chippe01's ratings
Pinsider chippe01 has rated 7 machines.
This page shows all all these ratings, and forms chippe01's personal top 7.
Rating comments
8.501/10
6 years ago
I'm really not a modern pin guy, but I liked the idea of Spider-Man Home Edition because it didn't look to be too difficult. This is the first modern type machine I have played or owned.
My opinions will most likely differ from the bulk of this community as it is seen as sub-par to the Pro models, but for me it's perfect.
The cab art, back glass, and playfield art are absolutely gorgeous - actually the same cabinet art and back glass art as the Vault edition.
The machine overall does feel a bit less quality oriented than the pro models, as has been mentioned before, but the gameplay is a lot of fun for me.
There's not really too much variety in what shots to make, which is another thing I like. But the shots that are needed, are pretty tight and leave no room for error. I need to keep practicing.
The Color LED display is kind of clunky, but it works fine and you get used to it. The music / sound are very good as well, and the callouts make it easier to know what to shoot for.
The Rescue MJ captive ball is a great idea as well. It offers on the fly multi-ball, but it's not a shot that you can plan, it's all a matter of luck whether or not the ball falls into the lock. But once the ball is locked, it's a cinch to knock it out and start multi-ball.
One thing I don't like is that if a ball is in the chamber at the end of the game, it stays there for the next game, or in a multiplayer game, if you lose your ball, the next person has the opportunity to knock I out. I wish they would have designed it so the ball kicks out when the game ends or you lose your turn.
The other thing I don't like is that the 2 top bumpers activate together, as well as the slingshots. I assume this was done to keep costs down as another node board would have been needed, but it would have been nice if it was done correctly. The machine is pretty high priced for what it is already. How much more would an additional board have added to the cost?
This is not a high scoring game like most of the modern machines. You won't be seeing any billion scores on this machine.
The machine is very noisy. Not the sound/music, as that can be adjusted, but the mechanical parts, especially the pop bumpers. This is probably due to the fact that the cabinet under the playfield is almost completely empty, except for the Start, ball launch and flipper switches, and the speaker.
Gameplay is pretty intense, at least for me, and the game really is a lot of fun. Some find the playfield to be dark, I do not, it's bright enough in my opinion.
The machine is pretty expensive for the target audience intended, and that is what turns many off, calling it a toy machine. I think this holds up very well against my Xenon and Silverball Mania. It IS a real pinball machine.
There are not too many adjustments in the menus, but what is there is enough of what is needed to tweak the game settings.
Overall, I am pleased with this game, even with what I paid for it. Time will tell how the machine holds up.
My opinions will most likely differ from the bulk of this community as it is seen as sub-par to the Pro models, but for me it's perfect.
The cab art, back glass, and playfield art are absolutely gorgeous - actually the same cabinet art and back glass art as the Vault edition.
The machine overall does feel a bit less quality oriented than the pro models, as has been mentioned before, but the gameplay is a lot of fun for me.
There's not really too much variety in what shots to make, which is another thing I like. But the shots that are needed, are pretty tight and leave no room for error. I need to keep practicing.
The Color LED display is kind of clunky, but it works fine and you get used to it. The music / sound are very good as well, and the callouts make it easier to know what to shoot for.
The Rescue MJ captive ball is a great idea as well. It offers on the fly multi-ball, but it's not a shot that you can plan, it's all a matter of luck whether or not the ball falls into the lock. But once the ball is locked, it's a cinch to knock it out and start multi-ball.
One thing I don't like is that if a ball is in the chamber at the end of the game, it stays there for the next game, or in a multiplayer game, if you lose your ball, the next person has the opportunity to knock I out. I wish they would have designed it so the ball kicks out when the game ends or you lose your turn.
The other thing I don't like is that the 2 top bumpers activate together, as well as the slingshots. I assume this was done to keep costs down as another node board would have been needed, but it would have been nice if it was done correctly. The machine is pretty high priced for what it is already. How much more would an additional board have added to the cost?
This is not a high scoring game like most of the modern machines. You won't be seeing any billion scores on this machine.
The machine is very noisy. Not the sound/music, as that can be adjusted, but the mechanical parts, especially the pop bumpers. This is probably due to the fact that the cabinet under the playfield is almost completely empty, except for the Start, ball launch and flipper switches, and the speaker.
Gameplay is pretty intense, at least for me, and the game really is a lot of fun. Some find the playfield to be dark, I do not, it's bright enough in my opinion.
The machine is pretty expensive for the target audience intended, and that is what turns many off, calling it a toy machine. I think this holds up very well against my Xenon and Silverball Mania. It IS a real pinball machine.
There are not too many adjustments in the menus, but what is there is enough of what is needed to tweak the game settings.
Overall, I am pleased with this game, even with what I paid for it. Time will tell how the machine holds up.
8.063/10
7 years ago
Buck Rogers Gottlieb, 1980
I haven't played this game in many years, but this was one of my favorites in my late teens.
8.771/10
7 years ago
Xenon Bally, 1980
I just got this game today and can't stop playing it. Yes, there's the obvious - the back glass (es) is/are stunning. The chaser lights add a nice effect, and I like how the lights follow the music - the faster the music, the faster the lights move. And there's multiball.
The playfield is also a work of art, in my opinion. It's a little sparse, but it works well. I'll never get tired of trying a tube shot! And ripping that spinner, which of course, is my favorite pinball target. At least on this game, the spinner is a satisfying shot. I also own a Silverball Mania and that has 2 spinners, but every time you get a good spinner hit, the ball bounces right back and stops it. Not on this game - it truly is a satisfying shot for me.
Most people think the game is a little boring, but I don't think so. That ramp shot is not so easy when you're under pressure with the music and lights going faster. The drop targets are a breeze with the top arch rollovers that knock them down for you. The left and right outlanes are not too much of a problem as the ball usually bounces off the mini posts, but that center drain is a killer. The mini post located below and left of center of the flippers occasionally saves the ball, but most of the time, the longer right flipper wireform blocks the balls travel and bounces it away.
There are definite goals with this game, one of which is to achieve multiball and light the spinner for 1,000. The bumpers get some nice action as well, despite the odd layout, or perhaps because of the odd layout.
Regarding the music, I thought it would start to annoy me, but I really like it. The vocals are also spectacular for the era this game was produced.
Overall, with the backglass, lights, playfield, music and vocalizations, this is an excellent game, and a lot of fun. It is also challenging as you try to keep the ball alive.
Just my 2 cents!
The playfield is also a work of art, in my opinion. It's a little sparse, but it works well. I'll never get tired of trying a tube shot! And ripping that spinner, which of course, is my favorite pinball target. At least on this game, the spinner is a satisfying shot. I also own a Silverball Mania and that has 2 spinners, but every time you get a good spinner hit, the ball bounces right back and stops it. Not on this game - it truly is a satisfying shot for me.
Most people think the game is a little boring, but I don't think so. That ramp shot is not so easy when you're under pressure with the music and lights going faster. The drop targets are a breeze with the top arch rollovers that knock them down for you. The left and right outlanes are not too much of a problem as the ball usually bounces off the mini posts, but that center drain is a killer. The mini post located below and left of center of the flippers occasionally saves the ball, but most of the time, the longer right flipper wireform blocks the balls travel and bounces it away.
There are definite goals with this game, one of which is to achieve multiball and light the spinner for 1,000. The bumpers get some nice action as well, despite the odd layout, or perhaps because of the odd layout.
Regarding the music, I thought it would start to annoy me, but I really like it. The vocals are also spectacular for the era this game was produced.
Overall, with the backglass, lights, playfield, music and vocalizations, this is an excellent game, and a lot of fun. It is also challenging as you try to keep the ball alive.
Just my 2 cents!
8.307/10
7 years ago
Silverball Mania Bally, 1980
I like this machine because it takes me back to my childhood days when the EM's reigned. It's not overly complicated with difficult rule sets and nearly impossible combo shots.
Most people go for the hoop over and over. However, I am a spinner guy - I love spinners, and I mostly shoot for the spinners. I like getting the ball back to the top of the playfield. I go for the hoop to get the 5X then the free ball. It helps that about 20% of the time the kicker kicks the ball back through the hoop! Or if it enters the hoop slow enough that you get the hoop bonus twice. After the free ball, I concentrate on the spinners and the bumpers.
The bumpers are well laid out and can produce some good repetitive action.
The sounds are OK, and I've gotten rather fond of the background warbling. I turned it off, and I feel like I am missing something. I also tried the chimes sounds, but prefer the regular sounds.
The machine is easy to score high, since it's a 6 digit game. They should have made this for 7 digit scoring. I don't like the fact that the bonus carries over from ball to ball, and wish there was an option to change this. It would make the game much harder, but scores would be much lower.
I really love the playfield artwork, it's nice and colorful. The back glass is also a work of art.
What I really like about this game is the tribute to the old pinball days, with it's four dead bumpers on top, and the pins at the bottom out-lanes on either side.
It can get a little lackluster after you have exhausted the hoop bonuses. At which time I prefer to shoot for the top of the playfield and score the center lane to enable the kicker. Remember, you have to go through the spinners to get there! :)
Overall this is a pretty fun game, at least for now. I hope it won't lose it's appeal any time soon.
Most people go for the hoop over and over. However, I am a spinner guy - I love spinners, and I mostly shoot for the spinners. I like getting the ball back to the top of the playfield. I go for the hoop to get the 5X then the free ball. It helps that about 20% of the time the kicker kicks the ball back through the hoop! Or if it enters the hoop slow enough that you get the hoop bonus twice. After the free ball, I concentrate on the spinners and the bumpers.
The bumpers are well laid out and can produce some good repetitive action.
The sounds are OK, and I've gotten rather fond of the background warbling. I turned it off, and I feel like I am missing something. I also tried the chimes sounds, but prefer the regular sounds.
The machine is easy to score high, since it's a 6 digit game. They should have made this for 7 digit scoring. I don't like the fact that the bonus carries over from ball to ball, and wish there was an option to change this. It would make the game much harder, but scores would be much lower.
I really love the playfield artwork, it's nice and colorful. The back glass is also a work of art.
What I really like about this game is the tribute to the old pinball days, with it's four dead bumpers on top, and the pins at the bottom out-lanes on either side.
It can get a little lackluster after you have exhausted the hoop bonuses. At which time I prefer to shoot for the top of the playfield and score the center lane to enable the kicker. Remember, you have to go through the spinners to get there! :)
Overall this is a pretty fun game, at least for now. I hope it won't lose it's appeal any time soon.
8.737/10
7 years ago
Night Moves International, 1989
I've been waiting a long time for one of these. Saw one on eBay and snatched it up. It was in very good shape overall. I'm glad I finally got this. It's a great game, with great music and sound effects. The lights are awesome, as is the attract mode. The game is fun to play, but I'm still learning all the rules. I have the manual, but still haven't learned them yet, and sometimes it seems things don't make sense.
I love that the score / status displays are right there on the play field in full view. The only thing that puzzles me is that when starting ball, it takes about three seconds to register the score once you hit or roll over something. I thought this might have been a malfunction, but looking at YouTube videos, I see this is normal.
Overall an excellent game with great sound and visuals. Play field layout is nice, as is the artwork in typical 80's fashion. I also LOVE that it has a spinner. Spinners have always been my favorite pinball target. Love it!
BTW, this is my THIRD cocktail pin, as you can see from my profile. :)
I love that the score / status displays are right there on the play field in full view. The only thing that puzzles me is that when starting ball, it takes about three seconds to register the score once you hit or roll over something. I thought this might have been a malfunction, but looking at YouTube videos, I see this is normal.
Overall an excellent game with great sound and visuals. Play field layout is nice, as is the artwork in typical 80's fashion. I also LOVE that it has a spinner. Spinners have always been my favorite pinball target. Love it!
BTW, this is my THIRD cocktail pin, as you can see from my profile. :)
6.733/10
7 years ago
Vegas Game Plan, 1979
For a cocktail pin, this game is a little better than most as far as having goals to make. The action can get pretty intense at times. There's very good bumper action and the rebound kickers are pretty powerful.
However, there are a number of annoyances with this game:
1) The kickout lane doesn't work half the time. If the ball goes down the kickout lane too quickly, the kickout plunger won't catch it. By the time the kickout plunger activates, the ball is already passed it.
2) Forget about scoring the spinner and shooting the ball back to the top lanes. This was a terrible design. Shooting the ball through the spinner almost never makes it to the top. The lane is way too wide, and the ball just bounces back down through the spinner.
3) The only real way to score big points is through the bonus. Almost everything on this machine gives you bonus points. You can get up to 39,000 bonus, with a max of 5X multiplier - that's 195,000 max bonus.
4) The bonus multiplier is kind of easy to achieve.
5) If you score max bonus, you can go cook dinner while the bonus counts down (OK, an exaggeration, but it takes a really long time!)
6) With two out lanes on the right, one out lane on the left and a large gap between the flippers, the ball is not in play for too long.
7) Sound is really dull, but I guess that's what was available back in 1979.
Still and all, I like this game as it presents a challenge - one of trying to keep the ball in play. It's also very nice to look at. The playfield art is very nice, with all the colors. And while the cabinet has no art, it still looks very elegant.
However, there are a number of annoyances with this game:
1) The kickout lane doesn't work half the time. If the ball goes down the kickout lane too quickly, the kickout plunger won't catch it. By the time the kickout plunger activates, the ball is already passed it.
2) Forget about scoring the spinner and shooting the ball back to the top lanes. This was a terrible design. Shooting the ball through the spinner almost never makes it to the top. The lane is way too wide, and the ball just bounces back down through the spinner.
3) The only real way to score big points is through the bonus. Almost everything on this machine gives you bonus points. You can get up to 39,000 bonus, with a max of 5X multiplier - that's 195,000 max bonus.
4) The bonus multiplier is kind of easy to achieve.
5) If you score max bonus, you can go cook dinner while the bonus counts down (OK, an exaggeration, but it takes a really long time!)
6) With two out lanes on the right, one out lane on the left and a large gap between the flippers, the ball is not in play for too long.
7) Sound is really dull, but I guess that's what was available back in 1979.
Still and all, I like this game as it presents a challenge - one of trying to keep the ball in play. It's also very nice to look at. The playfield art is very nice, with all the colors. And while the cabinet has no art, it still looks very elegant.
6.617/10
7 years ago
Roy Clark The Entertainer Fascination Game, 1977
I happen to like this game. It's simple, like the pins I used to play as a youngster. No complicated rules to remember, and I find the game is very playable. The cocktail table style makes it perfect for my apartment as I could never fit a full sized pinball machine in here.
I bought this recently on eBay, and for a 40 year old machine, it plays very well.
The machine, as received, was fitted with LED lights, which I replaced. I didn't like the brightness of them. I noticed the bumper caps were yellow, but all other machines I have seen have the RED bumper caps. I have those on order. I also replaced the red lane guides with the standard yellow ones.
I don't see why this game gets such a bad rap. Yeah, It's Roy Clark. I'm not a fan, but that's not why I bought this. I think this game is a lot of fun.
I bought this recently on eBay, and for a 40 year old machine, it plays very well.
The machine, as received, was fitted with LED lights, which I replaced. I didn't like the brightness of them. I noticed the bumper caps were yellow, but all other machines I have seen have the RED bumper caps. I have those on order. I also replaced the red lane guides with the standard yellow ones.
I don't see why this game gets such a bad rap. Yeah, It's Roy Clark. I'm not a fan, but that's not why I bought this. I think this game is a lot of fun.
