GreyScale's ratings
Pinsider GreyScale has rated 244 machines.
This page shows all all these ratings, and forms GreyScale's personal top 244.
Rating comments
Lawrence, KS
7.832/10
9 years ago
Transformers The Pin Stern, 2012
Pretty good for what it's intent is: to be a pinball machine for the whole family. Obviously barely any gimmicks to speak of, though there is a multiball feature. Very easy rules to follow. Really good sound quality with nice sound effects and music. Still, the price tag needs to be much cheaper. Should have been more of a success.
8.536/10
9 years ago
Pyramid Gottlieb, 1978
Great EM to play with the 5 drop targets in the middle to shoot for along with the rollovers and saucers. The gameplay and rules are easy to figure out, but quite a challenge to max out the bonus with all you have to do to achieve it. Very solid artwork as always by Gordon Morrison. Certainly one of the last great EMs of its time.
9.156/10
10 years ago
Doctor Who Bally, 1992
An rather fun game to play once you figure out the rules. I love that you get to pick a doctor before a ball launch, adds some unique strategy that you don't see in too many pinball machines. The multiball is great fun with tricky shots to make. Time Expander is a cool gimmick with three(!) levels. Scoring can be a little bit unbalanced, you best be good at the loop shot if you want to have ridiculous scoring. But even so, It is still fair as the playfield value won't stay the same for long, even with the 6th Doctor selected.
6.887/10
10 years ago
Spring Break Gottlieb, 1987
Like most of the Gottlieb Premier machines from this era, its quirky as quirky can be. Cheesy backglass that perfectly defines the time and a multiball per ball that should keep novice pinball players amused.
7.803/10
10 years ago
Mustang (Pro) Stern, 2014
Played a few games at the Game Exchange in Denver, and was pleasantly surprised by it. Even with the early code there is much to do and shoot for, very good gameplay that should get better in time.
9.380/10
10 years ago
The Who's Tommy Pinball Wizard Data East, 1994
I absolutely love everything about this game, helps to be a big fan of the theme. The music is great, love the shots in which some are easy and some challenging. The modes are fun with a variety to each. Love the artwork as well, even if it isn't everyone's cup of tea. The only real negative thing I can say is that getting multi-ball is rather easy. Just incredibly fun overall. The best DE has ever put out.
6.189/10
10 years ago
Capt. Fantastic and The Brown Dirt Cowboy Bally, 1976
The machine looks good, and that is about it. Really disappointed by it, considering that it is one of the most "known" EMs there is. Barely anything to shoot for, loses its appeal rather quickly.
8.514/10
10 years ago
AC/DC (Pro) Stern, 2012
Plays every bit as good as the premium version, but Angus Face just kills it for me. Thankfully its great everywhere else.
7.419/10
10 years ago
Duotron Gottlieb, 1974
(Simply copied over my Magnotron review. It is pretty much the same game, just with 2 players)
Love the backglass and cab artwork, one of the best done by the legendary Gordon Morrison. Game is a an absolute drain monster, learn to nudge or get ready to accept short ball times. Saucer and the Bonus Booster can be tough shots to make, very high risk but the payoff is nice especially if the saucer is up to 5,000. Lot of luck involved in this one. The kickers and the gate are a nice touch.
Love the backglass and cab artwork, one of the best done by the legendary Gordon Morrison. Game is a an absolute drain monster, learn to nudge or get ready to accept short ball times. Saucer and the Bonus Booster can be tough shots to make, very high risk but the payoff is nice especially if the saucer is up to 5,000. Lot of luck involved in this one. The kickers and the gate are a nice touch.
6.576/10
10 years ago
Big Star Williams, 1972
A very far out art package. Its too bad the rest of the game really doesn't hold up. Its all about getting the posts up and then hitting all over the rollovers so that the saucer value can increase higher and higher. Thats fine, but the rollovers can make things rather quirky with the ball, often dropping it straight down even while rolling off center. Be ready to watch the ball drain often on the left outlane. And with the center post up, the ball will more often than not hit the rollover to lower it. Not one of Steve Kordek's better efforts but the art package by Christian Marche is fun to look at. Peace, man.
8.820/10
10 years ago
Kings & Queens Gottlieb, 1965
A fantastic EM to play. Hit a majority of the rollovers, shoot the ball into the Ace saucer and watch the points skyrocket! A very nice art package, though the cab could be much better. One of the best from its era!!
8.583/10
10 years ago
Wizard of Oz Jersey Jack, 2013
(Obviously this review will be changing overtime as more of the code is updated)
I consider myself very lucky that I live close by to a place that does have this game on location and is very much taken care of and run right. (Stangbat, you're one of the greatest!) Because of that, I do think it is very fair I can review this machine, even as the code updates keep coming.
Simply put, JJP hits it out of the park with this one. Gorgeous to look at all around, the LCD is awesome. It is nice to see pinball finally entering the 21st century. Gimmicks are everywhere in this one, 2 mini playfields, spinning house, magnets everywhere, etc. JJP certainly knows how to make an entrance, and they clearly went all out with this one. Gameplay is incredibly deep, maybe a little bit too much. From the looks of things, it will take you at least 30 minutes to reach Somewhere Over The Rainbow.
Theme and the call outs are the 2 real negative things I see with WoZ. As a long time Kansan, I've been sick of Oz references for years, and this machine clearly doesn't help that. But I have to admit, Wizard really does make for a good pinball theme, it is a timeless classic movie, lest we forget that.
So at the moment, loving it so far! Here is to hoping that JJP is around for a very long time.
I consider myself very lucky that I live close by to a place that does have this game on location and is very much taken care of and run right. (Stangbat, you're one of the greatest!) Because of that, I do think it is very fair I can review this machine, even as the code updates keep coming.
Simply put, JJP hits it out of the park with this one. Gorgeous to look at all around, the LCD is awesome. It is nice to see pinball finally entering the 21st century. Gimmicks are everywhere in this one, 2 mini playfields, spinning house, magnets everywhere, etc. JJP certainly knows how to make an entrance, and they clearly went all out with this one. Gameplay is incredibly deep, maybe a little bit too much. From the looks of things, it will take you at least 30 minutes to reach Somewhere Over The Rainbow.
Theme and the call outs are the 2 real negative things I see with WoZ. As a long time Kansan, I've been sick of Oz references for years, and this machine clearly doesn't help that. But I have to admit, Wizard really does make for a good pinball theme, it is a timeless classic movie, lest we forget that.
So at the moment, loving it so far! Here is to hoping that JJP is around for a very long time.
6.501/10
10 years ago
The Avengers (Pro) Stern, 2012
If you're looking for a pinball machine with a high challenge and tough to hit shots, then this is it. Kind of shallow since its the pro version. The call outs are ok, Hulk's are way better than Loki's (horrible). Pretty solid overall art package. But after a few games I was already quite bored with it.
6.576/10
11 years ago
Super Star Williams, 1972
A very far out art package, man. Its too bad the rest of the game really doesn't hold up. Its all about getting the posts up and then hitting all over the rollovers so that the saucer value can increase higher and higher. Thats fine, but the rollovers can make things rather quirky with the ball, often dropping it straight down even while rolling off center. Be ready to watch the ball drain often on the left outlane. And with the center post up, the ball will more often than not hit the rollover to lower it. Not one of Steve Kordek's better efforts but the art package by Christian Marche is fun to look at. Peace, man.
7.480/10
11 years ago
The Getaway: High Speed II Williams, 1992
Pretty slick design with an interesting theme. Not a big fan of the playfield since the shots always have to be dead on and drains are quite common. Still, its ok, supercharger ramp is always fun to watch.
7.419/10
11 years ago
Magnotron Gottlieb, 1974
Love the backglass and cab artwork, one of the best done by the legendary Gordon Morrison. Game is a an absolute drain monster, learn to nudge or get ready to accept short ball times. Saucer and the Bonus Booster can be tough shots to make, very high risk but the payoff is nice especially if the saucer is up to 5,000. Lot of luck involved in this one. The kickers and the gate are a nice touch.
6.231/10
11 years ago
Tee'd Off Gottlieb, 1993
Ugh. Gottlieb DMD games don't have the best reputation, and this one is no exception. Horrendous artwork, backglass, nothing on this machine that we haven't seen before. Plays horribly with that annoying gopher taunting you. At least on Funhouse and NGG we can take out our aggression at them on the playfield, here you just have to take it.
8.744/10
11 years ago
AC/DC (Premium) Stern, 2012
Fantastic sights and sounds, love the multi colored LEDs, twin ramp shots, just an overall nice layout. Fun multiball modes too. Definitely musically and visually one of the best I've seen. The only real negatives is that the cannon and mini-playfield can kill the flow a little bit.
5.839/10
11 years ago
Wild Life Gottlieb, 1972
Not one of the better Gottlieb machines from this era. Hideous backglass and playfield artwork, not much to shoot for, no interesting gimmicks. The pop bumper in the middle is cool to shoot for, watch the points fly if it stays in there. And also if you shoot it perfectly over the rollovers.
9.380/10
11 years ago
World Cup Soccer Bally, 1994
Extremely fun to play with some great sounds and music. Rather easy at times, good for anyone new to pinball.
8.392/10
11 years ago
Batman (The Dark Knight) Stern, 2008
The crane is one of my favorite gimmicks ever in pinball, though the Joker toy is kind of pointless. The voices can be a bit cheesy at times but they still amuse me enough. I love it every time Scarecrow says "JAAACKPOT!", as repetitive as it can be. Nice overall package with excellent use from both movies.
7.868/10
11 years ago
Hot Shot Gottlieb, 1973
I love drop target games from this era, so this of course this is one of my favorites. The only real problem is that the scoring is rather unbalanced, with the bonus multiplier 3X on the last ball, so play your best on that one!
9.560/10
11 years ago
Indiana Jones: The Pinball Adventure Williams, 1993
Awesome. Fantastic use of the theme, excellent sound and music, very fun game modes, including 3 video modes!
7.761/10
11 years ago
Masquerade Gottlieb, 1966
A rather interesting EM from the 60's. 4 total flippers and an interesting multi-bumper with contacts that spell out "Masked Beauty". Very nice artwork with an animated backglass present as well!
8.504/10
11 years ago
Iron Man Stern, 2010
A very fast and intense game. You would think that by looking at the playfield first glance that this game doesn't have much to it, but the depth is certainly there. There is much strategy involved in this game to getting the best score, and while doing that you must deal with random magnets, the War Machine target that fires the ball even quicker than the raptor pen on JP, etc. Its a challenging game, but its that challenge that will have you coming back for more. As the months have gone on, I'm loving this game more and more.
8.194/10
11 years ago
Tri Zone Williams, 1979
A rather nice early SS game. Its all about making the "TRI" shots (safe orbit shots), "ZONE" shots (risky shots but higher rewards), and pretty much nothing else. Interesting futuristic theme going on, a cool backglass but the playfield artwork is rather bland. Still, for its time and price, a good one to go for.
8.312/10
11 years ago
Jack*Bot Williams, 1995
Never been the biggest fan of the playfield. Always drains on the outlanes for Pinbot though at least on Jackbot there is a ball save. Nice theme to spike things up though. Love the call outs and the Casino Run is always a blast.
6.587/10
11 years ago
Super Mario Bros. Gottlieb, 1992
Would have been higher if not for Mario's annoying call outs. Plays pretty good everywhere else. Ok playfield, a typical Gottlieb machine at the time.
7.616/10
11 years ago
Hollywood Heat Gottlieb, 1986
My favorite of the Gottlieb/Premier machines of the mid to late 80's. The translite isn't as bad as some people say it is, there is worse out there (Genesis, Spring Break, Raven, etc). The layout is rather interesting, certainly different but that is what the company was going for at the time. Multiball makes it quite fun, not a deep game by any means, but I think it deserves it a better rep.
9.328/10
11 years ago
Theatre of Magic Bally, 1995
Love this machine, in my top 10 for sure. Awesome shots, fun modes, very fun multiball, a wizard mode that doesn't take you 30 minutes to get to, awesome artwork all around, the organ music is fantastic and only heightens the tension when you are needing that one big shot. The worst thing about the game? The callouts could be a little bit better and less repetitive. Just an awesome machine, J-Pop's best ever!
9.560/10
11 years ago
The Addams Family Bally, 1992
A classic by every means, no surprise more produced units than any machine ever. Very excellent use of the theme, fun diverse modes.
7.934/10
11 years ago
The Rolling Stones Stern, 2011
I think I like this machine more than anyone else. Yes, Mick on a Stick can be rather annoying especially when you are looking to make certain shots. At least the music is rocking (interesting choices that only die hard fans would know) and regardless the machine still plays great for me, still enough different modes and multiball modes to keep things entertaining. The call outs don't even remotely bother me, nor do the plastics on the playfield. The rule set is actually rather deep and yet easy to figure out at the same time. Best for die hard fans of the band and for the casual players.
9.536/10
11 years ago
Medieval Madness Williams, 1997
A classic. Love the playfield and the toys that are on it, excellent flow to the game, hilarious call outs, excellent use of the theme.
8.988/10
11 years ago
Royal Rumble (WWF) Data East, 1994
I'm a huge pro wrestling fan, and I will admit that does contribute much to the high rating(as well as never getting annoyed with the call outs). Love the mini playfield in the upper right hand corner, and the high variety of music.
8.679/10
11 years ago
Indiana Jones Stern, 2008
To me, a very underrated game. Easy to understand rules, 8-Ball Ark multiball is fantastic to see, great DMD animation and musical score. Lastability may be an issue, and from the looks of things it would take a 40 minute game just to reach the wizard mode.
9.187/10
11 years ago
Star Wars Data East, 1992
*Updated with new code*
The machine that got me into pinball nearly 20 years ago. Great use of the theme, great music, good call outs, not too deep of a rule set and thus easy to understand immediately. With the updated code, the game is much more balanced than before, no longer one shot! Really, the only real negatives I can think of is the artwork on the playfield could be better.
The machine that got me into pinball nearly 20 years ago. Great use of the theme, great music, good call outs, not too deep of a rule set and thus easy to understand immediately. With the updated code, the game is much more balanced than before, no longer one shot! Really, the only real negatives I can think of is the artwork on the playfield could be better.
