pinballslave's ratings
Pinsider pinballslave has rated 149 machines.
This page shows all all these ratings, and forms pinballslave's personal top 149.
Rating comments
Litvinov
7.220/10
9 years ago
Lortium Juegos Populares, 1987
The major downside to this game is that there are no carry-over features from one ball to the next, at all! You are starting from exactly the same point on every ball... no progress at all! Apart from this, the game is, I think, excellent! I love the 'captive ball' design and how the inertia from the ball is transmitted via some unique wire forms to the elevated captive balls, I don't know any other game with this feature. There's also a cool buzzer-ball device that is activated by the ramp shot when it's lit for certain awards, it's quite loud! It's also quite a challenge to spell 'LORTIUM' and there are some other features in the gameplay that are quite appealing... the upper flipper is interesting placed, and there are some excellent sounds that are triggered by multiple shots... no background sound though, so you have to keep the ball hitting things to make it sing! :-)
7.165/10
9 years ago
Io Moon Sleic, 1996
This game has a lot of quirks about it that make it feel just different... like the score doesn´t have a zero at the end, the drop-targets don´t reset during the ball in play, after a game you can´t see your score (unless you got on the hi-score chart) There´s an auto-flip on the small upper right flipper that doesn´t seem to correct itself to aim the shot for the left scoop, so it invariably misses and is therefore an annoyance more than a benefit! Instead of a ball save timer there is a minimum score level... if a player scores below this (it's about 180,000) then he will get the ball back and any points scored will be removed from his score... there is nothing to indicate that your score is above or below this threshold, so unless you're paying attention to your score you'll not know if you'll get your ball back. I also notice that when multiball starts there are moments when flipper presses are not recognised, so during multiball start, expect some annoying ball drains... tip: try to catch the balls ´till the start sequence is over!! A raised flipper won´t drop, just attempts to flip result in zero flipper movement for certain moments during multiball start... It´s annoying of course, but when you know it´s there it kind of becomes part of the game :-)
The first thing you notice when you start the game is a low frequency rumble... it took about 20 games before I realised that this rumble is actually speech! It says: ´Wonderful thing is going to happen´... imagine it in the lowest possible frequency you can only just perceive... This opening statement is in stark contrast to the artwork, which depicts a crashed spaceship and a dead astronaut between the flippers with two of his colleagues in clear distress, presumably about to suffer the same fate... That´s the wonderful thing I guess is being referred to! To me, this gives the game an unintentional humorous slant ;-)
Strategy: After playing about 100games, it seems like the strategy is to try and start multiball (by spelling ORBITS) by hitting the central standup, which needs to be lit first via the right in-lane... The best way to get the right in-lane is the right ramp. Sometimes, however, the ramp diverter sends the ball to the left in-lane, and I haven't yet figured out how to control this diverter! Once ORBITS is spelt, shoot the ball lock. Lock 2 balls to start a 3 ball multiball. During multiball there are two jackpots to be got, one at 40mil available from the upper standup to the left of the left ramp entry, and one at 80mil available from the left ramp (has to be hit hard enough for the ball to spin in the ´black hole´ whirlpool saucer to hit the switch on the opposite side from where the ball enters... it´s not an easy shot! After the two jackpots are got (available in any order) I have no idea what the player is supposed to do if he still has more than one ball in play... It looks like the answer is: nothing... I need to play more to see if there is something else to do!!
The two scoops are where you collect the award shown on the Monolith, to light the scoops (both light simultaneously and both have the same effect of collecting the monolith award) you either have to roll over the switch above the right upper flipper (you can then use that flipper to then shoot for the left scoop and collect the award), or you roll over the left switch behind the drop targets (by making the shot at the planet when ball lock isn´t lit). The award lit can be changed by hitting one of the 5 pop bumpers. There is no ´get all the awards to light a wizard mode´ on this game. Some of the awards are simply points (3mil, 6mil and 9mil), others are kind of timed modes where you typically have 15seconds to get extra points for hitting things. One is the drop targets, which is kind of funny if they´re already knocked down because you have nothing to shoot at bearing in mind they don´t re-set during a ball! It seems, however, that the points from doing ´modes´ are quite small compared to the multiball jackpots, which makes them kind of pointless... literally!!
Drop targets: Get any 2 targets down and 10x bonus multiplier lights as an award at the upper right rollover. Get 2 more targets down and 10x bonus multiplier light is replaced by special lighting at the upper left rollover. Get the last drop target down and Extra Ball replaces special available at the middle rollover. This Extra Ball will stay lit for the rest of that ball in play or until collected. The start of the next ball will extinguish any lights lit at the rollovers. I managed to get them down in sequence once (probe 1 to probe 5) and was hoping for something special to happen, maybe that ´wonderful thing´ the game mentioned at the beginning... but it didn´t...
I did notice during one game that after going through a multiball and lighting ´ORBITS´ again and locking another ball, ´wonderful thing´ was displayed on the DMD and the ´Black hole´ light was lit under the 'Black Hole' ramp... I managed to make the shot and got some interesting DMD animation and I think 80mil... So I found the Wonderful Thing after all!! I guess there is scope for the code to make the game do different stuff if you progress further into it...
Skill shot: When your ball starts you will have Extra Ball lit on the monolith... Shoot the ball gently enough so as to roll down the lane to the upper right flipper without hitting the pops (which would move the light away from extra ball if you hit one). This will then light the scoop for Extra Ball which can then be collected by hitting the left scoop from the upper right flipper. Missing the shot will still leave extra ball lit unless, of course, the ball hits a pop in the meantime. If you miss the skill shot Extra ball, and your score is below the threshold needed to get your ball back, then one tactic is to let the ball drain so you can try again. If you get the extra ball, then when you play the extra ball, extra ball will not be lit as an award at the monolith. On the next ball, however, EB will be lit... With skill it means that each ball could be 2 balls, or even three if you also get the EB at the middle upper rollover after getting the 5 DTs down!
I need to play about another 500games I guess to see if there is much more to it than that!
The game seems quite robust from a design aspect, both from the electronics side and the playfield components side. It has Bally/Williams flipper mechs on the two main flippers.
It´s quite a drain monster with most games lasting around 2 to 4 mins... the outlanes are visited very regularly!!
From a fun aspect, I personally enjoy playing it because it feels quite tough to explore the strategy and code... I also like that it´s quite rare and I like the artwork and ridiculously low voice... The glowing ´molten rock´ effect on the pup bumpers is excellently done too, it really does look like volcanic rock that´s red hot inside.
The playfield layout is excellent I think with some tough shots... like the ORBITS shot which needs to be made through the 5 pops... beat that Lawler ;-) The only snag is that making the shot appears to have little effect on the gameplay :-( If the code was improved with a wizard mode for getting the monolith goals, and some extra stuff to do after getting the jackpots during multiball it would be so much better... It´s a real shame, but it seems like the code has let this game down...
The first thing you notice when you start the game is a low frequency rumble... it took about 20 games before I realised that this rumble is actually speech! It says: ´Wonderful thing is going to happen´... imagine it in the lowest possible frequency you can only just perceive... This opening statement is in stark contrast to the artwork, which depicts a crashed spaceship and a dead astronaut between the flippers with two of his colleagues in clear distress, presumably about to suffer the same fate... That´s the wonderful thing I guess is being referred to! To me, this gives the game an unintentional humorous slant ;-)
Strategy: After playing about 100games, it seems like the strategy is to try and start multiball (by spelling ORBITS) by hitting the central standup, which needs to be lit first via the right in-lane... The best way to get the right in-lane is the right ramp. Sometimes, however, the ramp diverter sends the ball to the left in-lane, and I haven't yet figured out how to control this diverter! Once ORBITS is spelt, shoot the ball lock. Lock 2 balls to start a 3 ball multiball. During multiball there are two jackpots to be got, one at 40mil available from the upper standup to the left of the left ramp entry, and one at 80mil available from the left ramp (has to be hit hard enough for the ball to spin in the ´black hole´ whirlpool saucer to hit the switch on the opposite side from where the ball enters... it´s not an easy shot! After the two jackpots are got (available in any order) I have no idea what the player is supposed to do if he still has more than one ball in play... It looks like the answer is: nothing... I need to play more to see if there is something else to do!!
The two scoops are where you collect the award shown on the Monolith, to light the scoops (both light simultaneously and both have the same effect of collecting the monolith award) you either have to roll over the switch above the right upper flipper (you can then use that flipper to then shoot for the left scoop and collect the award), or you roll over the left switch behind the drop targets (by making the shot at the planet when ball lock isn´t lit). The award lit can be changed by hitting one of the 5 pop bumpers. There is no ´get all the awards to light a wizard mode´ on this game. Some of the awards are simply points (3mil, 6mil and 9mil), others are kind of timed modes where you typically have 15seconds to get extra points for hitting things. One is the drop targets, which is kind of funny if they´re already knocked down because you have nothing to shoot at bearing in mind they don´t re-set during a ball! It seems, however, that the points from doing ´modes´ are quite small compared to the multiball jackpots, which makes them kind of pointless... literally!!
Drop targets: Get any 2 targets down and 10x bonus multiplier lights as an award at the upper right rollover. Get 2 more targets down and 10x bonus multiplier light is replaced by special lighting at the upper left rollover. Get the last drop target down and Extra Ball replaces special available at the middle rollover. This Extra Ball will stay lit for the rest of that ball in play or until collected. The start of the next ball will extinguish any lights lit at the rollovers. I managed to get them down in sequence once (probe 1 to probe 5) and was hoping for something special to happen, maybe that ´wonderful thing´ the game mentioned at the beginning... but it didn´t...
I did notice during one game that after going through a multiball and lighting ´ORBITS´ again and locking another ball, ´wonderful thing´ was displayed on the DMD and the ´Black hole´ light was lit under the 'Black Hole' ramp... I managed to make the shot and got some interesting DMD animation and I think 80mil... So I found the Wonderful Thing after all!! I guess there is scope for the code to make the game do different stuff if you progress further into it...
Skill shot: When your ball starts you will have Extra Ball lit on the monolith... Shoot the ball gently enough so as to roll down the lane to the upper right flipper without hitting the pops (which would move the light away from extra ball if you hit one). This will then light the scoop for Extra Ball which can then be collected by hitting the left scoop from the upper right flipper. Missing the shot will still leave extra ball lit unless, of course, the ball hits a pop in the meantime. If you miss the skill shot Extra ball, and your score is below the threshold needed to get your ball back, then one tactic is to let the ball drain so you can try again. If you get the extra ball, then when you play the extra ball, extra ball will not be lit as an award at the monolith. On the next ball, however, EB will be lit... With skill it means that each ball could be 2 balls, or even three if you also get the EB at the middle upper rollover after getting the 5 DTs down!
I need to play about another 500games I guess to see if there is much more to it than that!
The game seems quite robust from a design aspect, both from the electronics side and the playfield components side. It has Bally/Williams flipper mechs on the two main flippers.
It´s quite a drain monster with most games lasting around 2 to 4 mins... the outlanes are visited very regularly!!
From a fun aspect, I personally enjoy playing it because it feels quite tough to explore the strategy and code... I also like that it´s quite rare and I like the artwork and ridiculously low voice... The glowing ´molten rock´ effect on the pup bumpers is excellently done too, it really does look like volcanic rock that´s red hot inside.
The playfield layout is excellent I think with some tough shots... like the ORBITS shot which needs to be made through the 5 pops... beat that Lawler ;-) The only snag is that making the shot appears to have little effect on the gameplay :-( If the code was improved with a wizard mode for getting the monolith goals, and some extra stuff to do after getting the jackpots during multiball it would be so much better... It´s a real shame, but it seems like the code has let this game down...
6.125/10
11 years ago
Metal Man Inder, 1992
A rare game to find, and amazing moulded plastic playfield parts, really looks excellent from this perspective. Gameplay is a bit repetative though and I don't like the music. If it wasn't for the rarity and the beauty of the playfield artwork, mainly the moulded and lit plastic parts, I'd be selling this on... And of course a naked woman on the backglass is always a bonus, especially for when the mother-in-law is round :-) The cabinet is a nice unusual shape and the colours are beautiful on this. The flipper link design is total garbage on this game, I changed the flipper mechs for those from a Party Animal, which fit perfectly without having to change the coils!
7.545/10
11 years ago
Surf 'n Safari Gottlieb, 1991
More to this game than you'd expect (or at least than I expected!). When you get into the strategy of the game it becomes clear that if your aim is to max your points you really need to get 'double' going (which doubles not just your score, but also advance in the grid AND extra balls), so the strategy starts to become focussed on spelling 'double', which is a carry over feature... I guess it makes it interesting in a multiple player game because the guy before you can get 'doubl' so you then just need 'e' to start the double feature... To get letters you need to first advance 'the pipeline' to the top (5 shots) and then keep getting the ball in the pipeline after that to get letters (one shot in lights 'advance double' and the nest shot in gets a letter...), this can make gameplay a bit repetative because you keep going for the pipeline 'till double starts, and when you loose that ball (and therefore go back to normal scoring on the next ball) the urge is to get double going again!! Since there are two potential extra balls to get (4 if you get them while double is runnig) per grid completion, then if you get your gameplay fine tuned, you can probably get into an 'infinate game' situation where you can earn more extra balls than you lose!! I think this aspect of the game kind of lets the game down a bit... it would be better if it was only possible to get 'double' once per game, then after you've got it, you can focus on playing the game normally after that!
The sound effect when you start 'double' is crazy!! It's one of the best parts of the game!! :-)
When double is running, that's when the games comes to life! It's fun, there's lots of variety in the required shots (when you're not trying to get double!), and the plastic palm trees are real class!! The backglass artwork is also fun, especially if you have kids... spotting the animals is fun for them :-)
Apart from the repetative nature if you play to gety double running, what also lets the game down to me is that there's no bonus multiplier... and the right set of drop targets are totally useless, not playing a part in the game strategy at all!! Why they didn't make those drop targets the bonus miltiplier is beyond me, this game is begging for that to happen!! Each time you complete 'the grid' you get 5mil bonus, so it would be great to have a way to multiply that to add another dimension to the game...
The sound effect when you start 'double' is crazy!! It's one of the best parts of the game!! :-)
When double is running, that's when the games comes to life! It's fun, there's lots of variety in the required shots (when you're not trying to get double!), and the plastic palm trees are real class!! The backglass artwork is also fun, especially if you have kids... spotting the animals is fun for them :-)
Apart from the repetative nature if you play to gety double running, what also lets the game down to me is that there's no bonus multiplier... and the right set of drop targets are totally useless, not playing a part in the game strategy at all!! Why they didn't make those drop targets the bonus miltiplier is beyond me, this game is begging for that to happen!! Each time you complete 'the grid' you get 5mil bonus, so it would be great to have a way to multiply that to add another dimension to the game...
7.272/10
11 years ago
Corsario Inder, 1989
A very strange game in a lot of ways, but also very normal in a lot of others... The sounds are 'cute' and a nice change from the 'big 4'... I found the sounds and gameplay (and art) had a soothing effect in a way... after around 30 games on this machine I went to play Transformers, I was almost shocked by the aggressiveness of it compared to Corsario! the gameplay is based on getting extra balls and trying to score along the way... which of the 4 drop targets are down determine where the extra balls are (and other benefits, like opening the return gate on the right outlane). Get them all down and pretty much all the extra balls are lit (apart from 2). Another extra ball it lit by rolling over the middle rollover, and awarded by rolling over it again. Also, hitting the upper right target lights the extra ball in the middle shot through the spinner. All shots look easy, but they aren't!! Ball times are very short... The DTs don't reset when they're down, they are just to 'set the game up'.
Overall an interesting game which is a real novelty to play since it's so different from the majority of machines... It kind of has the feel of a child's redemption game, but the build quality of a proper pinball... maybe the artwork and sounds go a long way to creating this feeling...
The backglass art is on a 3D plastic moulded sheet by the way, with nothing in front of it to protect it... the example I played was free of vandalism, but I can imagine some idiots back when it was on site might like to see how a cigarette lighter effects the art... Would be a real shame to find one with this kind of damage (you see it a lot!) because this 'backglass' is very stunning when it's nice!
Overall an interesting game which is a real novelty to play since it's so different from the majority of machines... It kind of has the feel of a child's redemption game, but the build quality of a proper pinball... maybe the artwork and sounds go a long way to creating this feeling...
The backglass art is on a 3D plastic moulded sheet by the way, with nothing in front of it to protect it... the example I played was free of vandalism, but I can imagine some idiots back when it was on site might like to see how a cigarette lighter effects the art... Would be a real shame to find one with this kind of damage (you see it a lot!) because this 'backglass' is very stunning when it's nice!
8.576/10
11 years ago
Transformers (LE) Stern, 2011
I was a bit worried that the modes/strategy would be as weak as this machines predecessor (TRON) so was very wary about buying another NIB machine, but am very pleased I decided to take the plunge... It's an adrenaline fueled game, the shots are clearly indicated to the player, the modes are satisfying and with some depth to them... and there's some nice interaction between various aspects of the game (getting All Sparks lit while in a timed mode to increase the time, getting Bumblebee into double scoring at the right time, combining modes with the two major multiballs...). Combine this with the option to play as an Autobot or a Decepticon and you have a pretty varied game with a lot going on... I also love the artwork/colour scheme and like the split colours the combo version has. I also like the idea of adding more toys from Hasbro and being able to keep these add-ons in keeping with the theme of the game... It has plenty of toys for sure, but why not add a couple more... And the toys that are there, they all move to one degree or another... A full on game with a truck load of stuff to engrose the player! Can't think of any real downside to this game... I made a couple of tweaks to mine to iron out some hardware bugs (All Sparks bounce out and Optimus Prime sensitivity) but nothing major...
After playing around 500games since I wrote the above review, I'd say that the game is still good, but after becoming familiar with the code, I can see that it could be made a lot better... Ironhide awards could be more varied for example, modes could have a special bonus for completing in the first visit, like removing a needed shot from the lead MB mode of that faction. I still like the fact that 'what to do' is clearly indicated. I also like the strategy of building shot multipliers and trying to make sure that while in RO or AHM mini-wizard modes that at least 2x is lit at All Sparks before collecting the 'double what you got to that point' shot... Why 'hold shot multipliers; isn't an award at Ironhide, or even an All Sparks award is a mystery to me... such hard work to get these lit, and no way to keep them lit for the next ball... Come on Lonny, listen to the players!!
After playing around 500games since I wrote the above review, I'd say that the game is still good, but after becoming familiar with the code, I can see that it could be made a lot better... Ironhide awards could be more varied for example, modes could have a special bonus for completing in the first visit, like removing a needed shot from the lead MB mode of that faction. I still like the fact that 'what to do' is clearly indicated. I also like the strategy of building shot multipliers and trying to make sure that while in RO or AHM mini-wizard modes that at least 2x is lit at All Sparks before collecting the 'double what you got to that point' shot... Why 'hold shot multipliers; isn't an award at Ironhide, or even an All Sparks award is a mystery to me... such hard work to get these lit, and no way to keep them lit for the next ball... Come on Lonny, listen to the players!!
6.693/10
12 years ago
Class of 1812 Gottlieb, 1991
A very strange game with some interesting toys and weird ramps/ball locks... Only played 2 games on it, so gard to get a feel for the depth, but personally I fin't the artwork too 'ugly' to want to own it, and therefore play it more!
6.789/10
12 years ago
Bone Busters Inc. Gottlieb, 1989
A very odd playfield layout that I like... the ball has a habbit of appearing in strange places... some unique stuff on this game for sure! A surprising game, highly recommended to play and experience it!
7.458/10
12 years ago
Serenade Alben, 1959
I like the artwork on this game more than anything else... very detailed art on the backglass and the women on the playfield are absolutely beautiful... Game play is not up to a lot, but it's so gorgous that I don't mind at all... The game play could be a lot worse, but there's not the compelling strategy of some other games of this era.
7.811/10
12 years ago
Humpty Dumpty Gottlieb, 1947
The game is not deep of course, but the buzz of playing the first game ever to have flippers more than makes up for the lack of depth... you're plaing a piece of history and an intique... who needs complex rules to make it thrilling!!
5.334/10
12 years ago
Captain Fantastic and the Brown Dirt Cowboy Bally, 1977
Anothger average game, really nothing special in any department... the third flipper makes hitting the DT's more fun, but there's not a lot to keep the player coming back for more...
8.185/10
12 years ago
Playboy Rally, 1967
I love this game... it's unique in many ways... love the way the sling shots and pop bumpers work, love the strange squeeky sounds, love the nixi-tube displays, love the way the ball gets to the shooter lane, love the lighting that illuminated the pops and slings... looks great in the dark! Sure the rules are far from deep, but it's a joy to play due to the other amazing features...
7.379/10
12 years ago
Straight Shooter Gottlieb, 1959
Very chalenging strategy game, very frustrating when you mess it up, but very satisfying when it works out... accurate shooting required to get the big credits. If your aim is out and you hit the wrong target at the wrong time, then all your effort can be scrwed up! A real credit/gambling type game... don't play for points on this or you'll not 'get' it, you have to play for credits!
8.311/10
12 years ago
Frontiersman Gottlieb, 1955
You have to play this game for credits, or it doesn't make any sense, like most woodrails! Excellent strategy game, love the gobble hole, love the carry over feature on the backglass... was searching for this game for ages, and very glad to find it!
6.269/10
12 years ago
Strange Science Bally, 1986
The Atom Smasher is a unique feature and way of achieveing multiball, this is certainly the hilight of the game. Apart from that, there's not much else going on. The shoy up the centre of the playfield to 'load the ball' to the upper flipper (to load the atom smasher) is a drain monster, same with the 'anti gravity ramp'... and ball that fails to get round the upper bend has a 50% change of going SDTM, so it annoying... best is to avoid that centre shot, and especially the anti-gravitly ramp... which basically means avoiding the entire middle of the playfield... Which is not what pinball's about!
5.382/10
12 years ago
Gilligan's Island Bally, 1991
An interesting game, just wish the music and artwork were better!! Like the big rotating disc/toy to divert the ball.
8.300/10
12 years ago
Congo Williams, 1995
Why did I sell this game!!?? I liked it, so why did I sell it!!?? I didn't even get a good price for it!! If I want to guy one now I'd be lucky to get one for twice what I sold mine for... I really wanted to play the game more than I did, it looked great and sounded good, but I sold it way before I had chance to know it well enough to really decide of I should sell it or not... I realise this is not a constructive review, but the point is, it's a good game... so if you manage to get one, don't sell it unless you realise you really don't like it!!
7.780/10
12 years ago
Sharkey's Shootout Stern, 2000
The modern version of Eight Ball Deluxe... a nice game, not sure I'd want one though since I have EBD, and this is just too similar...
7.513/10
12 years ago
TRON: Legacy (LE) Stern, 2011
This review is for the LE version, so it gets a higher rating if only for the excellent lights on the ramps!! I wanted to love this game, but it was a big dissapointment... The downsides for me:
1) They still use crappy material for the lane divides that are tarnished pretty much as they leave the factory... I'd have thought they'd have chromed these by now.
2) There's still the clunky sounds familiar as far back as when Stern were DE... the sounds, for some reason, seem to escape the cabinet more than BW games... flippers, pop bumpers, sling shots can all be heard very loudly by the player. The spinning disk is also crazily noisey.
3) The shot to GEM is so tight that the focus of the game is to get this one shot in order to complete the central column. I had to modify mty game to make the shot actually shootable!
4) The game doesn't communicate with the player very well at all... it's not easy to figure out what's going on at any one time, making strategy pretty difficult to apply... Once I read how the game works for each mode (i.e. how to get each light solid in the central column) then I could play better, but it really does require this info to be printed off and used as a referance while playing... not easy to refer to while playing the game!! Of course, after several 100 games, I'd hope the 'what you have to do' will become obvious... I say 'what you have to do' instead of strategy because I don't see simply completing something by doing something specific as a strategy...
5) The timers, represented by the smallest possible lines on the DMD, for all of the timed modes are very difficult to keep an eye on, especially bearing in mind the player is playing pinball, and the timer bars are miniscule. They're also not identified, so if you have more than one timer active, again, without the rule sheet to refer to, you don't know what timer relates to what mode... getting a crib sheet out while severl timers are counting down is also counter-productive... best just to shoot at everything that's lit and hope you're going for something that's relevant!
6) The DMD graphics are kind of lame... why don't Stern take a leaf out of Bally Williams book and make decent graphics that are clear and fun. Also, 1/3 of the DMD is dedicated to displaying the players scores and the very difficult to see timer bars!
7) There's not a lot of strategy in the game, it's basically try and get the lights in the central column lit solid and then start portal multiball... of course there's some strategy along the way of how's best to do this, and how to score loads of points along the way, but never the less, it just seems shallow.
8) Toys...!! I like modern games to have at least one animated toy that has some relevance to the game... this has none! Thank God for the LCD mod to the TRON vid cab... can't wait to get it!!
I've only had about 30 games on it, so hopefully it will get better!! Edit: It didn't so I sold it.
1) They still use crappy material for the lane divides that are tarnished pretty much as they leave the factory... I'd have thought they'd have chromed these by now.
2) There's still the clunky sounds familiar as far back as when Stern were DE... the sounds, for some reason, seem to escape the cabinet more than BW games... flippers, pop bumpers, sling shots can all be heard very loudly by the player. The spinning disk is also crazily noisey.
3) The shot to GEM is so tight that the focus of the game is to get this one shot in order to complete the central column. I had to modify mty game to make the shot actually shootable!
4) The game doesn't communicate with the player very well at all... it's not easy to figure out what's going on at any one time, making strategy pretty difficult to apply... Once I read how the game works for each mode (i.e. how to get each light solid in the central column) then I could play better, but it really does require this info to be printed off and used as a referance while playing... not easy to refer to while playing the game!! Of course, after several 100 games, I'd hope the 'what you have to do' will become obvious... I say 'what you have to do' instead of strategy because I don't see simply completing something by doing something specific as a strategy...
5) The timers, represented by the smallest possible lines on the DMD, for all of the timed modes are very difficult to keep an eye on, especially bearing in mind the player is playing pinball, and the timer bars are miniscule. They're also not identified, so if you have more than one timer active, again, without the rule sheet to refer to, you don't know what timer relates to what mode... getting a crib sheet out while severl timers are counting down is also counter-productive... best just to shoot at everything that's lit and hope you're going for something that's relevant!
6) The DMD graphics are kind of lame... why don't Stern take a leaf out of Bally Williams book and make decent graphics that are clear and fun. Also, 1/3 of the DMD is dedicated to displaying the players scores and the very difficult to see timer bars!
7) There's not a lot of strategy in the game, it's basically try and get the lights in the central column lit solid and then start portal multiball... of course there's some strategy along the way of how's best to do this, and how to score loads of points along the way, but never the less, it just seems shallow.
8) Toys...!! I like modern games to have at least one animated toy that has some relevance to the game... this has none! Thank God for the LCD mod to the TRON vid cab... can't wait to get it!!
I've only had about 30 games on it, so hopefully it will get better!! Edit: It didn't so I sold it.
3.219/10
12 years ago
Star Trek Bally, 1979
This is the game that got me started on pinball and the game I probably have played more than any other game... so I know what I'm talking about when I say that it's truely a very bad and boring game!
1.263/10
12 years ago
Super Mario Bros. Gottlieb, 1992
Has got to be in my personal top 10 of mosted hated games... just plain horrible!!
2.034/10
12 years ago
RollerCoaster Tycoon Stern, 2002
I really hate this game... the artwork, the sounds and the gameplay are all bad... but to be fair, my knowledge of the gameplay os a bit limited because I can't stand to play it enough to be able to really become one with the gameplay, even though I had one set up in my house for a while...
4.037/10
12 years ago
Rolling Stones Bally, 1980
A boring game to play... if you're a fan of the group, then this would be the only reason to want this pin in my opinion... or you collected pinballs and you really want to have them all... or you collect pinballs and are mainly interested in games that have value as a kind of boasting thing... Or for some bizzarre reason you just happen to be attracted by the game play... or it has some nostalgic connection with your youth... I think that covers it...
6.929/10
12 years ago
Dungeons & Dragons Bally, 1987
Definitely an interesting game with probably one of the most difficult shots in pinball...
8.586/10
12 years ago
Cha-Cha-Cha Sega, 1978
The rarity and uniqueness of this game makes it score high in my ratings. The double set of flippers are great and the playfield layout is excellent. The artwork package is excellent too and the odd shaped widebody cab design adds to the charm of this game. The fact that I've never seen one or know of anyone who has one all adds to the extreme pleasure I would surely have to own one... or even just to see one!! A definite keeper for me if I ever found one!! I realise that I'm breaking the Pinside rules for rating this game having never played it, but with a game of this age I strongly believe that by studying the playfield it's easy to have a good stab at knowing how the games plays, and that's not such a big relevance compared to the novilty/rarity and artwork that this machine has... all of which can be evaluated without playing the game.
7.382/10
12 years ago
Bad Cats Williams, 1989
Entertaining game, remember playing it when it came out, but never owned one... a pin I'd definitly pick up if one came along at the right price to play it more now! Like the backbox animation!
6.800/10
12 years ago
Solar Fire Williams, 1981
Not a bad game, but not great either... probably the worst of the 4 'quadrilogy' of games Williams put out at the time, but the most desireable due to the rarity... Much prefer Black Knight and Pahroh... Don't know what pinball Letter K is talking about below me, because this is not a wide-body game.
8.000/10
12 years ago
Atlantis Bally, 1989
A relaxing game to play, there's a slowness to it that I like, and the artwork is great for the era (most games had very naff artwork at the time this was put out). Simple game, but very nice at the same time! Wish I'd have kept the one I had...!
3.722/10
12 years ago
South Park Sega, 1999
Very bad game to play. Strategy is very shallow, and the artwork doesn't compensate for it enough to make it a game I'd actually want to play! Played it for a while to see if I'd like it... but didn't.
5.828/10
12 years ago
Royal Rumble (WWF) Data East, 1994
A very good game in terms of playability... lots of things to go for, and I like the mini-playfield... fun to play too, and good strategy (for me). The artwork and theme are absolute crap though in my opinion, and destroy this game totally. If the artwork coule be changed to something more... beautiful... it would be great! A great game to re-theme!
3.316/10
12 years ago
Harlem Globetrotters On Tour Bally, 1979
Probably one of the most boring games ever made... very little to shoot for and almost no strategy that I could work out... I like games of this era to have drop targets, and this lacks them.
4.297/10
12 years ago
Star Wars Trilogy Sega, 1997
Not being a fan of the theme, this game has a tough time impressing me... not bad to play though, and the DT's make it fun for me, but the theme and music is just too much for me to bear to make me want to play it!
3.088/10
12 years ago
Silverball Mania Bally, 1980
Boaring game and boring artwork... seems very similar to Space Invaders but a standard width game and worse art.
8.638/10
12 years ago
The Amazing Spider-Man Gottlieb, 1980
Beautiful machine and a nice solid system 80A game... always a pleasure to play due to the artwork and nostalgic feel... it seems system 80As have a certaing magic to them!
3.739/10
12 years ago
Jack*Bot Williams, 1995
It seems tike as this trilogy advanced that games became more ugly! (actually, that's not true because I think BoP is nicer than Pinbot... maybe more naff is the right phrase). Not a pin I can get into.
1.808/10
12 years ago
Street Fighter II Gottlieb, 1993
Probably the most ugly pinball ever made... even worse that TFTC, and that takes some doing!! First thing I did when I got to own this game is break it for parts... it looks so bad I couldn't even bring myself to even try anf get the thing going!!
3.820/10
12 years ago
F-14 Tomcat Williams, 1987
My liking of this game is dominated by the terrible artwork and theme... it looks so bad that I really can't stand to play it enough to see if it's actually a good game or not!
4.639/10
12 years ago
Dirty Harry Williams, 1995
This game has a lot of depth and great for finding hidden strategy... just a shame it's so ugly!!
5.178/10
12 years ago
The Simpsons Data East, 1990
A very average game... woulkd be a lot better if the theme and artwork was something else!
6.676/10
12 years ago
Indiana Jones Stern, 2008
I initially rated this mistaking it for the Williams game... Fixed now... Only actually played the Stern once, but wasn't impressed.
3.119/10
12 years ago
Last Action Hero Data East, 1993
Horrible looking game... and the sounds really suck! Playability wise it's not too bad, but unfortunately suffers from the old DE quality issues of inferior materials, sound insulation (sounds clonky) etc...
3.268/10
12 years ago
No Fear: Dangerous Sports Williams, 1995
Not a fan of the artwork or theme at all... Had the game for a while, and the gameplay didn't inspire me either.
4.161/10
12 years ago
Swords of Fury Williams, 1988
An interesting game from a playability point of view, but the sounds are really annoying... much too aggressive for my liking... If you're looking for a Medieval Knights kind of game, Black Knight is much better from an artwork and sounds viewpoint, but this is all my own opinion of course...
6.337/10
12 years ago
The Flintstones Williams, 1994
Enjoyed playing the game for a while, but it soon became boring and I realised I was only playing it because it was a pinball.
4.521/10
12 years ago
Who Dunnit Bally, 1995
Could never really get into this game... the big ramp in the middle made the playfield very cramped and not to my taste, and it looks awful, so can't pull myself to play it for long enough to even know how good or deep the rule-set is.
6.628/10
12 years ago
Star Wars Episode I Williams, 1999
For me, the better of the 2 Pin 2Ks, but not a fan of this innovation, so that instantly sets the game back for me. Enjoyed playing it while it was in the house, but Jar Jar became simply too annoying for me to want to keep it!! (I was also scared that thing would break down and I'd have no way to fix it!).
8.554/10
12 years ago
Demolition Man Williams, 1994
A very fast and engaging game with nice lighting and great fun to play... It's rare that a game with such bad artwork like this makes me want to own it!!
6.623/10
12 years ago
Safe Cracker Bally, 1996
Only played this game a few times, I remember it was fun, but the small size makes the playfield quite cluttered with no possibility of long shots.
2.956/10
12 years ago
Star Wars Data East, 1992
One of those games I really don't like to play... had one set up for ages, but just didn't enjoy it... it had it's good sides, but overall it left me cold. The artwork is really... Data East!
5.671/10
12 years ago
Johnny Mnemonic Williams, 1995
The artwork and theme of this game is what puts me off... otherwise it's a great game... but for me, how the game looks is just as important as how it plays... bit like a woman I suppose ;-)
5.432/10
12 years ago
Indianapolis 500 Bally, 1995
Not a motorsport fan, so this game is not for me... although game-play wise it has some nice features, like the accelerator that flings the ball out at some crazy speed.
7.929/10
12 years ago
Family Guy Stern, 2007
Love the mini-playfield and the game is a lot of fun, but artwork wise I'm left a bit cold... like TSPP, I love the TV series, but staring at the characters while playing pinball isn't my cup of tea... obviously the designers are quite restricted in what they can do of course, but it does affect my overall rating and pleasure from the game.
7.272/10
12 years ago
The Simpsons Pinball Party Stern, 2003
I'v not played this enough to get to grips with the apparent depth of the game, and would like to play it more... but the artwork is what put's me off... I like the show, but for some reason staring at Homer Simpson when I play pinball just doesn't do a lot for me!
9.020/10
12 years ago
Spider-Man Stern, 2007
Really need to track one of these down to play it more!! Seemed like an excellent game all round. Fortunaltely the Balck version means that the Red version is cheaper than it would be if the Black didn't exist, which is great because I prefer red!!
7.354/10
12 years ago
Champion Pub Bally, 1998
An interesting game to play, but the theme and artwork don't do it for me. I do like the change back to a silk-screen printed backglass though, just a shame they chose this game to do it on!
7.892/10
12 years ago
Theatre of Magic Bally, 1995
A nice game, but for me a bit too focussed on the trunk, and I have a personal dislike of the voice used on this and other Popadiuk games, I find them to polished and clever, with no 'humour' element... give me a crappy 80's electronic 'robotic' voice anyday to the very well spoken and clear almost 'cocky' voice of this machine ;-)
6.769/10
12 years ago
Pinbot Williams, 1986
A nice classic game from the mid 80's (I think), the lock mechanism is very nice and gameplay is good... not an outstanding game for me, and the artwork lacks what would make it a keeper, but that's very subective of course
7.843/10
12 years ago
Centaur Bally, 1981
Another classic from the early 80's. The excellent 'say it again' sound board gives a great echo effect to the ominous voice of half man half motorbike geezer that I assume is the person/thing talking... personally, although the artwork is very striking, I'm not as big a fan of it as most... I just find the whole motorbike/leather/biker monster/chick with implanted sunglasses thing a bit too cheesy and kitch, but without the beauty that some kitch offers.
6.456/10
12 years ago
Mary Shelley's Frankenstein Sega, 1995
I need to play this game more to really appreciate the ins and outs of it... but the artwork and the mutalated Elvis lookalike model in the playfield kind of puts me off wanting one!
6.324/10
12 years ago
Banzai Run Williams, 1988
The playfield inside the backbox is a very nice feature and provides an interesting totally different ball physics to the playfield... the ball is about 20times faster at falling down! So reaction times when playing up there need to be lightening fast!!
7.783/10
12 years ago
Flash Gordon Bally, 1981
A great game with good strategy bearing in mind it's from the 80s... if you want a game from this era, and you like the look of this, you won't be dissapointed with the game play... probably!
8.680/10
12 years ago
Pinball Magic Capcom, 1995
This is an amazing game, the magnetic wand is genius as you release the ball that rolls underneath the wand (the wand is a big electro-magnet that you turn off with the flipper button) and time the ball to land in the mouth of a 'critic'. And the floating ball 'trick' is funny to see... how does it do that ;-). Beautiful artwork too, and great lighting effects! If Capcom only kept going, they could make something out of this world... I don't know, maybe even themed on a bar in outer space!! :-)
The BIG thing that lets this game down is that there absolutely NO strategy at all... none (from what I can remember)... just do the tricks in the same order in every game... I think every 6th trick there's a kind of 'mini wizard mode'... this is what really lets the game down... that and the incredibly annoying voice of one of the magicians... imagine the voice of an old squalky parrot, and then say in this voice quickly and as annoyingly as possible 'swallow the sword!' and you hear this every game you have (because I think it's the first trick). The same voice appears later for other tricks... After playing the game a few hundred times, that voice will be imprinted in your memory forever and haunt you to your grave!
The BIG thing that lets this game down is that there absolutely NO strategy at all... none (from what I can remember)... just do the tricks in the same order in every game... I think every 6th trick there's a kind of 'mini wizard mode'... this is what really lets the game down... that and the incredibly annoying voice of one of the magicians... imagine the voice of an old squalky parrot, and then say in this voice quickly and as annoyingly as possible 'swallow the sword!' and you hear this every game you have (because I think it's the first trick). The same voice appears later for other tricks... After playing the game a few hundred times, that voice will be imprinted in your memory forever and haunt you to your grave!
7.163/10
12 years ago
Jurassic Park Data East, 1993
Known as 'the poor mans TAF', apparently... enjoyed it, and liked seeing the T Rex eat the ball, but wouldn't be a keeper... the build quality of this ear DE pins makes them quite clangy and clunky, so that puts me off.
8.200/10
12 years ago
Junk Yard Williams, 1996
After having this game set up in my house for several months and playing it to death, I realised I was bored with it, but it did take a while... sometimes a pin goes out not because you're bored, but because you want to make space for something else (I could only have 2 set up at a time!!). This was the former reason... still, I recommend it to anyone, the wrecking ball is a great toy, and hitting the jackpot hole at the beack is very satisfying... funny video modes too!
5.272/10
12 years ago
Corvette Bally, 1994
I did have this game for a while and did want to like it, but failed! I should have probably played it more before moving it on, but where does the time come from!? I'm not a sports car person, so the theme doesn't help!
5.406/10
12 years ago
Black Knight 2000 Williams, 1989
I know a lot of people disagree, but I think this is just a crap version of the original... in all aspects... the art, the sound and the gameplay are not a patch on the classic of the early 80's... yes it more clever and has targets that are lowered on a motor, but I don't really care about that... and the art is like a goofy comic version compared to the classic original...
7.213/10
12 years ago
Judge Dredd Bally, 1993
Definitely a lot going on with lots of depth (well, just the right amount for me!), and some drop targets for once on a DMD game! I like is, but I'm not a fan of the theme or artwork, so don't want one.
8.220/10
12 years ago
Black Rose Bally, 1992
If one came up at the right price I'd buy it... I've enjoyed it every time I played it!! I did buy one once, but it was in a foreign country a long way from home, it was broken, it was cheap, so I stripped it for parts and brought them home in my suitcase... and yes, I do feel bad about it! Funnily enough it was in a brothel, but I really was only there to look at the pin... honest!!
8.000/10
12 years ago
Terminator 2: Judgment Day Williams, 1991
A good game all round really, just not an excellent game... love the gun... remember playing this game to death when it first came out...
2.558/10
12 years ago
Tales from the Crypt Data East, 1993
Ugly mother f***ing thing... how could anyone want this in their home... and with the clangy build quality... Funnily enough I did have it in my home for a few months to try and get into it... to give it a fair shot, but it was so horrible I couldn't stand playing it, so never really got to know how deep the rules were!!
5.346/10
12 years ago
World Cup Soccer Bally, 1994
I simply don't like football, so find it very hard to enjoy this game... it might have excellent rules, but I just don't like the theme, so it puts me off playing it!
7.292/10
12 years ago
Not sure how this rates differently from TAF... But if there's anyone reading this that may be interested in knowing what the game's like, it's very similar to TAF (if you know that one), but with gold trim and some playfield stuff... it may also have a deeper rule-set...
6.876/10
12 years ago
Elvira and the Party Monsters Bally, 1989
Real middle of the road game for me... there's something about the theme and artwork that leave me cold though... although the idea is that I'm HOT!
7.464/10
12 years ago
The Who's Tommy Pinball Wizard Data East, 1994
I live the flipper blinds, a great idea, should be repeated!! Enjoyable game, just not one I'd want to own 'cos I think it's too ugly!
9.080/10
12 years ago
Pirates of the Caribbean Stern, 2006
Beautiful looking game that's fun to play! Not played it enough (never owned one) to know it intimately, but it's on my wants list!
5.807/10
12 years ago
Earthshaker Williams, 1989
Has a nice strategy for it's age, but I just don't like the artwork, and for me, the way a game looks is important, so it gets a low rating...
7.538/10
12 years ago
Revenge From Mars Bally, 1999
Not really a fan of pin 2ks, the monitor is entertaining for a while, but it's like having the TV stuck on one episode of one cartoon... it soon gets boring and you want to change the channel! Ball not seen enough etc... no wonder Willims folded after this...
6.099/10
12 years ago
The Getaway: High Speed II Williams, 1992
I realy wanted to like this game, and tried hard, but I just found it too repetative, to boring, not enough depth, and a theme and artwork that didn't make up for it... so it failed to impress me! Multiball was excellent though, very satisfying when you get the superjackpot... that bit was engaging, but the rest left me cold!
7.033/10
12 years ago
No Good Gofers Williams, 1997
I've only played this game a few times, so not in a great position to say how good it is... but I do remember I enjoyed the game, bit find the artwork terrible, which I think is the idea! An amusing game for sure, and the weird shot to the hole on the upper piece of perspex is a bit random and unique.
7.445/10
12 years ago
Fish Tales Williams, 1992
A nice enjoyable fun game... not had one set up in the house though to really give it a good 'testing'. I wasn't a fan of the closed playfield made by that middle double loop thing, I think that put me off the game more than anything else...
9.340/10
12 years ago
Cactus Canyon Bally, 1998
This would have been a definite keeper if it wasn't for that fact that it simply had too much money tied up in it!! For the cost of this game, you can get 4 or 5 other games that will give you a lot more fun... but of course if money is no object, then get one! The 'Bad Guy' targets are excellent, Hitting the Bart Bros figure is a laugh, the humour is great, and although the strategy isn't deep I still enjoyed playing it.
6.027/10
12 years ago
Whirlwind Williams, 1990
Kind of a middle of the road game for me... the artwork is it's biggest drawback... enjoyable game non-the-less, and the artwork's not so bad that I can't bare to look at it... far from a keeper though for me!
7.508/10
12 years ago
The Shadow Bally, 1994
A nice game for sure, but the artwork and klangy ramp diverters put me off... I think the forced complexity of the game also make it hard to feel really comfortable with... I don't like to think too much while playing pinball... I do enough of that at work!!
5.830/10
12 years ago
Guns N' Roses Data East, 1994
A great fun game with lots going on, but not being a fan of G'n'R, the game takes a big hit for me. If you're a fan of G'n'R, then go for it!!
7.484/10
12 years ago
Creature from the Black Lagoon Bally, 1992
A nice game for sure, just a bit too shallow in the rules for it to be a keeper for me... but I do like this game on many levels...
4.042/10
12 years ago
FunHouse Williams, 1990
One of those games that you either love or hate, and I swing to the latter side... Rudy is an annoying little s**t in my opinion, and the artwork is terribe... when the game looks as bad as this and has the annoyance factor that Rudy adds, the gameplay and strategy take a back seat because I just don't enjoy playing it.
6.926/10
12 years ago
Star Trek: The Next Generation Williams, 1993
I'm not a big fan of this game... a bit too much cleverness, but not as much as others I admit... one thing that annoys me most is the sling shot shape and how the ball bounces along them towards the out-lanes... it's very difficult to nudge at the right time so save the ball, and you can't see clearly when the ball makes contact so that nudging can be timed just right... and this is one game you don't want to waste energy nudging cos of it's weight!! I'm also not a big fan of the 'mode based' games... start the mode, do the next one, do the next one... and when you do them all, you do the last one... the strategy is very shallow this way... like IJ, TZ, TAF etc...
7.860/10
12 years ago
Cirqus Voltaire Bally, 1997
Stunning game to look at, and playing it is good fun too... the thing I personally don't like about the game is that the voice is kind of too polished, too clear, too clever... the whole thing has a aire of cleverness that for some reason goes against the grain with me... like most Popadiuk's... Maybe I need to give this game more time and I might love it though! After playing it again recently I find another annoying thing is that the right return lane is totally obscured by the neon tube... I like to see the ball rolling to the flipper so I can judge the timing... also I'm not a fan of the return/out lane divide on this game... and again, on the right it#'s impossble to nudge effectived to make the ball go the irght way because this area the ball bounces in is covered by the neon ramp...
1.883/10
12 years ago
Doctor Who Bally, 1992
Probably the wort pinball ever made... OK, maybe not, it's a Bally/Williams, so the build quality is good... but I do dislike the game a LOT... I had it set up in the house for a while, but it didn't take long before the sounds and the repetative gameplay were driving me crazy! The artwork is absolutely awful, and I hate Dr Who, so this game does nothing at all for me except make me want to be as far from it as I can! I exaggerate a bit, but it was driving me nuts!!
7.236/10
12 years ago
The Addams Family Bally, 1992
I really don't know why people rate this game as highly as they do! I had it set up for a while, but found it a bit tedious and repetative. It was fun for a while though, and the bookcase opening thing is nice. I don't like very much the mode based games where the strategy isn't very deep and just based on getting the modes complete and going for the wizard mode.
5.582/10
12 years ago
Scared Stiff Bally, 1996
I thought I was going to like this game, but after having it set up in my house for about 6 months I realised that the double entendre humour just got a bit tedious after a while... haha, she said 'stiff' again... and again... and again... and again... I hope she says it again soon... it's really funny... er, I think not... I love silly humour, which is why I like Roadshow, Whitewater and MM, but this just left me wanting to get it out... not a keeper.
7.623/10
12 years ago
Tales of the Arabian Nights Williams, 1996
A truely beautiful game, but what I don't like about this game is that it has a feeling of being too clever... the speech is kind of 'not fun'... personally I prefer less squeeky clean voices... the game play is also a bit shallow... excellent dots though and good magnet use... great ramps too... but just too clever.
6.304/10
12 years ago
Lord of the Rings Stern, 2003
The big thing that really lets this game down for me is that it's totally totally depressing! There is absolutely no humour at all... it takes itself way way too seriously! When I play pinball I like to be entertained, not dragged down some serious and gloomy road... The rule set may be deep, and it looks very impressive, but after I had this game set up in my house for a few months I just had to get it out cos I simply didn't enjoy playing it.
7.515/10
12 years ago
Indiana Jones: The Pinball Adventure Williams, 1993
A great game, but for me one that soon becomes tiring... I find the sound clips too repetative and tend to get on my nerves after a while... and another game that takes things too seriously IMO. I love the tilting mini playfield though and the wizard mode!
7.993/10
12 years ago
Monster Bash Williams, 1998
I love the toys on this game, and the theme is great... but for some reason I just don't get as much of a kick out of playing it as I'd expect... and I don't really know why... not a keeper for me.
8.364/10
12 years ago
Attack from Mars Bally, 1995
This would be one of my top games if MM didn't exist... but it's just too similar to that game, and because I prefer trolls, collapsing castles and baryard multiball, then the AFM takes a back seat for me...
7.947/10
12 years ago
Twilight Zone Bally, 1993
A nice game when you play it for the first few times, but I got a bit bored after a while... the dark playfield and the humour kind of grated with me... it takes itself too seriously I think...
8.441/10
12 years ago
Xenon Bally, 1980
Truely beautiful machine... I remember seeing this as a kid for the first time in an arcade in the Isle of White (White Sands I think it was called). I was so excited to see it that I was speechless... if I was prone to prostrate problems I'd have probably wet myself! The only thing that lets it down id the gameply... it is quite weak!
9.320/10
12 years ago
White Water Williams, 1993
The 5x playfield feature is what makes the game strategy compelling for me... I don't know why more games don't have this! You have to set things up so that 5x playfield is activated at the right time... ideally just before starting multiball, but trying to make sure you're as close to Wet Willies as possible (thus maximising the jackpot). Also love that the 2 and 3 x jackpot are based on how many balls you get up insanity falls as soon as they come out... the timimng of the insanity falls ramp to put the ball back on the left flipper is also genius... I just wish 5x playfield meant exactly that (certain things don't get the 5x treatment, like Vacation jackpot and 2x and 3x multiball jackpot). if it did apply to everything, it would be even better!! The humour is just excellent too!! Dennis Nordman's finest hour!
7.453/10
12 years ago
Space Invaders Bally, 1980
Truely beautiful game, but the gameplay is a real dissapointment.
7.515/10
12 years ago
Sinbad Gottlieb, 1978
I never imagined that I'd like this game, it looked shallow and boring, but when I played it I found that I was almost instantly addicted to it... the games are quick, but the strategy and aiming required make it compelling... a great game to play with friends for 'matchstics' or money if you prefer... put the matchstics (or money) in a pot, and whenever anyone gets a credit, they take a stick, then the game reveals it's hidden charm. I'd never thought I'd want to keep this game, but it's now a definite keeper!
8.457/10
12 years ago
Road Show Williams, 1994
The use of the dummy heads is great, far better than Funhouse where Rudy is just a pain in the ass... these two are a comic duo... the element of humour makes the game fun to play, and some really nice long ramp shots... love the jackpot sounds...
8.360/10
12 years ago
Paragon Bally, 1979
The game that really got me into pinball... the first game I looked for when realising I wanted to buy a game, and the 2nd game I bought... like the wide body and the shot to the in-line targets is appealing. Game play is overall a bit limited though.
9.800/10
12 years ago
Medieval Madness Williams, 1997
What can I say that hasn't already been said about this game... It really does live up to its hype!
7.681/10
12 years ago
The Machine: Bride of Pinbot Williams, 1991
The first game I ever bought... was addicted for 2 years to it, but got 'too good' at it... could stay on indefinitely... so it was crazy to play it in the end... I should have adjusted the maximum extra balls allowed, but I was young and stupid ;-)
8.566/10
12 years ago
Locomotion Zaccaria, 1981
A very nice game with beautiful artwork... sounds are very much like the Defender video game.
8.828/10
12 years ago
Iron Maiden Stern Electronics, 1982
Stunning machine, but for some reason the gameplay doesn't quite hit the spot. A definite keeper for me though... the artwork is astounding... and what IS that thing in the woman's hand on the upper playfield?? Looks like an industrial vibrator for settling concrete!! The mind boggles! :-)
9.717/10
12 years ago
Haunted House Gottlieb, 1982
For me, just watching the ball roll around on this game is enought to satisfy my every pinball need!... there is a kind of magic to it that I can't explain...
8.176/10
12 years ago
Fire! Williams, 1987
I remember playing this game a lot when it first hit the arcades... I got so much into it that I had a very vivd dream that night that I was playing it and making the ramp shot into the window... or was I the ball flying into the window... anyway, it clearly left a great impression!
8.428/10
12 years ago
Eight Ball Deluxe Bally, 1981
I used to love this game when it first appeared on the scene... I still love it infact... it's only drawback is that anyone who likes games from this era seems to have one, so it can get a bit boring from that aspect... "oh, you've got an Eight Ball Deluxe too... have you got something else to show me!" Finding one with a perfect original playfield is rare, so seeing a very nice example is always a treat!
5.504/10
12 years ago
Charlie's Angels Gottlieb, 1978
Boring game I think... nice backglass though... that's the best thing about this game.
9.120/10
12 years ago
Bram Stoker's Dracula Williams, 1993
I like the video mode... and many other things about this game... an all round winner!
7.195/10
12 years ago
Blackbelt Zaccaria, 1986
Bit dissapointing to play, but I've only had a few games... the sounds/music also let it down.
After a few more games on this, I have a better feel for how it plays... It's a bit like an add-a-ball, you can rack up extra balls on a counter on the backglass, and that's how to play the game: Max out your extra ball count and then go for things that score points. More enjoyable than I originally thought.
After a few more games on this, I have a better feel for how it plays... It's a bit like an add-a-ball, you can rack up extra balls on a counter on the backglass, and that's how to play the game: Max out your extra ball count and then go for things that score points. More enjoyable than I originally thought.
8.925/10
12 years ago
Black Knight Williams, 1980
One of the pins I used to play as a kid in Strads Cafe in Rotherham, so has a special attachment to me... Much better than the BK2K that followed... gameplay is a little repetative though.
9.212/10
12 years ago
Black Hole Gottlieb, 1981
The sounds on this game are, for me, the highlight of this game... I love that early 80's electronic drone... and a beautiful game too... most system 80's have a charm to them, and of course the reverse angled inner playfield is a treat!
9.040/10
12 years ago
Baywatch Sega, 1995
I'm not a big fan of DMD games generally, but this games keeps me coming back for more... the right flipper has to be pretty strong though to make the lock, so if this isn't at it's best, it can be frustrating. Nice to have a game with not much aggression and some dolphin sounds :)
9.406/10
12 years ago
Orbitor 1 Stern Electronics, 1982
A truely mind bending game... feels like you've just walked off a boat after a rough sea crossing after playing it for a while! I love the spinning bumpers and all the physics around them... in fact the ball motion on the entire game is unique and amazing... just watching the ball is a buzz on this game! Several people have said that it's impossible to control the ball on this game... not true... you have to play it a few times to get the hand of it... it's a different set of rules for ball control, that's all... get used to it and you can control it and aim successfully at things, just like on a flat playfield...
9.366/10
12 years ago
Mephisto Unidesa, 1987
The artwork on this game is for me what makes this special, especially the bondage lady in the middle of the playfield... the bat 'hologram' is kind of funny too! Gameplay isn't as boring as I expected, some nice shots to the ramps and a kind of strategy... keeps me coming back to play more! The fact that this game actually works is a massive bonus 'cos I'd have no idea how to fix it if it broke!!
9.747/10
12 years ago
Farfalla Zaccaria, 1983
It's excellent in many aspects, especially the sexy female Italian accent voice... this is one of my favourite tables ever, I can't think of a single thing to say against it... the artwork is stunning, if a bit drug inspired, the sounds are awsome, 6 flippers (if you include the outlane save flippers), an upper playfield with several DTs and a movable ramp to get there, neon light in the backglass with moulded 3D art... not only can you see the large breasts, you can feel 'em!! ;-)
