DrDQ's ratings

EDIT EDIT: It keeps getting better.
EDIT: The Honeymoon is over….but this game gets 99% of the play. It is just amazing, but it can also be brutal.


Maybe I am in the honeymoon phase, but so far I am loving this game. Yes I am a huge Rush fan, but either way this game is a lot of fun.
It definitely helps to understand the rules. Like their music..the game is intense! One example; Get a Record Mode started, Get one or two combo Albums completed and ready to cash in..cash them in at the Time Machine then get the Super Combo Jackpot left ramp...when the ball comes around the loop shot the left scoop and start Far Cry Multiball....with the Drum Instrument collected in Far Cry get a bunch of balls in the pops and watch the Clock advance the Headlong Flight Multiball..then activate that with the right loop....with the stacked multi balls get to One Little Victory Laps.....WHAT A RUSH!!!!
There are a lot of great shots. There is good flow and combos. The instrument/drop targets with the captive ball and the extremely fun left side pops integrated with the Drum sounds and clock advance provide for a lot fun around the entire playfield. The two main ramps; The left/side ramp and he long right Rush ramps are some of the best I have played. The ramp diverter adds to the change in flow/uniqueness, yet it can slow down the flow a bit from the right ramp.
The theme integration is great. The light show is top notch.
My biggest issue is the inner loop not registering on a regular basis as the ball flies around the turns, but I figure a new switch or wire adjustment can help here.

This one is growing on me.
Was very boring when I played it a handful of times a few years ago. But recently it seems to play much better post code update. The speed and the flow is there. That’s one really smooth and cool lock shot.
I would imaging having this is even more fun in a home environment with the new ruleset that allows you to approach from a number of strategies.

Very fun game to play, with a lot of great shots and interesting rules. Some very good flow and combos.
Still a little confused on the rules as they are deep. But I do know that you are awarded for keeping the shots going vs slowing down your play. I am not a huge fan of some of the animations (ie the systems modes) but I think the intent is to be nostalgic to the movie. The callouts and voice are a little bit annoying too. But the fun and challenge factors are top notch.
This game really keeps you coming back.

I have played about 30 games on this. My rating could move up as I learn more.

There is so much too like about this game; Toys, Layout, Shots, Sounds, Artwork, Theme Integration, Ruleset etc. It is a top machine in many of these aspects. This machine was clearly very well thought out and designed. Fantastic Theme Integration with very original layout, tons of shots with a very deep code that isn't too hard to grasp. Shaker and sound integration with the shots adds significantly to the feel and satisfaction. Amazing and enjoyable upper playfield. Some of the shots I love that are very satisfying ; The right ramp up the ship and through both spinners, left ramp through the whirlpool where they ball can hang there for a while, the metal clunk on a perfect shot to the Dauntless, the devil's triangle/spinner sound, the feel/flow and sound/lighting on the Fountain of Youth inner loop, the sound/feel of the Port Royal loop, especially when caught by the magnet for the ship VUK, the use of the left post for holding the ball for the Multiball loop jackpot in On Stranger Tides Multiball, The Maelstrom and Bayou shots during At Worlds End Multiball...the list goes on and on.

There isn't much to say around the negatives; current code may be slightly multiball scoring heavy and the modes could use some refining down the road - but this is being highly critical. Some issues tweaking from NIB that many have encountered but they are all minor. Occasional balls stuck in Ship VUK during multi ball, but might also be because mine is set up pretty steep. Added a washer under the subway to help.

A classic and immersive game that is very fun to play. Theme, callouts and light show are fantastic. The rules are very straightforward but they have a number of key missons to accomplish and completing them all in a single game is very hard. The lock shot ramp and destroying the saucer are very satisfying shots.
This game can be challenging. Ball control is key as you pay dearly for bad shot. This makes you improve your play.

Great and unique layout with a lot to shoot for. Very fun to play. Good flow with very nice upper orbits. Drop targets on upper right seem go down more with slow rolls vs satisfying shots...but that could just be me. Excellent Theme, music and artwork tie in.
Animations could use some upgrades. I like Iron Maiden but wonder if the music and theme would wear on me in a home setting. Definitely has that one more game feel.

Classic game with great flow and lots of fun to play. Lots of satisfying shots and combos.
A one of a kind layout with a nice unlicensed theme.

Nice looking machine with a unique layout and challenging modes. A lot of shots seem just too tight leading to a lot of clunkers. Flipper power seems too low for such tight shots leading to a lot of frustration and shots that don’t feel very satisfying. This probably should be able to be adjusted. Backglass is very nice but LCD animations need to be upgraded. Game has a nice set of rules. Despite the frustration and lack of flow it does have that one more game appeal.

This game has it all: Applies the latest technology to a great layout and flow with a very good rule set. Challenging with a lot of satisfying shots. Definitely keeps you coming back for more.
This game looks great and has a quirky retro futuristic theme with tongue in cheek humor that pays homage to some past Lawlor games. It’s nice to have an original theme vs another license.

There are a good mix of easy to tough shots, with the roving EMP targets, the 5 magnets and the unpredictabilty of the Theatre Magnet to help to keep each game different from the next.
The SIM shot is tough and takes a bit of luck but is very satisfying. The Big Bang, virtual Theater and Side ramp shots are also great. Excellent ball lock in the subway ramp that is similar to LOTR that manages to keep the flow going.
The scoring is a bit weighted to the modes, you can have a lot of flow and multiball jackpots but the modes, Sim Card and Big Bang are what deliver the scoring.
Biggest issue I have is the randomness of the magnets on the EMP mode where you can get a drain on a good game. But there are many game adjustments that can be made to suit your liking.

The 1.56 Code Update is fantastic...the addition of Quantum Theatre Multiball adds to the rules depth and strategy. Scoring changes and QTMB make the use Under Attack Multiball much more valued.

1.73 Code update corrected the lag on the phone.
Also the Emoji Mode (as of 1.63?) is now fun as you completing it rewards you with a beautiful Wonkaesque colored light show.

Mayhem Meets Strategy!
Very fun adrenaline filled game, with a lot of shots.
Game flow is very good. But some shots are tight: when you are on there is great flow, when your ramp shots are off not so much. So the game is a mix between downright crazy, skill shooting (Ramps, Orbits, Doc Oc) , target bashing (Goblin and Sandman targets) and rule based strategy and you adjust depending on how your game is going.
Modes are stackable and can be added during Multiball and the Octo Multiball...this leads to total craziness as the shaker and all various call outs and lights kicking in... one shot can lead to several scores. I think the center post adds to the strategy also, it can hurt you as much as it helps.
Overall the artwork on the Black is fantastic. The DMD animations aren’t that great,but some of them grow on you. Music and call outs are cool, and there seems to be different call outs very often.
Overall very fun and well themed game.

Gorgeous game. Well done theme with lots of humor. Nice feeling shots, with some good flow. But perhaps a little to repetitive with a lot revolving around the crate shot.

Very fun game that was ahead of it's time. Some very unique and nice shots. Great shot through the bumpers. Excellent theme tie in. Rules are a little shallow when compared to more recent games. Not a huge fan of the playfield magnets, disrupts the flow a bit.

Fun game to play with some excellent feeling ramp shots, especially the left ramp. Fantastic mist multi ball and great stackable multiballs. Non ramp shots are just ok. Really good blood red DMD animations and theming. Would be nicer with an alternative backglass, some different sounds and maybe a little bit different look (ie the coffin is a little cheesy).

The challenge is there... this is one that you will keep pressing the start button on.

Great game with a great theme and a lot of humor. A lot of fun to stack the multiballs. Flippers always seem a little week for the ramps, but most played were at shows or arcades.
Maybe it would get a little old in the long run with the repetitive castle shot, but would be excellent in a collection. But it's way up there in terms of the pricing.

Seems like it should have been so much better than it is. Looks like Star Wars, but doesn't feel like a Star Wars. Definitely a challenging layout with tight shots that requires a lot of ball control. But the shots don't feel very rewarding. There appears to be a lot of rules, but the stop and go rule/mode selections aren't for me.

Played both the premium and pro a number of times. It looks really cool but I can't seem to get into it. May be I am missing something but it seems repetitive, doesn't seem to have enough shots or there are just too many gimmicky shots. Almost seems like it should have had another ramp or orbit. Seems wide open, yet cluttered and available space is all taken up for the cityscape looks, if that makes sense. Perhaps I need to give it more time, but something is lacking.
On the other hand I would think this machine would do very well in arcades or for someone playing machines in your lineup, it will draw people to it on the looks and theme and games can be short.

This machine is an epic and immersive adventure with fantastic themed rules and modes coupled with a number of excellent and challenging shots and some very good speed and flow. The multiballs on this game are fantastic and although the main three cannot be stacked, you can combine Gollum Multiball and the active modes with them. Destroy the Ring is fantastic.
Probably not the best for Multiplayer because the game is just so immersive and there can be longer ball times (but there can also be very short games too). One of the best machines for home use enjoyment.

A classic, beautiful machine with a very nice theme tie in, a number of satisfying shots, combo shots, great flow and excellent toys, tricks and features. The cabinet, playfield artwork and light show are one of the best. The rules are good, but the finale isn't much but it’s still fun to play. Gameplay is very enjoyable and immersive on its own without focusing getting to the grand finale. Ramps and orbits are spectacular and its a lot of fun to get multiball flow going around the ramps and orbits. There is a lot more than just hitting the trunk, Orbit and ramp combos are great and the trap door shot is fantastic. I love this combo; hitting the center ramp to open the trap door, then hitting the right orbit at high speed followed up by a strong shot to the trap door before it closes.
This is a great game to go to after grinding it out on other more complex ruled machines. One of the best machines out there for more novice players, who can enjoy a a lot of what the game has to offer without frustrating drains.

Very intense, fast and fun game. When you get this game flowing it delivers an adrenaline rush. Excellent flow with great combo shots between the ramps, orbits and the spinner orbit. This is the fastest flowing machine I have ever played. On repeating orbit you can get it so fast you literally have to time shots without even seeing the ball. The hand and cybermatrix is a cool toy that creates a memory aspect to the game; remember where the extra ball and other rewards are so you can get them with when locking a ball. There are number of different modes and multiballs and the final PowerDown Mode is a great Wizard mode; Sectors in the machine are shutting down and you try to keep powering them up by shooting at them. Not the best looking artwork on the cabinet or translite but the play field is nice. Overall a lot of fun to play.

Very original and classic dual theme (Monster Movie with 50's Drive In Theme) that is very fun to play for all types of players. Ramp and combo shots are very smooth and satisfying, hitting the high speed right ramp over and over is great. Although it may seem repetitive, this game is much deeper than it first appears.
Fantastic artwork on play field and backbox. Playfield lighting is good but, the game could use better lighting at the top of the play field and in the Jet Bumpers.

Games can be very quick and challenging as there are lots of drains..but you keep coming back for more. Attaining that great game on Creature is extremely satisfying.

Playfield is tight, but very well thought out. Even though its only a two ball multiball, the tighter play field layout, upper ramp to swamp bowl , "Find the Creature, Save the Girl" multiball ruleset and the Creature appearance make this much more challenging, exciting and rewarding then many other machines easier attainable and more repetitive multi ball modes.

Very deep and enjoyable game to play. Many different modes, skill shots, toys. Tie in to the theme is excellent. Every game seems to expose something new. Multiballs are fantastic, especially Powerball Mania, when you can get multiple balls in the upper playfield.

Very fast, challenging and fun game that will keep you coming back. Games can be very short as missed shots will come back at you and drain very quickly. Great magnetized Iron Monger that rises from below the play field. Very cool loops and combos. Overall a little bit in the shallow side and a bit too much of the Iron Monger, which I guess can be adjusted in the settings.

Initially an exciting game to play, but the shots don't seem to be as satisfying as they should. The artwork is outstanding. The quality is outstanding. Fantastic light show and video themed animations with many modes. But really not sure if I would appreciate it more or less over time if owned.

Very fast game. Great artwork, sound, themed music and lights. Could use some more targets, scoring on lower play field, as it seems the goal is just to stay on the upper play field.

Fun game to play. Many rewarding shots that tie in very well to the music and theme.
Very cool ramps and Lots of toys; Magnet Hammer, Electric Chair Sparky, Snake grab and shoot back..

Very fun machine to play especially if you enjoy a lot of ramp, ramp combo, fast pinball action, hot pop bumpers and changing targets. If you like slower pinball, this game might not be for you, but you will love it if you like fast action. You do not need to be a Batman fan to love this game.

There are a lot of targets, 4 Ramps and two orbit shots that can be tied together in loops that are well integrated into the modes, and themes. You need to be alert for missed shots; they can come back at you very quickly.
The game is tied very well into the Batman Forever theme on the layout and on the DMD animations. Very colorful lighted game, but a little on the darker side in the upper play field. Many game within game modes (i.e. 7 Themed Gotham Events with DMD and Playfield Integration, Batwing, Roving Lighted Batwing targets that lead to Circus Countdown, 3 and 4 Ball Multiball and finally a very hard to attain Forever Mode). Some times a little clunky with some shots that don't register (ie the minicamp).
Overall this machine is an excellent value for the cost relative to many machines out there. Assuming COLOR DMD comes out, this will make this a really nice machine for the money and open up options for replacing an almost unobtainable DMD.