Heaterguy's ratings

I've had this game for about 2 weeks and have pretty much figured it out. Its a decent Pin but doesnt stack up as well as some of my other System 11's.
What I like:
*I Love the Backglass with the shiny insert it really pops.
*I love the Multiball rules, it builds from Emerald to Ruby to Diamond etc...The callouts from the lady are really fun too. But whats really cool is once you hit one of the 2 ramps in multiball and collect the gem, it holds a ball in that ramp and you must lock a ball in the OTHER ramp to start the next level. It then releases both balls for multiball play again and you must hit either ramp to collect the next gem, and it holds that ball and repeats the process over and over till the top level (Hotshot) is acheived for 500K. If you drain a ball while 1 ball is locked (during multiball) it releases the locked ball, often times people walk away and forget so you need to be aware.
*Skill shot is pretty cool, and inline drops are one of my favorite features in pinball.

What I dont like so much:
*Not crazy about the spinner. First off, it isnt working that great the ball only moves a couple holes. It slows the flow down waiting on the circular lights and tends to not award points but extra balls. I may need to look into the settings but still not a big fan of it.
*Top right flipper. Ive never played a game with a top single flipper that was so inconsequential. I rarely use it and there isnt much to shoot for other than the top left drop target lane, which is a challenging shot but not much else to shoot for.
*Seems like there arent many shots on this one other than the 2 ramps and once you lock a ball in the top left ramp the right flipper is really not in play that much other than standups which are really only good for some points, no achievements that Im aware of.

All in all I was a bit disappointed as I expected a bit more out of a system 11 but its still a worthwhile pin, however I would let this one go it may not be a keeper in my 60 pin collection.

I have this pin, It has a LOT of features for an EM and is really fun, plus it looks amazing under Black lights. Its one of very few pins that you can lite the Kickback in the left outlane, the Center post between flippers, and the ball save gate in the right outlane so its almost impossible to lose the ball! Plus there is a "Swing Reel" at the top. Each time you hit the top saucer you not only collect lit point value but you advance the "Swing Reel" hit it 3 times and win an extra ball. Hitting top stand ups "Freezes" the swinging target value and lites the swinging target, then you can collect lit value, one of which is the ball save gate. I like that the "Down post" buttons are off center, unlike other williams pins so you can really take advantage of the center post. Games that have the "down post" button in the middle can cause the post to disappear just as the ball passes thru the center. I had no Idea how cool this pin was as It sat broke at a friends house for 3 years till one day I noticed the flourescent paint and wanted to put it in my Black light room. So happy I kept it.

Played this at a local eatery for the 1st time today. LOVED it! Still dont understand the ruleset but its a great game. As a collector its now on my list.

I intended on flipping this game but the strategy alone has earned it a spot in my lineup of almost 50 pins. Its a target shooters game, its critical that you hit the slot reel targets you aim for. Lining up 3 in a row lights an award that can be a free ball or special. Hitting both the drops collect what ever award is lit, depending on which reels are lined up in a row. The drops and reel targets are pretty easy to hit but those rebound shots can hit the reel targets at the wrong time and be frustrating. I ignore the lit spinner, its only worth 100 and you risk goin over a rollover up top and changing the score reels. I like to stay in control as much as possible so I shoot for the reel targets till i line a set up, and then collect the award which can be a free ball or up to 30,000 points. Thats waaay better than a 100 point spinner.

I picked this game up in pretty rough shape non working and missing the BG but only paid $200 for it.
Had I rated this one after the first couple days I would have said I hate the wierd in/out lanes holes. HOWEVER, after playing it for a couple months, I must say Its a cool feature. The lanes along with the center pin make you play the game totally different than a standard pin. It takes some getting used to, but I now really enjoy the refreshing change of playing style. The top rollovers are a must to knockdown (to qualify for the extra ball light) and they carry over from ball to ball. I set most SS games on 3 ball but with 4 top rollovers and 3 balls its near impossible to knock them all down in 3 balls so I set this one to 5 balls and work on the skill shot ball launch. The drop targets are a blast to pound away at and are good for target practice to knock the cards down in the correct order, coupled with the unique in lanes feature you really gotta pay attention. The only thing I wish is that you could turn off that HORRIBLE repetitive carnival music. Sounds are actually decent but that music SUCKS! I would like to play the EM version to compare the 2 but never have. Overall i find myself coming back to this one alot, Its a fun and interesting game and can be challenging to get the free ball. I plan on keeping it in my collection.

SPINNERS! LIGHT THE SPINNERS! I dont understand the low ratings on this game. For a widebody, its not that slow. As i said previously, lighting the spinners is not that tough and easily attainable at least once in a 3 ball game. Who doesnt love to rip a spinner and listen to it rack up mega points when lit? The left spinner is super EZ to nail dead center.
I recently acquired one that had been sitting broke in a finished dry basement for 20 years, was undocumented HUO, in excellent condition for $400. The inserts were all flat, PF was dirty but very nice, BG was almost a 10.

PROS:
Artwork-I love the colors and lightning bolts on the cab, the Backglass is Mirrored and fantastic. Overall just a beautiful, colorful machine that is also well lit, great use of GI lighting. For some reason, a well lit, colorful, attractive game is much more fun to play in my opinion. (Strikes and Spares comes to mind)
Spinners-EZ to light and nail for big points over and over.
Ball capture-Interesting ball launchers on each side instead of normal boring return lanes and outlanes.

CONS:
Sounds. I realize SS was in its infancy but its hard to believe there is no "back ground sound or music" Merely 1 year later Williams came up with games like BK which have amazing sounds. My 1979 Meteor sounds blow this one away.
Ruleset- Not that EZ to figure out whats what. You shouldnt have to study the ruleset to figure a game out. I still am not sure about the drop target goals.
Kickers- There is only (1) switch in the Kickers above the flippers, I adjusted them closer than usual but still occasionall get no kick when the ball glances softly off the edges. Kickers are a bit weak as well, but i didnt service them.

All in all i like this game for a widebody. Im kinda bummed I promised my brother he could have it so its going to his house now that i have it working as it should. Good thing is he lives 5 miles away, has a Stargate, so im sure i'll be spending a little more "family time" with my bro now!
;-)

What can I say, I never met a Zale game I didnt like. Love all the zipper games. tons of things to shoot for like adding and collecting Clarinet bonus, Bagatelle, skill shot on serve, and gate buttons. I like gates, this one has 3. The upper right gate can drain it or give it back depending on position of lower gate. Top rebound skill shot (depending on which side is lit) is critical to open left gate. Even with that gate open, the left drain is a killer from slingshots. Artwork is awesome cartoonish and funny, colors are beautiful. this is one of my favorite EMs in my collection.

I bought this game from another collector who said it was not worth restoring.
He was wrong. It was in horrible shape, missing inserts, PF was a wreck, Missing score motor, Missing coils and flippers,wiring harness hacked, 1 score relay had caught fire and burnt the wood in the head and melted the wiring.
I totally restored the game and re-cleared it.
Enough about that, just wanted to give my review some context, as any game you put this much into will mean much more than one you just bought in working condish.

First off, I have owned about a dozen EM's and I must say, this one is up there with one of my favorites. I never get tired of trying to hit all the stand up targets with one ball. Lighting 2 sets of 3 matching letters lights the extra ball lane. I love EM's that award extra balls. If you manage to light the free ball, and both gate arrows, the visual of all the amber lights is very cool. With the flippers rebuilt and the dc pops, this game is FAST. I also love Gates and this game has 2. The artwork is spectacular. This one is a keeper for sure.

OK, this is the game that got me hooked in 1981 as a Junior in High school. I slammed more quarters in this than any other. Now I own a collection and I must say, this is my Number 2 all time fav behind Funhouse.

This game is brutal however, Its the most difficult game I have ever played. The left gutter is a killer and the middle drain-o seems to happen way to often. The right gate screws you as it lets a hard hit ball right through and out. The 4 yellow stand up targets are critical to the game and must be gotten in 1 ball or they reset. its difficult to get them in one ball. I consider myself an average to above average player and have only been able to achieve Multi-ball a few times since I bought it 4 months ago. That being said, I love that its so challenging, unlike Firepower which I get Multiball everytime, sometimes 2 or even 3 times a game. When you do get Multiball, you really feel like you accomplished something. I love the speed of the game, at times lightening fast, but usually a medium tempo game. I added LED's to mine, Purple and Blue, and it looks amazing. (And I usually prefer traditional lighting) Note: There are 24 volt lights in the lower PF! I learned the hard way and smoked 8 white LED's. I then re-wired it to the 6 volt circuit to accept the normal LED's. I was very pleased with the lighting on the lower PF, not so much with the top. I hung a Blue LED floodlight over the game and it made a huge difference in being able to clearly see the ball.
I have learned that this game is about survival. I play a lot of defense, I try and let the ball hit the flippers to slow it down and gain some control. Then I switch to offense and focus on those right yellow targets to light the captive hole. I do tjhis by hitting the captive hole repeatedly (IMO the easiest shot of the game) when the ball ejects, a skillfully (Hard to do...) shot can hit those yellow targets.

So I will wind this up by saying if you get the chance, at (almost) any price, I recommend buying this one!

Very fun game. Its challenging to try and get the extra ball, yet easy to keep the ball in play. Play seems slow but its a wide body, and I like it for a change of pace from fast newer games. Its relaxing to play, and has fun and interesting things to shoot for. I play it a lot and I have 17 games. Playfield is well lit and EZ to see. One thing I don't like is the glare from the BG, and I added soft glow LEDs but still has a Glare. if it weren't a widebody Id consider getting anti glare glass.

My favorite game hands down. I never get tired of jamming the ball down Rudys throat lol

I enjoy this simple but fun and addictive game. I set mine up to play fast.
Love the spinner shots and drop targets.
Outlanes are huge and at times frustrating.

At first I didn't like this one at all, but it has grown on me.
Not a huge fan of the Looping balls or the fact you cant "Hold" the ball on the flipper.
I do like the way it alternates the special light based on how many balls are on one side, when the ball drains it senses which side has more balls (by switches ingeniously places under ball path) and makes you work harder to get the free ball on the next turn. I like the wide open playfield, sometimes its fun just to nail it and watch it fly to the top with no obstacles. On the other hand, besides the looping balls and bonus advance, not much else going on and I get bored quickly.
LOVE the art work/theme.
Gorgeous machine.

Does not stack up well to the Williams and Gottlieb EM's of same era.
Boring theme for me.
I tried to set it up for fast play but still seems slow.
I don't like that you cant set it up for the special to award a free ball.
I do like the gate, I'm a fan of gates.
I do like the 100,000 point light, so when you roll it over you know you have 6 figures.
LOVE the door bell chimes instead of bells or those noisy Williams chimes.

I bought one because it was a good deal, but not really that into this machine. I adjusted the legs to play as fast as possible but at times it seems really slow. Sounds are terrible. Jets are weak, could be the age of the machine although its in great shape.

STILL ONE OF MY ALL TIME FAVS, LOVE THE FAST ACTION ON THIS TABLE!
I OWN ONE AND ITS WELL PLAYED.