets of any pinball machine I've played....it's absolutely a must have for any die hard pinball junkie! Easily one of Pat Lawlor's most under rated pinball machines. This ranks in the top 3 or 4 of Pat Lawlor pins of all-time. I'd even go as far to say that I enjoy the gameplay of Ripley's more than Addams Family, but I love the Addams Family theme more. If the theme turns you away on this one but you are a complete pinball junkie this is one of the most challenging pinball machines you'll ever play!
8.808/10
8 years ago
OK I'm updating my rating on this pinball machine as I'm reviewing the LE version. It's my Dream Theme pinball machine for me and my favorite bank so pardon my bias. This is one of the fastest playing pinball machines I've ever played.....Classic Borg! After the last code update on this game the gameplay experience improved dramatically. The flow of the game for a Stern pin is excellent it's not clunky like Walking Dead. There are a few things lacking in this game and one of them a SKILL SHOT....as there is none and the Starchild area is very difficult to shoot. Overall it's a really enjoyable pinball machine but there is a few things lacking as mentioned above. Gene's head is a cool toy too. The ultimate collector's item for a KISS fan like myself.

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